FSH

Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)

See Also	Lab Tests

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is used to evaluate pituitary function, especially as it relates to fertility issues, gonadal failure, maturation concerns or pituitary tumors.

Discussion

• FSH is made by the pituitary gland. Control of FSH production is a complex system involving hormones produced by the ovaries or testes, the pituitary and the hypothalamus.
• In women, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of eggs (follicles) in the ovaries during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
• In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce mature sperm and also promotes the production of androgen binding proteins.
• Indications for measuring FSH include:

• difficulty getting pregnant
• irregular menstrual periods
• symptoms of pituitary or hypothalamic disorders
• symptoms of ovarian or testicular disease
• delayed or early childhood sexual maturation
• menopause

Patient Preparation

• No fasting required.
• FSH can be measured in blood or urine.

• Factors which can cause increased levels

• radiation therapy
• Medications such as cimetidine, digitalis, levodopa, anticonvulsants, clomiphene, naloxone, and spironalactone

• Factors which can cause decreased levels

• radiation therapy
• Medications such as estrogens, progesterones, testosterone, steroids, digoxin, oral contraceptives, and phenothiazines.
• stress
• malnutrition
• anorexia nervosa

Clinical Implications

High levels indicate:

• primary ovarian failure

• failure to develop ovaries
• Turner's syndrome, Kalllmann's syndrome
• Defect in steroid production by the ovaries, such as 17 alpha hydroxylase deficiency
• radiation
• chemotherapy
• autoimmune disease
• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Adrenal disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Ovarian tumor

• primary testicular failure

• failure to develop gonads
• Klinefelters syndrome
• viral infection (mumps)
• trauma
• radiation
• chemotherapy
• Autoimmune disease
• germ cell tumor

Low levels indicate:

• pituitary failure
• hypothalamic failure
• secondary ovarian failure
• increased risk of Ovarian Cancer

Associated Tests

• Estrogens, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Testosterone, Progesterone