FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
Abbreviation
FSH
Preferred Specimen
Serum
Minimum Volume
0.5mL
Alternative Specimens
None
Collection Instructions
Routine venipuncture
Transport Container
Draw tube or plastic pour off tube
Transport Temp
Frozen
Stability
- 2-8 C for 24 hours
- -20C up to 12 months
Methodology
CLIA (chemiluminescent immunoassay)
Reference Ranges
- Men 0.9-10.9 mIU/mL
- Women:premenopausal Follicular phase: 3.0-8.1 mIU/mL Periovulatory phase: 3.9-23.1 mIU/mL Luteal phase: 1.3-5.6 mIU/mL
- Women: postmenopausal without hormone therasy: 11.9-108.7 mIU/mL under hormone therapy: 1.4-85.0 mIU/mL
Clinical Significance
LH and FSH play an important role in the detection of dysfunctions of the pituitary-ovarian axis, clinically manifested by amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, anovulatoric cycles and menorrhagia. In men, determination of gonadotrophins is mainly used for the differentiation between primary and secondary hypogonadism. In children and juveniles, LH and FSH determinations are indicated in case of either precocious or delayed puberty.