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.