Hormone Testing at Access Medical Laboratories

HORMONE INFORMATION - FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE

What is it?

A follicle-stimulating hormone test measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your body. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland.

In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and is highest just before she releases an egg (ovulates).

In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm. The amount of FSH in men normally remains constant.

The amounts of FSH and other hormones (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are measured in both a man and a woman to determine why the couple cannot become pregnant (infertility). The FSH level can help determine whether male or female sex organs (testicles or ovaries) are functioning properly.

Why It Is Done?

A follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test may be done to:

Help find the cause of infertility. FSH testing is commonly used to help evaluate a:

• Woman's egg supply (ovarian reserve).
• Man's low sperm count.
• Help evaluate menstrual problems, such as irregular or absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea). This can help determine whether the woman has gone through menopause. Determine whether a child is going through early puberty (also called precocious puberty). Puberty is early when it starts in girls younger than age 9 and in boys younger than age 10.
• Determine why sexual features or organs are not developing when they should (delayed puberty).
• Help diagnose certain pituitary gland disorders, such as a tumor.

HORMONE IMBALANCE SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN Allergy symptoms Depression, Fatigue, Anxiety Endometriosis Fibrocystic breasts Hair loss, facial hair growth Headaches, dizziness Low sex drive Osteoporosis PMS Urinary tract infection Weight gain Wrinkly skin

HORMONE IMBALANCE SYMPTOMS IN MEN Difficulty passing urine Mood swings Inability to lose weight Fatigue Foggy thinking, Memory loss Lack of interest in sex Reduced muscle strength Erectile dysfunction Enlarged prostate Burning sensation urinating Panic, weeping Blood sugar imbalance

RESOURCES:

1. DiPiro, et al. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 2007. Chapter 82, page 1313.

2. Page 1125 in: Walter F., PhD. Boron (2003). Medical Physiology: A Cellular And Molecular Approaoch. Elsevier/Saunders. pp. 1300. ISBN 1-4160-2328-3.

3. High-resolution reference ranges for estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in men and women using the AxSYM assay system Anand S. Dighea, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Joseph M. Moya, Frances J. Hayesb and Patrick M. Slussa. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2004.10.011