Insight into your FSHlevel.
FSH is a hormone from the pituitary gland that drives the maturation of the follicles in women and plays a role in sperm production in men. With personal explanation from our doctors.
Also known as: follicle stimulating hormone
Interpreted by BIG-registered doctors
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Background
What is FSH?
FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone. It is produced in the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. In women, FSH drives the maturation of the follicles in the ovaries. In men, FSH plays a role in sperm production in the testes. In doing so, FSH works closely together with LH.
In women, FSH varies across the cycle, so the timing of the blood draw determines the result. Please tell us at intake where you are in your cycle, or that you no longer have a cycle. FSH is assessed together with LH, for example for questions about the menopause or fertility. Our doctor looks at the pattern of both hormones, combined with oestradiol or testosterone.
In brief
From the pituitary
Drives the ovaries and testes
Follicles
In women follicles mature on FSH
Sperm production
In men involved in spermatogenesis
Cycle-dependent
The point in the cycle sets the value
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your FSH be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring FSH can provide insight.
With questions about the menopause
Around the menopause, the signalling from the pituitary gland changes. FSH and LH together give insight into this.
With questions about fertility
FSH is one of the hormones reviewed for fertility questions, alongside LH, oestradiol, and prolactin.
With an irregular cycle
With an irregular or absent cycle, FSH is measured together with LH. The point in the cycle determines how the result is read.
With a low testosterone level
FSH and LH show whether a low testosterone level fits better with the testes or with the signalling from the pituitary gland.
During or after hormone use
Anabolic steroids and testosterone replacement therapy suppress FSH production. A measurement gives insight into your own signalling.
For follow-up of a previous measurement
Those who previously had an abnormal value can repeat the test to track it over time. Please state the point in your cycle again.
What your result means
How do we read your FSH level?
FSH is measured in international units per litre (IU/L, also written as U/L). The laboratory provides the reference ranges. In women these depend on the phase of the cycle and on the menopause, so please tell us where you are in your cycle. FSH is assessed together with LH. A single measurement is not a diagnosis, our doctor places the result in your context.
A low value
A low FSH value means the pituitary gland provides little signalling to the ovaries or the testes. Combined with a low oestradiol or a low testosterone, this can point to a problem in the signalling from the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. Backgrounds include hormone use, prolonged stress, marked weight loss, very intensive training, and a raised prolactin. Our doctor provides context for your value.
A normal value
An FSH value within the laboratory reference range, appropriate for your sex and point in the cycle, indicates that the signalling from the pituitary gland is not clearly disturbed. If symptoms persist, our doctor also considers the wider picture, such as LH, oestradiol or testosterone, thyroid function, and prolactin.
An elevated value
An elevated FSH value means the pituitary gland is signalling harder, usually because the ovaries or the testes respond less well. In women, FSH rises around and after the menopause, as the ovaries become less active. In men, a raised FSH can indicate reduced sperm production in the testes. Our doctor assesses the value together with LH and your other results.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors assess your FSH value against the laboratory reference ranges and your personal context, such as sex, age, point in the cycle, and medication use. You receive a report in plain language, as a starting point for your own insight or a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Related tests
Often combined with FSH.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine FSH with a theme package or related markers.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Do I need to fast for an FSH test?
No, you do not need to fast for an FSH measurement. If you measure FSH together with testosterone, we do recommend having your blood drawn in the morning, as testosterone follows a daily rhythm.
When in my cycle should I have FSH measured?
For a picture of the baseline signalling, blood is often drawn early in the cycle, in the first days after your period starts. Always tell us at intake which cycle day you are on. Without that information the result cannot be assessed properly, because the laboratory applies different reference ranges per phase of the cycle.
What is the difference between FSH and LH?
Both come from the pituitary gland and drive the sex glands. FSH drives the maturation of the follicles in women and plays a role in sperm production in men. LH triggers ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. The two are assessed together.
Does FSH say anything about the menopause?
FSH is one of the values reviewed for questions about the menopause, as the pituitary gland signals harder when the ovaries become less active. A single measurement does not settle the matter, though. Your doctor looks at your symptoms, your cycle, your age, and your other hormone values.
Which factors influence my FSH value?
In women mainly the point in the cycle and the menopause. Beyond that, contraception and other hormone therapy, the use of anabolic steroids, a raised prolactin, marked weight loss, very intensive training, and prolonged stress all play a role.
Does FSH say anything about my sperm production?
FSH gives indirect information about sperm production, but it does not replace a semen analysis. For a concrete question about fertility, semen testing via your GP or a clinic remains the appropriate investigation.
How often should I measure FSH?
A single measurement is usually sufficient for insight. With an abnormal value, re-testing is common, for women preferably at a comparable point in the cycle.
What do I do with my result?
You will receive a PDF report with your value and an explanation from our doctor. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP or gynaecologist, remains entirely your choice.
Ready for insight into your FSH level?
For €69 you receive your FSH level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within a few working days. No referral required.
Order FSH for €69 →Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine FSH with other markers via Bloodworks Select. Blood draw costs are waived from €225.
69,-
All-in, blood draw included