Why fsh test is done

If you have questions about your results or your child's results, talk to your health care provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. There is an at-home test that measures FSH levels in urine. The kit is designed for women who want to find out if certain symptoms such as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes may be due to menopause or perimenopause. The test can show whether you have high FSH levels, a sign of menopause or perimenopause.

But it doesn't diagnose either condition. After taking the test, you should talk with your health care provider about the results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is a follicle-stimulating hormone FSH levels test? In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries.

FSH levels in women change throughout the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels happening just before an egg is released by the ovary. This is known as ovulation. In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm. Normally, FSH levels in men do not change very much. In children, FSH levels are usually low until puberty , when levels begin to rise.

In girls, it helps signal the ovaries to make estrogen. In boys, it helps signal the testes to make testosterone. Other names: follitropin, FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone: serum. What is it used for?

In women, these tests are most often used to: Help find the cause of infertility Find out if there is a problem with ovarian function Find the reason for irregular or stopped menstrual periods Confirm the start of menopause , or perimenopause. Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods have stopped and she can't become pregnant anymore. It usually starts when a woman is around 50 years old.

Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause. It can last for several years. FSH testing may be done towards the end of this transition. In men, these tests are most often used to: Help find the cause of infertility Find the reason for a low sperm count Find out if there is a problem with the testicles In children, these tests are most often used to help diagnose early or delayed puberty. Puberty is considered early if it starts before age 9 in girls and before age 10 in boys.

Puberty is considered delayed if it hasn't started by age 13 in girls and by age 14 in boys. Why do I need an FSH levels test? This could indicate a less than ideal quality and quantity of eggs in the ovaries. This is a normal part of aging and is more common in women age 38 or older.

However, even young women can have high FSH levels. For example, a woman in her 20s may have high FSH levels if she's experiencing primary ovarian insufficiency premature ovarian failure. The researchers found that some women responded well to treatment, while others did not. Those who did respond had decent pregnancy success rates. The researchers concluded that the best way to know if fertility drugs will work is to try them.

FSH levels can also be abnormally low. This is usually in combination with low luteinizing hormone LH levels and may indicate a problem with the functioning of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which are two parts of the brain that play important roles in ovulation. FSH levels can help you understand if you have any underlying reproductive issues related to your fertility.

High levels of FSH may indicate poor ovarian reserves. FSH levels are also used to evaluate whether in vitro fertilization IVF treatment or injectable fertility drugs could be effective. Women with high FSH levels or poor ovarian reserves are less likely to respond to high doses of fertility drugs. Depending on how high FSH levels are, some doctors will discourage IVF treatment because the cycle is more likely to be canceled or fail.

The body will try to fix the problem by increasing FSH. In a woman with good ovarian reserves, injected FSH will lead to strong egg growth in her ovaries. In a woman with poor ovarian reserves, the ovaries will not respond as well. Your doctor may just need to try a different protocol. If a doctor tells you that IVF is not possible without using an egg donor, get a second opinion before moving forward.

Another doctor may have an approach that could work better for your individual situation and needs. They are just one factor to take into consideration. The blood test is like any other blood test. Your doctor will tell you when to have the test done.

For the test, a nurse will draw blood from a vein in your arm. You may feel a small pinch, but the test is generally pain-free and simple. There are also at-home FSH tests available to purchase, though it's worth noting that they're not as reliable.

These work similarly to a pregnancy test in that you test your hormone levels with urine. The test could tell you if your levels are too high, but it may still give you a "normal" indication even if a fertility specialist would have declared your levels higher than normal.

The timing for FSH testing is crucial. Because FSH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle, the normal range varies by day. For basic fertility testing and to evaluate ovarian reserves, you need to have the blood test on day 3 of your menstrual cycle day 1 is the day your period begins. However, most doctors are OK with the test being done on any day between days 2 to 4. FSH levels may also be checked at another time during the menstrual cycle, but this isn't a common approach, as results may not be as accurate.

One reason why FSH testing is considered less useful than other ovarian reserve testing methods is the requirement that it has to be tested at a particular time. Also, FSH levels can vary not only throughout the menstrual cycle but also from cycle to cycle.

You can get a normal test value one month and an abnormal test value the next. Sometimes FSH levels are normal, but day 3 estradiol levels are abnormally high. If your estradiol is high, but your FSH levels are normal, you may still have poor ovarian reserves. When estrogen levels are high, the body lowers FSH in response. A normal range will vary between labs, as a normal value at one clinic may be considered abnormally high in another. Speak to your doctor for an accurate interpretation.

Editorial team. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. How to Prepare for the Test If you are a woman of childbearing age, your health care provider may want you to have the test done on certain days of your menstrual cycle. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate: Menopause Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome , ovarian cysts Abnormal vaginal or menstrual bleeding Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility In men, FSH stimulates production of sperm.

The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate: Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility Men who do not have testicles or whose testicles are underdeveloped In children, FSH is involved with the development of sexual features. The test is ordered for children: Who develop sexual features at a very young age Who are delayed in starting puberty. Male: Before puberty - 0 to 5. What Abnormal Results Mean High FSH levels in women may be present: During or after menopause, including premature menopause When receiving hormone therapy Due to certain types of tumor in the pituitary gland Due to Turner syndrome Low FSH levels in women may be present due to: Being very underweight or having had recent rapid weight loss Not producing eggs not ovulating Parts of the brain the pituitary gland or hypothalamus not producing normal amounts of some or all of its hormones Pregnancy High FSH levels in men may mean the testicles are not functioning correctly due to: Advancing age male menopause Damage to testicles caused by alcohol abuse, chemotherapy, or radiation Problems with genes, such as Klinefelter syndrome Treatment with hormones Certain tumors in the pituitary gland Low FSH levels in men may mean parts of the brain the pituitary gland or hypothalamus do not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.

High FSH levels in boys or girls may mean that puberty is about to start. Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma blood accumulating under the skin Infection a slight risk any time the skin is broken.

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