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Hormones
FSH
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and is important for women in the production of eggs by the ovaries and for men in the production of sperm. In the first half of the menstrual cycle in women, FSH stimulates the enlargement of follicles within the ovaries. Each of these follicles will help to increase oestradiol levels. One follicle will become dominant and will be released by the ovary (ovulation), after which follicle stimulating hormone levels drop during the second half of the menstrual cycle. In men, FSH acts on the seminiferous tubules of the testicles where they stimulate immature sperm cells to develop into mature sperm.
Special instructions
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Blood Test by following these instructions. Take this test two to five days after the start of your period, ideally on day three. It can be taken any time if you do not have periods. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Hormonal contraception can affect the results of this test. Taking a break from this and waiting for your periods to restart before your blood test will give more accurate results.
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FAQs
Who should take this test?
NICE recommends that FSH testing is only considered to diagnose menopause in women aged 40-45 with menopausal symptoms (including a change in their menstrual cycle) or in women under 40 where menopause is suspected.
Could mt test show normal pre-menopausal levels?
Due to significant fluctuation in FSH levels around the time of menopause, there is a chance that this test may show normal pre-menopause levels of FSH in someone who is going through, or has been through, menopause.
What can FSH tell me?
Levels of FSH rise as egg production declines, so it is used in certain circumstances to assess the likelihood of whether a woman is going through menopause.