FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) is a hormone, released from the anterior pituitary gland. It is a gonadotropin, stimulating the ovary to produce hormones and ovulate. 

FSH causes an ovarian follicle to develop and drives the pre-ovulatory rise in estrogen.

There is spike of FSH coincidental with the LH surge. These lead to ovulation within a few hours.

Elevations found in:

  • Ovulation
  • Ovarian failure
  • Testicular Feminization Syndrome

Decreases found in:

  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO, Stein-Levinthal Syndrome)
  • Amenorrhea-Galactorrhea Syndrome
  • Pituitary failure

Normal Values*

Men 4-25 mIU/ml

Women

 4-30 mIU/ml
Women
     (Midcycle)		 2 x baseline
Women 
     (Menopausal)		 40-250 mIU/ml

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

FSH levels in one cycle
 

OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
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