Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a peptide substance secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which is responsible for stimulating the ovarian follicles to produce estrogens. What is the role of follicle stimulating hormone? When is it worth testing your FSH level and what are the standards? How to interpret the FSH result?

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, follicle stimulating hormone)belongs to the family of proteins, more precisely it is a glycoprotein composed of over 200 amino acids that have been divided into two subunits. It is not a substance characteristic of the female sex, and in response to folliculoliberin, the hypothalamic factor also appears in the serum of men. The entire secretion mechanism is based on the feedback principle, and the concentration of estradiol is the factor that stimulates the entire metabolic pathway. The secretion of FSH in women is strictly dependent on the phase of the menstrual cycle and fluctuations in this level vary at different stages of the cycle. FSH is metabolized in the urine.

FSH - what is he responsible for?

The role of FSH is different among the female and male populations.

In the case of women, it is responsible for stimulating the maturation of ovarian follicles to produce estrogens. In addition, it increases the activity of the aromatase enzyme, which is involved in the pathway of converting androgens to estrogens. Androgens are male hormones, the equivalent of estrogens.

On the other hand, in men, the action of FSH focuses on stimulating the growth of the seminal tubes, thus increasing the production of sperm. In addition, it affects the secretion of the protein that binds androgens and has a great impact on the effect of testosterone.

FSH - application

Much attention has been paid to the molecular structure of the hormone and attempts have been made to use its properties. There are indications of an artificial follicle stimulating hormone obtained from the urine of menopausal women, when its concentration clearly increases, and the subsequent administration of the compound to women suffering from infertility, which is to stimulate ovulation.

In turn, recent studies show that a large group of cancers affecting the male and female population have follicle stimulating receptors within cancer cells. This is important information, because in the future it is worth thinking about drugs the mechanism of which will be based onblocking these receptors, thereby partially neutralizing the action of cancer cells.

FSH - indications for the test

The most colloquial reasons why it is worth assessing the level of the hormone are the diagnosis of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, but in combination with the LH level, in men together with testosterone to assess sperm development.

Other reasons for marking FSH:

  • irregular menstrual bleeding
  • menopause
  • disorders in the maturation process, which may be an indicator of pituitary and hypothalamic insufficiency
  • in men every case of reproductive failure, looking for the cause of infertility
  • hypogonadism, or underdevelopment of gonads

FSH - standards

The test involves taking a blood sample from the patient and does not require any special preparation, including leaving it on an empty stomach.

FSH values ​​change periodically with the phases of the menstrual cycle as well as with age. And so the correct values ​​for different periods in a woman's life are as follows:

  • in follicle-stimulating phase - 1.4 - 9.6 IU / l
  • during ovulation 2.3-21 IU / l
  • in the luteal phase 2-8 IU / l
  • in menopausal women - 42-188IU / l.

In the case of men, this level is constant and ranges from 1.4 - 12 IU / l.

High and Low FSH - Results

Each obtained result should be interpreted by a doctor.

Increased FSH concentrationis observed in the case of primary ovarian failure, e.g. in the course of polycystic ovary syndrome or in the postmenopausal period. In men, high FSH levels may indicate primary hypogonadism as diagnosed in Klinefelter's syndrome.

In addition, it is an indicator of abnormal spermatogenesis, i.e. reduced sperm production, which may occur in response to infectious agents that cause damage to the testicles.

Reduced FSHin women indicates pituitary insufficiency, which in turn leads to secondary ovarian failure. It can also be a reflection of a pituitary tumor or be a side effect of some pharmacotherapy. In men, it is a symptom of, for example, secondary testicular failure.

  • TSH results: norm. What does too low or too high TSH mean?
  • Hormonal tests in men - norms for sex hormones in men
  • Research on sex hormones in women - norms. When to do hormonal tests?

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