Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - plasma
Last updated: Thursday, 15, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in lithium heparin tube. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | Method dependent, and related to menstrual cycle in females. Female: 1.0-8.0 U/L Adult male: 1.0-5.0 U/L (age related). |
| Application | Investigation of gonadal hypofunction, suspected pituitary tumour. |
| Interpretation | Levels are increased when pituitary secretion occurs in the absence of feedback inhibition by gonadal androgens or oestrogens (primary gonadal hypofunction, post-menopausal state, castration). Increased levels may also be seen with pituitary gonadotroph tumours, although some tumours secrete only the α subunit. Levels are decreased if ovarian or testicular failure is due to pituitary or hypothalamic disease. |
| Reference | Thorner MO et al and Carr |