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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 of one menstrual cycle

FSH levels in one cycle

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
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