nih-gov/medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/index.html
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

765 lines
48 KiB
HTML
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" id="lab_test" class="nojs us" data-root="https://medlineplus.gov/">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top" />
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-niveles-de-la-hormona-foliculoestimulante-fsh/" />
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary" />
<meta name="description" content="This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. FSH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png" />
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTest_Share2.jpg" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share3.jpg" />
<meta property="og:description" content="This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. FSH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@medlineplus" />
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@medlineplus" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. FSH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content=""/>
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="" />
<title>Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?1738957218168" />
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"> <![endif]-->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css" />
<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className = document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className.replace( /(?:^|\s)nojs(?!\S)/g , '').trim();</script>
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
</head>
<body>
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="googletagmanager"></iframe></noscript>
<a name="top" id="top"></a>
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
<section
class="usa-banner"
aria-label="Official website of the United States government"
>
<div class="usa-accordion">
<header class="usa-banner__header">
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
<div class="grid-col-auto">
<img
aria-hidden="true"
class="usa-banner__header-flag"
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png"
alt=""
/>
</div>
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
An official website of the United States government
</p>
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Heres how you know</p>
</div>
<button
type="button"
class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button"
aria-expanded="false"
aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default"
>
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Heres how you know</span>
</button>
</div>
</header>
<div
class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content"
id="gov-banner-default-default"
>
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
<img
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg"
role="img"
alt=""
aria-hidden="true"
/>
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br />A
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
<img
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg"
role="img"
alt=""
aria-hidden="true"
/>
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
<p>
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br />A
<strong>lock</strong> (
<span class="icon-lock"
><svg
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
width="52"
height="64"
viewBox="0 0 52 64"
class="usa-banner__lock-image"
role="img"
aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default"
focusable="false"
>
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
<path
fill="#000000"
fill-rule="evenodd"
d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"
/>
</svg> </span
>) or <strong>https://</strong> means youve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<div id="mplus-wrap">
<header>
<div id="mplus-header">
<div id="mplus-orgs">
<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" class="nih-org" target="_blank" title="National Institutes of Health">
<img class="nihlogo" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" alt="National Institutes of Health"/>
</a><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank"> National Library of Medicine</a>
</div>
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/">
<img alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png"/>
</a>
</div>
<div id="mplus-nav">
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
<button id="sm-menu-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Menu" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" type="submit">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu"></span></button>
<ul id="mplus-menu-list" class="nav-list">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
</ul><button id="sm-search-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Search" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-search" type="submit"><span class="hide-offscreen"></span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search"></span></button>
<div class="top-1">
<form id="mplus-search" method="get" action="https://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" title="Search MedlinePlus" target="_self">
<input type="hidden" name="v:project" value="medlineplus"/>
<input type="hidden" name="v:sources" value="medlineplus-bundle"/>
<div class="form-box text-combo">
<div class="form-area"><label class="hide-offscreen" for="searchtext_primary">Search MedlinePlus</label>
<input id="searchtext_primary" class="form-text" type="text" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" alt="#Site Search input" title="Site Search input" maxlength="400" size="40" name="query" autocomplete="off" role="textbox" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true"/>
</div>
<div class="button-area">
<button class="form-btn" title="Search MedlinePlus" alt="Search MedlinePlus" type="submit">GO</button>
</div>
</div>
</form>
<div class="secondarynav">
<ul class="nav-list">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
<ul class="nav-list">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<a id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-niveles-de-la-hormona-foliculoestimulante-fsh/" title="Español">Español</a>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div id="mplus-content">
<div id="breadcrumbs">
<div itemprop="breadcrumb" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">
<span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
&rarr;
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
</div>
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Tests</span></a>
&rarr;
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
</div>
<div>
<span>Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/</span>
<div >
<article>
<div class="page-info">
<div class="page-title">
<a name="start" id="start"></a>
<h1>Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test</h1>
</div>
<div class="page-actions"></div>
<noscript><span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span></noscript>
</div>
<div class="main">
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test?</h2>
<p>This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating <a data-tid="1499" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html">hormone</a> (FSH) in a sample of your blood. A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. FSH plays an important role in sexual development in children and fertility in adults.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>In women who <a data-tid="325" href="https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html">menstruate</a></strong> (have periods), FSH helps control the menstrual cycle. It triggers the growth of eggs in the ovaries and gets the eggs ready for ovulation. Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg so it can travel down a fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm.</li>
<li><strong>In men</strong>, FSH helps control the amount of sperm that the testicles (testes) make. It also affects how healthy the sperm are.</li>
<li><strong>In children</strong>, FSH levels are normally low until <a data-tid="5569" href="https://medlineplus.gov/puberty.html">puberty</a> starts. Then FSH levels begin to rise along with the levels of other hormones. The increase in all these hormones triggers the physical changes of puberty:
<ul>
<li><strong>In girls</strong>, FSH tells the ovaries to start making the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is involved in the growth of breasts, body hair, and menstruation.</li>
<li><strong>In boys</strong>, FSH tells the testicles to start making the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is involved in the growth of facial and body hair, changes in a boy's voice, and sperm production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>FSH levels are controlled by a complex system of hormones made in different parts of your body. Abnormal levels of FSH may be a sign of a problem with any of these parts. They include your:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a data-tid="362" href="https://medlineplus.gov/pituitarydisorders.html">Pituitary gland</a></strong>, a small gland at the base of your brain. It makes FSH.</li>
<li><strong>Hypothalamus</strong>, a part of your brain. It makes hormones that tell your pituitary gland how much FSH to make.</li>
<li><strong>Reproductive glands</strong>, your ovaries or testicles. The amount of sex hormones they make let your hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when to start and stop making FSH.</li>
</ul>
<p>Other names: follitropin, FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone: serum, pituitary gonadotropins</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is it used for?</h2>
<p>FSH testing is used to help diagnose conditions that cause too much or too little FSH. The specific way the test is used depends on your sex and age.</p>
<p><strong>In women</strong>, an FSH test may be used to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Help find the cause of <a data-tid="5654" href="https://medlineplus.gov/femaleinfertility.html">infertility</a></li>
<li>Check for medical conditions that affect how the <a data-tid="5804" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ovariandisorders.html">ovaries</a> work</li>
<li>Find the reason for irregular or stopped menstrual periods in women of childbearing age</li>
<li>Find out when a woman is most likely to get pregnant</li>
<li>Find out if menopause or perimenopause may have begun:
<ul>
<li><strong><a data-tid="62" href="https://medlineplus.gov/menopause.html">Menopause</a></strong> happens when the ovaries stop making certain hormones, and menstrual periods have stopped for 12 months in a row. This usually happens around age 50.
</li>
<li><strong>Perimenopause</strong> is the time leading up to menopause when hormones and periods begin to change. It usually starts around age 45.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In men</strong>, an FSH test may be used to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Help find the cause of <a data-tid="5656" href="https://medlineplus.gov/maleinfertility.html">infertility</a></li>
<li>Find the reason for a low sperm count</li>
<li>Check for medical <a data-tid="4280" href="https://medlineplus.gov/testiculardisorders.html">conditions that affect the testicles</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In women and men</strong>, FSH testing may be used to help diagnose disorders of the:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pituitary gland</li>
<li>Hypothalamus</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>In children and teens</strong>, FSH testing is most often used to find out if a medical disorder is causing early or delayed (late) puberty.</p>
<p>An FSH test is often used with a blood test for another hormone made in the pituitary gland called <a data-pid="6261" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/">luteinizing hormone</a> (LH). These two hormones work together to control sexual development and reproduction. Blood tests to check <a data-pid="881" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/estrogen-levels-test/">estrogen</a>, <a data-pid="782" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/">testosterone</a>, and <a data-pid="844" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/progesterone-test/">progesterone</a> levels are also commonly used with FSH testing.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need an FSH levels test?</h2>
<p><strong>For women:</strong>
<br/>You may need this test if:</p>
<ul>
<li>You've been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying.</li>
<li>
Your menstrual periods aren't regular or have stopped.
<br/> If you're age 45 or older, testing usually isn't needed. That's because high levels of FSH are a normal sign of perimenopause and menopause. As your ovaries release fewer eggs, your body makes more hormones to try to trigger ovulation. But you may need an FSH test along with other hormone tests if there is a medical reason, including:
<ul>
<li>Premature menopause (age 40 or younger)</li>
<li>Early menopause (before age 45)</li>
<li>Having symptoms that may be related to menopause, but the cause isn't clear</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>You have a less interest in sex than usual.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>For men:</strong>
<br/>You may need this test if:</p>
<ul>
<li>You've been unable to get your partner pregnant after 12 months of trying.</li>
<li>You have less interest in sex than usual.</li>
<li>You have a low sperm count.</li>
<li>You have a loss of muscle and/or body hair.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>For women and men:</strong>
<br/>You may need an FSH test if your health care provider thinks you could have a pituitary disorder. Pituitary problems can affect fertility and decrease your interest in sex. They may also cause symptoms, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li><a data-tid="5324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html">Fatigue</a></li>
<li>Weakness</li>
<li>Decreased appetite and/or weight loss</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Children and teens</strong> may need FSH testing if puberty seems to be starting too early or too late:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Early puberty</strong> means showing signs of sexual development before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys.</li>
<li><strong>Delayed puberty</strong> means not showing signs of sexual development by age 13 in girls and age 14 in boys.</li>
</ul></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during an FSH levels test?</h2>
<p>A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
<p>Women who have menstrual periods may need to be tested at a specific time during their menstrual cycle. That's because FSH levels change throughout the month.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test?</h2>
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
<p>To understand the results of your FSH test, your provider will consider your sex, age, symptoms, medical history, and the results of other hormone tests, especially your level of luteinizing hormone (LH). Your provider can explain what the results of your FSH test mean.</p>
<p><strong>Generally, in women and men:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Higher levels of FSH</strong> are often a sign of a condition in the reproductive glands (ovaries or testicles) that prevents them from making normal levels of sex hormones. The pituitary responds by making more FSH to try to get them to work properly. High FSH may also be a sign of a condition outside of the reproductive glands that affects how the glands work.</p>
<p>Conditions linked to high FSH levels include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>In women:</strong>
<ul>
<li>Ovaries that never developed normally</li>
<li><a data-tid="3684" href="https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html">Primary ovarian insufficiency</a> (POI)</li>
<li><a data-tid="5912" href="https://medlineplus.gov/polycysticovarysyndrome.html">Polycystic ovary syndrome</a> (PCOS)</li>
<li>Menopause or perimenopause</li>
<li>An ovarian tumor</li>
<li><a data-tid="439" href="https://medlineplus.gov/thyroiddiseases.html">Thyroid diseases</a> or <a data-tid="128" href="https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html">adrenal gland disorders</a></li>
<li>A <a data-pid="20111" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/chromosome/">chromosomal</a> disorder, such as <a data-tid="1504" href="https://medlineplus.gov/turnersyndrome.html">Turner syndrome</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In men:</strong>
<ul>
<li>A germ cell tumor (a tumor that starts in the cells that become sperm)</li>
<li><a data-tid="334" href="https://medlineplus.gov/mumps.html">Mumps</a></li>
<li>A physical injury to the testicles</li>
<li>A chromosomal disorder, such as <a data-tid="1524" href="https://medlineplus.gov/klinefeltersyndrome.html">Klinefelter syndrome</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In women and men</strong>, damage to the ovaries or testicles, which may be caused by:
<ul>
<li><a data-tid="154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html">Autoimmune disease</a></li>
<li>
<p><a data-tid="2724" href="https://medlineplus.gov/radiationtherapy.html">Radiation therapy</a> and/or <a data-tid="464" href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">chemotherapy</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lower than normal levels of FSH in women and men</strong> are often a sign of a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. These problems may make it hard for your body to make FSH and LH.
<br/>
<br/>
<p>In women, low FSH levels may also be linked to rapid weight loss, being very <a data-tid="5610" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bodyweight.html">underweight</a>, or extreme exercise.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Generally, in children with signs of early sexual development</strong> (before age 8 in girls or age 9 in boys):</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>High levels of FSH and LH</strong> mean the child has early puberty, also called precocious puberty. In most cases, the cause is unknown. But in certain cases, the cause is a problem in the brain, such as:
<ul>
<li>A <a data-tid="4177" href="https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodbraintumors.html">brain tumor</a></li>
<li>A past <a data-tid="271" href="https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.html">brain injury</a></li>
<li>A past brain infection, such as <a data-tid="324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/meningitis.html">meningitis</a> or <a data-tid="241" href="https://medlineplus.gov/encephalitis.html">encephalitis</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Normal levels of FSH and LH</strong> mean the child has a type of early puberty called peripheral precocious puberty. This often means that a disorder in the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal glands is causing higher than normal levels of estrogen or testosterone. Severe <a data-tid="6175" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hypothyroidism.html">hypothyroidism</a> and exposure to medicines that contain sex hormones may also cause this type of early puberty.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Generally, in teens with no signs of sexual development</strong> by age 13 for girls or age 14 for boys, <strong>low or normal levels of FSH and LH</strong> usually mean delayed puberty. Many teens with delayed puberty are healthy and go through normal puberty at a later age. But delayed puberty may be caused by certain medical conditions, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Poor <a data-tid="36" href="https://medlineplus.gov/nutrition.html">nutrition</a> from a long-term illness or <a data-tid="237" href="https://medlineplus.gov/eatingdisorders.html">eating disorder</a></li>
<li>Hypogonadism, which is when the ovaries or testicles make little or no hormone. It may be caused by:
<ul>
<li>Certain <a data-tid="33" href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticdisorders.html">genetic disorders</a>, including <a data-pid="14951" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/kallmann-syndrome/">Kallmann syndrome</a></li>
<li>Tumors in the brain or pituitary gland</li>
<li>Turner syndrome in girls</li>
<li>Klinefelter syndrome in boys</li>
<li>Certain autoimmune disorders</li>
<li>Radiation therapy or chemotherapy</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>If you have questions about test results, talk with your or your child's provider.</p>
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Is there anything else I need to know about an FSH levels test?</h2>
<p><a data-pid="31381" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/at-home-medical-tests/">At-home test</a> kits that measure FSH levels in urine (pee) may help women find out if menopause or perimenopause is causing symptoms, such as irregular periods, vaginal dryness, or hot flashes.</p>
<p>Home tests can only find higher than normal FSH levels. They shouldn't be used to check whether you can become pregnant because they can't accurately tell whether your ovaries are making eggs. If you use a home FSH test, discuss your symptoms and test results with your provider.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
<ol>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2023.Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH); [reviewed 2023 Jan 23; cited 2023 May 8]; [about 19 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24638-follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24638-follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2023. Premature Menopause; [reviewed 2022 Sept 6; cited 2023 May 8]; [about 14 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause#diagnosis-and-tests" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause#diagnosis-and-tests</a></li>
<li><em>Eunice Kennedy Shriver</em> National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Puberty and Precocious Puberty; [reviewed 2021 Jun 21; cited 2023 May 8]; [about 12 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty" target="bibliowin">https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty</a></li>
<li>FDA: U.S. Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Menopause; [updated 2018 Sep 27; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/menopause" target="bibliowin">https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/menopause</a></li>
<li>Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner &amp; Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins; c2014. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Serum; p. 306-7.</li>
<li>Jabbour S. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Abnormalities [updated 2020 Apr 1; cited 2023 May 9]. In: Medscape: Drugs &amp; Diseases: Endocrinology [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): WebMD LLC; c1994-2023. Available from: <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/118810-overview" target="bibliowin">https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/118810-overview</a></li>
<li>Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2023. Menopause; [cited 2023 May 8]; [about 10 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401</a></li>
<li>Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995-2022. Test ID: FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Serum; [cited 2023 May 8]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/602753#Clinical-and-Interpretive" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/602753#Clinical-and-Interpretive</a></li>
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: germ cell tumor; [cited 2023 May 8]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/germ-cell-tumor" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/germ-cell-tumor</a></li>
<li>Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2023. Blood Test: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); [cited 2023 May 4]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-fsh.html" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-fsh.html</a></li>
<li>Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2023. Precocious Puberty; [cited 2023 May 4]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/precocious.html" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/precocious.html</a></li>
<li>Orlowski M, Sarao MS. Physiology, Follicle Stimulating Hormone. [Updated 2022 May 8; cited 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535442/#_article-21867_s9_" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535442/#_article-21867_s9_</a></li>
<li>Office on Women's Health [Internet]. Washington D.C.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Menopause Basics; [updated 2023 Jan 6; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics#4" target="bibliowin">https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics#4</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test; [modified 2023 Jan 5; cited 2023 May 8]; [about 13 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh/</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Menopause Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2023 May 8]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/menopause-testing/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/menopause-testing/</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Turner Syndrome; [cited 2023 May 4]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/glossary/#turner-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/glossary/#turner-syndrome</a></li>
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test: Overview; [reviewed 2019 Jun 30; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-blood-test" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-blood-test</a></li>
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Klinefelter syndrome; [updated 2020 Oct 27; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/klinefelter-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/klinefelter-syndrome</a></li>
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Turner syndrome; [updated 2019 Oct 3; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/turner-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/turner-syndrome</a></li>
<li>University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2023. Health Encyclopedia: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; [cited 2023 May 4]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&amp;contentid=follicle_stimulating_hormone" target="bibliowin">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&amp;contentid=follicle_stimulating_hormone</a></li>
<li>UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2023. Health Information: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; [updated 2022 Sep 8; cited 2023 May 4]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw7924" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw7924</a></li>
</ol></div>
</section>
</div>
<div class="side">
<aside>
<section><div class="side-section">
<div class="section-header">
<h2>Related Health Topics</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-body">
<ul class="relatedmp">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/femaleinfertility.html">Female Infertility</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html">Hormones</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/maleinfertility.html">Male Infertility</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/menopause.html">Menopause</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html">Menstruation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ovariandisorders.html">Ovarian Disorders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pituitarydisorders.html">Pituitary Disorders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/puberty.html">Puberty</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/testiculardisorders.html">Testicular Disorders</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div></section>
<section><div class="side-section">
<div class="section-header">
<h2>Related Medical Tests</h2>
</div>
<div class="section-body">
<ul class="relatedmp">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/anti-mullerian-hormone-test/">Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/at-home-medical-tests/">At-Home Medical Tests</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/estrogen-levels-test/">Estrogen Levels Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-cope-with-medical-test-anxiety/">How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">How to Understand Your Lab Results</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/">Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/progesterone-test/">Progesterone Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prolactin-levels/">Prolactin Levels</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/semen-analysis/">Semen Analysis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test/">SHBG Blood Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/">Testosterone Levels Test</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/what-you-need-to-know-about-blood-testing/">What You Need to Know About Blood Testing</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div></section>
</aside>
</div>
<div class="bottom">
<section><div class="lt-disclaimer">
<p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.</p>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</article>
</div>
<div id="citation-how-to">
<button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button>
</div>
</div>
<footer>
<div id="mplus-footer">
<div class="footer1">
<ul class="secondarynav">
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
</ul>
<ul class="follow-footer">
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a>
</li>
<li>
<span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X">
</a>
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook">
</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram">
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="footer2">
<ul>
<li><a href=" https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target='_blank'>NLM Web Policies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="address">
<a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
</div>
<div class="date">
<span id="lastupdate">Last updated December 4, 2023</span>
</div>
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
</div>
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls-new.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!--[if lte IE 9]><script src="//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script><![endif]-->
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type='application/ld+json'>{
"@context": "http://schema.org",
"@type": "MedicalWebPage",
"headline": "Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test",
"description": "This test measures the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a sample of your blood. A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. FSH plays an important role in sexual development in children and fertility in adults. In women who menstruate (have periods), FSH helps control the menstrual cycle. It triggers the growth of eggs in the ovaries and gets the eggs ready for ovulation. Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg so it can travel down a fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm.; In men, FSH helps control the amount of sperm that the testicles (testes) make. It also affects how healthy the sperm are.; In children, FSH levels are normally low until puberty starts. Then FSH levels begin to rise along with the levels of other hormones. The increase in all these hormones triggers the physical changes of puberty: In girls, FSH tells the ovaries to start making the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is involved in the growth of breasts, body hair, and menstruation.; In boys, FSH tells the testicles to start making the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is involved in the growth of facial and body hair, changes in a boy's voice, and sperm production.; ; FSH levels are controlled by a complex system of hormones made in different parts of your body. Abnormal levels of FSH may be a sign of a problem with any of these parts. They include your: Pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of your brain. It makes FSH.; Hypothalamus, a part of your brain. It makes hormones that tell your pituitary gland how much FSH to make.; Reproductive glands, your ovaries or testicles. The amount of sex hormones they make let your hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when to start and stop making FSH.; Other names: follitropin, FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone: serum, pituitary gonadotropins",
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/",
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"legalName": "National Library of Medicine",
"url": "https://www.nlm.nih.gov",
"brand": {
"@type": "Brand",
"name": "MedlinePlus",
"description": "MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).",
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov",
"logo": {
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_primary.png"
}
},
"parentOrganization": {
"@type": "Organization",
"legalName": "National Institutes of Health",
"url": "https://www.nih.gov"
}
}
}</script>
</body>
</html>