Doctors of gynecological endocrinologists often hear from patients questions about the hormone FSH - what is it, and what does FSH mean in general? We will answer all these questions.
FSH is a follicle - stimulating hormone , also known as follicotropin. This hormone is produced in the anterior pituitary gland, as well as LH - luteinizing hormone. The main purpose of FSH is to accelerate the development of follicles in the ovaries of a woman and participate in the formation of estrogens. In men, this hormone initiates the process of spermatogenesis.
The level of FSH in the body is what FSH analysis shows. In women, it depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. In the first phase, it is from 2.8 to 11.3 IU / ml, in the second phase - from 1.2 to 9 IU / ml, during ovulation - from 5.8 to 21 IU / ml.
In girls under 9 years, FSH levels normally range from 0.11 to 1.6 IU / ml. During the menopause, FSH varies between 21.7 and 153 IU / ml. In men, FSH levels of 0.7-11 IU / ml are considered normal.
What is FSH, it is impossible to consider without relating this hormone to LH, since together they provide the ability to continue genus, both in women and men. Normally, the FSH level is less than the LH level in 1,5-2 times. If this ratio reaches 2.5, then it can speak of ovarian depletion, of the pituitary tumor, as well as of the polycystic ovary syndrome.
What does the hormone FSH meet?
So, let's take a closer look at what the follicle-stimulating hormone is responsible for. In women FSH:
- is responsible for processing into testosterone estrogens;
- allows the follicles in the ovaries to grow;
- synthesizes estrogens.
For men, FSH is important in that:
- activates the growth of testes and seminiferous tubules;
- synthesizes a protein that binds sex hormones;
- responsible for spermatogenesis.
The main thing that influences FSH hormone is the opportunity to have children. If the level of this hormone is insufficient, ovulation may not be present, atrophy of genital organs and mammary glands occurs. Very often the diagnosis of "infertility" is made precisely because of the low level of follicle-stimulating hormone.
Elevated levels of FSH are normal in menopause. In women of childbearing age, an increase in FSH can occur in the absence of menstruation, and also in the form of uterine bleeding, which is not associated with menstruation.
Now you know what FSH is for women. However, in men, the deviation of FSH from the norm is fraught with health problems. In particular, if FSH in men is elevated, it can speak of kidney failure, a pituitary tumor, testicular inflammation, an increase in testosterone levels. If FSH in men is low, it can lead to impotence, testicular atrophy, to the absence of sperm in the sperm.
What affects FSH?
FSH levels are affected by:
- diseases (kidney, genital organs, pituitary tumors);
- X-ray irradiation;
- alcoholism;
- taking certain medications;
- lifestyle, stress, smoking.
Blood on FSH - what is this analysis?
The blood test for FSH is one of those tests,
- 3 days before the analysis is done, you must exclude strong physical activity, sports training;
- the day before the test, you must exclude sex;
- 1 hour before the analysis should be excluded from smoking about excitement;
- the blood must be taken in the morning and must be empty on an empty stomach, and after awakening it should take at least 3 hours.
Before submitting the FSH test, you should inform the lab technician of the information that is important for determining the hormone rate, namely, cycle day, pregnancy in weeks, menopause, taking medications that may affect FSH levels.