Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier
| Test | Follicle Stimulating Hormone |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | FSH |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier |
| Clinical Indication | FSH is often used in conjunction with other tests (LH, testosterone, oestradiol, and progesterone) in the investigation of infertility in both men and women. FSH levels are also useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities (irregular periods) and to aid in the diagnosis of pituitary gland disorders. In children, FSH and LH are used to diagnose delayed or precocious (early) puberty and investigate problems with growth. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 5 days at 20 - 25°C, 14 days at 2 - 8°C and 6 months at -20°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 24 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | Females: 1 - 10 years: < or equal to 6.0 IU/L (Clinical Biochemistry 2010; 43: 1045 1050) Follicular: 3.5 - 12.5 IU/L Ovulation: 4.7 - 21.5 IU/L Luteal: 1.7 - 7.7 IU/L Post-menopausal: 25.8 - 134.8 IU/L (Quoted by the manufacturer) Males: 1 - 5 years: < or equal to 1.9 IU/L 6 - 10 years: < or equal to 2.3 IU/L 11 - 15 years: < and equal to 6.9 IU/L 16 - 20 years: < or equal to 9.7 IU/L (Clinical Biochemistry 2010; 43: 1045 1050), 1.5 - 12.4 IU/L (Quoted by the manufacturer) |
| Limitations | Analysis should not be performed on haemolysed, icteric or lipaemic samples. The assay is unaffected by biotin 1200 ng/mL. No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to a concentration of 1200 IU/mL. In vitro tests were performed on 16 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No interference with the assay was found. In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titres of antibodies to analyte specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. |
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