A Comprehensive Overview of the Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test

The follicle-stimulating hormones, abbreviated as FSH is the hormone responsible for the pubertal development and efficient functioning of the woman’s ovaries & man’s testis.

FSH Test

These hormones trigger the production of estrogen & progesterone in the ovaries, which further helps in maintaining the menstrual cycle in the female body. FSH is an essential part of sperm & gonad production.

The FSH Elisa kit is to measure the levels of follicle-stimulating hormones in the blood. This test is done upon the doctor’s advice, owing to the symptoms that caused your reproductive system not to function efficiently.

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When Is the FSH Test Done?

The follicle-stimulating hormone test is often recommended by a gynecologist to someone who has entered the menstrual phase, usually the first few days. The prominent reasons for undergoing the FSH test include the following:

  • Analyzing the Infertility Problem
  • Accessing the Root Cause of the Irregular Menstrual Cycles
  • Diagnosis of the Disease Involving the Ovaries or the Gonads

What Did You Need to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking the FSH Test?

You need to let your general physician know what prescribed and non-prescribed medicines you have been taking. Do you take any dietary supplements or vitamins? All these things you’ve to make your doctor clear with.

If you’ve been taking any measures for birth control such as the contraceptive pills,  patch or the intrauterine device, all these factors play an elemental role in figuring out the results of the FSH test.

You also need to speak to your doctor regarding any medical disorder you’ve been suffering; these may include: –

  • Thyroid condition
  • Sex-Dependent Hormone Tumors
  • Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding
  • Ovarian Cysts

All the above-mentioned conditions are associated with assessing the levels of FSH in the blood.

What Happens During the FSH Test?

The FSH ELISA kit makes it easy to identify the follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the blood, the entire procedure is breezy-easy, and explained below: –

Step 1:

First, the healthcare provider will tie the tourniquet slightly above the site where the blood needs to be drawn from the arm.

Step 2

The next step is sterilizing the site from where the blood is taken with the use of the antiseptic. After that, the needle is directly inserted into the vein.

Step 3:

Most of the people experience a sudden pinch which fades away in no time as soon the blood is drawn from the site.

Step 4:

Once the sample is taken, the medical staff will smoothly remove the needle and will ask the patient to apply some pressure on the site using a soft cotton ball or a small cloth.

Step 5:

The last step is putting the bandage on the blood-drawing site.

 

What Are The Risks Associated With the Follicle-Stimulating Hormones Test?

Just like any other blood test, the risks associated with the FSH test are less-threatening and quite prevalent: –

  • Fainting at the Sight of Blood
  • A Feeling of Dizziness
  • Slight Pain
  • Vertigo
  • Little Bruising
  • Redness At The Needle Pain

What the Results of the FSH Test Tells?

The levels of follicle-stimulating hormones in the blood vary according to age, and in line with the monthly cycle of women.

FSH Test Results

High FSH Levels

 

If the follicle-stimulating hormone levels are on the higher side, this means the onset of menopause, loss of ovarian function, ovarian cysts. The increased FSH levels suggest a significant reduction in the quality of embryos and eggs for fertilization.

Low FSH Levels

The low levels of follicle-stimulating hormones indicate that the female body isn’t producing eggs, a tumor that is interfering with the brain’s ability to trigger the production of FSH, and hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Stress and body weight can affect FSH values.

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Conclusion

You have to do nothing or anything special to prepare for the test. The doctor can identify the FSH levels in two ways, one is the blood test, and the other being from the urine sample.

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