Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – Serum, Quantitative
This blood test measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your serum. FSH is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland that plays a key role in reproductive health, particularly in regulating egg development in women and sperm production in men.
["FSH helps assess fertility and hormone balance in both genders."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 47618-4
- Short code
- FSH 15M p 100 ug LRH IV SerPl-aCnc
- Synonyms
- FSH 15M p 100 ug LRH IV SerPl-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 12.5
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83001
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order an FSH test to evaluate fertility issues, diagnose hormonal imbalances, or check for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, or low testosterone in men. It can also help monitor conditions like premature ovarian insufficiency or Klinefelter syndrome.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed for this test. You may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the blood draw if your lab requires it, but this is not always the case. Bring any medications or supplements you’re taking to your appointment.
What Happens During the Test?
A healthcare professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm. The process is quick and typically causes only mild discomfort. The blood sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.
What Are Possible Results?
Results are reported as a numerical value representing the concentration of FSH in your serum. Your doctor will compare these results to standard ranges appropriate for your age, gender, and health status to interpret the meaning.
Reference range
Follicular: 3.5-12.5 mIU/mLN/A
For females: inform if menstrual cycle status. For certain tests, timing within menstrual cycle may matter.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
High FSH levels may indicate conditions like early menopause, ovarian dysfunction, or hormonal disorders. Low FSH levels could suggest pituitary gland issues, hypogonadism, or certain genetic disorders. Always discuss your results with your healthcare provider, as they’ll consider your full medical history and symptoms for accurate diagnosis.
Short name
FSH Level
Frequently asked questions
What Does an Elevated FSH Level Mean?
What Does a Low FSH Level Mean?
Can FSH Levels Change Over Time?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy