Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – Serum, 24-Hour Profile
This test measures your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) over a 24-hour period in your blood. FSH plays a key role in regulating hormone production in both men and women.
["FSH helps assess reproductive health and hormone balance, especially in conditions affecting fertility or hormone imbalances."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 25649-5
- Short code
- FSH sp6 p chal SerPl IRP2-aCnc
- Synonyms
- FSH sp6 p chal SerPl IRP2-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
- Method
- nd-irp
- 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 This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test to evaluate reproductive function, diagnose hormonal imbalances, or check for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), low testosterone, or ovarian reserve depletion. It may also be used in fertility evaluations or to monitor certain cancers that affect hormone production.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the blood draw if your provider specifies it. Wear comfortable clothing and plan to rest during the procedure. Avoid smoking or strenuous activity before testing.
What Happens During the Test
A healthcare professional will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. The test measures FSH levels at multiple time points to provide a fuller picture of your hormone activity over 24 hours.
What the Results Mean
Results help determine whether your FSH levels are within expected ranges for your gender and reproductive stage. Elevated or low levels may indicate conditions affecting fertility, hormone production, or other health concerns. Your provider will interpret results in the context of your medical history and symptoms.
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.
FSH is critical for reproductive health. In women, it stimulates follicle development in the ovaries and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. In men, it supports sperm production. Abnormal FSH levels may signal early menopause, ovarian dysfunction, or other hormonal disorders. This profile helps identify patterns of hormone fluctuation that could impact fertility or other health outcomes.
Short name
FSH Profile
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get my results?
What are the normal ranges for FSH?
Can lifestyle factors, like diet or exercise, affect FSH levels?
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