FSH Test

Follicle Stimulating Hormone is a peptide hormone produced in the brain's pituitary gland. It is normally present in the blood or urine, varying in concentration with the stage of the menstrual cycle. When estrogen levels drop, FSH is released from the pituitary gland, indicating either a woman in the mid-menstrual cycle or the onset of perimenopause. During early menopause, changes take place in the balance of hormones that regulate and control menstrual cycles. As a woman grows older and passes out of childbearing stage of life, the ovaries gradually make less of the hormone estrogen and FSH increases. FSH normally regulates the growth and complete, FSH production is stopped, and it returns to normal. As the body decreases estrogen production with age, more FSH is made. Over time these hormone changes cause menstrual periods to stop completely, and “menopause" occurs. Heath risks that can come with menopause usually include osteoporosis, increased blood cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. The slow change in ovary function can happen between 2 and 10 years before the final period. This early-stage before menopause is called Perimenopause. During this stage, the levels of FSH may rise to positive levels and slowly return to normal, causing irregular or missed periods. Therefore, the testing for FSH should be performed twice to help identify the levels of FSH throughout a menstrual cycle.The FSH Test is a one-step assay for the rapid qualitative determination of FSH in the urine. Theimmunological specificity of the test kit virtually eliminates cross-reactivity and interference to structurally related glycoprotein
hormones such as LH, HCG and TSH.