- FSH
(Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) – This hormone is released by the anterior
pituitary gland, in women the FSH stimulates production of eggs and a hormone
called estradiol during the first half of the menstrual cycle. In men the FSH
stimulates sperm production. The FSH test is usually done to help diagnose
problems with sexual development, menstruation and fertility. The test is used
to help diagnose or evaluate:- menopause, women who have polycystic ovary
syndrome, ovarian cysts, irregular vaginal bleeding or infertility, children
that start sexual development at a very young age, men that suffer from
infertility, men who do not have testicles or whole testicles are
underdeveloped. Normal FSH levels depend on your age and gender.
The examples above are common measurements of results of these tests. However normal value ranges may vary between laboratories. Some laboratories use different measurements or test different samples. Disorders that may be associated with abnormal FSH results include: -
My LH levels were 4.0
- Hypopituitarism – The purity gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
- Klinefelter Syndrome – Presence of an extra X chromosome in men.
- Polycystic Ovary Disease – An imbalance of female sex hormones, that could lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, infertility and other health problems.
- Turner Syndrome – A female does not have the usual pair of 2 X chromosomes.
- Ovarian Failure (ovarian hypo function) – Reduced function of ovaries including decreased production of hormones.
- Ovarian or adrenal cancers.
- Precocious Puberty – Puberty happens earlier than normal in both boys and girls.
- Anorexia
- Hypopituitarism – The purity gland does not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
- LH (luteinizing hormone) – This is produced in the pituitary gland an increase in LH in women at mid-cycle causes ovulation. In me LH stimulates the production of testosterone. LH is tested if I you are a woman having trouble getting pregnant, who does not have regular periods, or signs of a disorder associated with abnormal levels of LH.
A normal result of LH for a woman is between 5 and 25 IU/L. Levels peak around mid-cycle again the figures I have given like the FSH can vary between laboratories.
Greater than normal LH levels may indicate:-- Anorchia – Absence of the testes or testes that do not function
- Hydrogonadism – The bodies sex glands produce little or no hormones.
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Menopause
- Ovarian failure (ovarian hypo function)
- POCS (Polycystic Ovary disease)
- Precocious puberty
- Turner syndrome
- Anorchia – Absence of the testes or testes that do not function
My LH levels were 4.0
- Estradiol – Is the most important form of oestrogen found in the body. Most of it is made in and released from the ovaries, adrenal cortex and during pregnancy the placenta - Estradiol is responsible for the growth of the uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina. It promotes breast development and growth of the outer genitals. It also plays a role in the distribution of body fat in women. Certain medicines may interfere with the test results including:-
- Oestrogen theropy
- Birth control pills.
- Oestrogen theropy
- To see how well your ovaries, placenta or adrenal glands work.
- If you have signs of an ovarian tumour.
- If male or female characteristics are not developing normally.
- If your menstrual cycle has stopped (levels vary depending on the times of the month).
- To see how well your ovaries, placenta or adrenal glands work.
High levels of estradiol could be a sign of
an ovarian tumour. Lower than normal levels could be due to:-
- Turner
syndrome
- Ovarian
failure
- Low
oestrogen production related to rapid weight loss of low body fat.
- AMH
(Anti mullerian hormone) – is produced by the ovarian follicles. AMH is also
known as MIS (mullerian inhibiting substance). AMH levels correlate with the
number of antral-follicles in the ovaries. It has been documented that women
with lower AMH have lower antral-follicular counts and produce a lower number
of oocytes compared with women with higher levels.
AMH levels do not change significantly throughout the menstrual cycle and decrease with age. Healthy women, below 38 years of age with normal follicular status at day 3 of the menstrual cycle have AMH levels of around 2.0 to 6.8NG/ML (14.28 – 48.55 PMOL/L). Higher levels are often found in patients with POCS.
Testing
for AMH can be used for:-
It is such a relief to actually have normal healthy results come back, for once I am normal
- Evaluating
fertility potential and ovarian response in IVF-serum. AMH levels correlate with
the number of early antral-follicles. This makes it useful for predicting your
ovarian response in an IVF cycle. Women with low AMH levels are more likely to
be poor ovarian responders.
- Measuring
ovarian aging – Diminished ovarian reserve is signalled by reduced baseline
serum AMH concentrations. Women with poor ovarian reserve who have entered
oopause (poor ovarian response) have low levels of AMH. However this is a new
test and I have read in several places that it is not easily available.
It is such a relief to actually have normal healthy results come back, for once I am normal