Synonyms |
|
Luteinising
Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
Clinical
Indications |
|
LH and
FSH are anterior pituitary hormones which regulate male and
female gonadal function. Measurement of LH/FSH can be useful
in suspected disorders of gonadal function.
Guidelines are available for hormone
measurements in women with secondary amenorrhoea and/or
menopausal symptoms.
|
Test
Includes |
|
LH /
FSH
|
Request Form |
|
Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
On request
|
Specific
Criteria |
|
Investigation
of suspected hypothalamic, pituitary or gonadal dysfunction.
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
Same Day (Monday to Friday)
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
Volume |
|
1 ml
|
Container |
|
Yellow top (SST) tube
|
Collection |
|
No
specific collection conditions
|
Causes for
Rejection |
|
Unlabelled
sample
|
Reference
Range |
|
In
women, dependent on stage of menstral cycle; in the early
follicular phase, and in men, levels of LH and FSH are usually
< 10 U/L.
|
Interpretation |
|
Low LH/FSH: pituitary /
hypothalamic disease.
High gonadotrophins: primary gonadal failure (LH and FSH),
azoospermia / ovulatory failure (FSH), polycystic ovary
syndrome (LH>FSH).
Towards the menopause, FSH tends to rise before LH, although
both show considerable variation. After the menopause, levels
of both FSH and LH are greatly elevated (greater than 28 U/L).
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