FSH test numbers: When to increase, when to decrease?

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FSH is one of the important hormones for the body especially in reproductive matters. Together with LH, FSH helps regulate reproductive functions in both sexes. The concentration of FSH in the blood can fluctuate up or down and then it will affect the problems of the reproductive system such as ejaculation, menstruation and even if prolonged it will affect the ability to have children.

1. The gonadotropic hormone FSH

FSH hormone is one of the important endocrine factors in women that stimulates oocyte development and is directly related to the production of the hormone progesterone. FSH together with LH (luteinizing hormone) helps to regulate and stimulate the development of the gonads (ovaries and testes) synchronously. FSH is present in the bodies of both men and women.
FSH index in women: In the female body, FSH levels change differently at each stage of the menstrual cycle.
Follicle formation stage: 1.68 - 15 IU/L. Mid-menstrual cycle: 21.9 - 56.6 IU/L. The luteal phase: 0.61 - 16.3 IU/L. Menopause: 14.2 - 15.3 IU/L. FSH index in men: 1.24 - 7.8 IU/L.
Before puberty, the average FSH index in the body is between 1.0 - 4.2 IU/L.
Role of FSH:
In women:
When stimulated, the hypothalamus secretes the hormone GnRH, which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH. FSH will stimulate the development of oocytes and increase estrogen secretion in combination with LH (make eggs mature and then release, corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen thickens the uterine lining, this is part of the cycle. Menstrual cycle In people with too low FSH levels, it will not be able to stimulate ovulation, leading to infertility In men:
Same as in women, when there are effects of stimuli , the area below secretes the hormone GnRH, which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH. Then, FSH stimulates the development of the seminiferous tubules, and at the same time promotes sperm production.Co combines with LH, a hormone. stimulates interstitial cells to increase production of testosterone to stimulate sperm production.Promotes the production of androgen-binding proteins.

2. Cases of changing the FSH . index

In the body, the concentration of FSH is very important. The measurement of the hormone FSH can help doctors assess the function of the hypothalamic-gonadal axis in both sexes. Combined quantitative determination of FSH and LH will be valuable in diagnosing a number of medical conditions such as:
Disorders occurring in the hypothalamus, pituitary or gonads.
Assess the decline in function of the gonads, predicting infertility, menstrual disorders or the possibility of early puberty as well as signs of menopause. Can help detect some congenital diseases including chromosomal abnormalities, polycystic ovary syndrome... FSH measurement should be done on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual cycle because At this time, the levels of estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest and at this time, the concentration of FSH is considered the basic index level to evaluate with cases of hormone increase and decrease. Fluctuating FSH index can be increased or decreased depending on each different medical case.
2.1. FSH levels are elevated. FSH levels are elevated when:
Having diseases of the reproductive system:
Primary amenorrhea. Hypogonadism. Sexual dysfunction. Women who are post-menopausal or in the middle of their menstrual cycle. Due to abnormalities in the structure of the reproductive system, men do not have one or both testicles. After hysterectomy or orchiectomy. Impaired ovarian or testicular function. Having polycystic ovary syndrome.

Due to diseases of the pituitary gland: FSH is produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, so any medical condition that affects the function of the pituitary gland can change the concentration of FSH in the body. .
Hyperpituitary gland: the characteristic manifestation of this pathology is a clinical syndrome caused by a single increase in a certain hormone of the pituitary gland, or a simultaneous increase in the concentration of two or more different hormones in the pituitary gland. And increased FSH can also be one of the common symptoms in hyperpituitary disease. Have a pituitary tumor. Early puberty when the endocrine system is not fully developed will also have the risk of disrupting hormone levels leading to increased FSH.
In addition, increased FSH can also be seen in pathologies such as Turner syndrome, hypothalamic tumor, acromegaly...
2.2.FSH concentration decreases FSH index decreases when:
Having problems Genital issues:
Delayed puberty. Secondary amenorrhea, azoospermia in men. Decreased levels of gonadotropic hormones. Ovarian or testicular cancer Due to pathologies of the endocrine glands and hypothalamus :
Adrenal hyperplasia. Have hypothalamic dysfunction. Decreased FSH after pituitary resection. Adrenal cancer. Hypopituitarism: In contrast to the case of hyperpituitarism, hypopituitarism is a phenomenon of impaired function in the production and synthesis of hormones. This can lead to a decrease in FSH levels because FSH is produced in the pituitary gland. Due to the use of drugs such as birth control pills, estrogen, progesterone... Due to stress, stress. Improper diet and nutrition.
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