Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Level in Pregnancy – What’s Normal?

A woman’s hormonal levels keep fluctuating. One such hormone that all women should know about is the ‘Follicle Stimulating Hormone’ (FSH). Here, we discuss the follicle-stimulating hormone in detail. An FSH test is done before conception while treating infertility.

What Is FSH and What Is Its Role Before Pregnancy?

Follicle-stimulating hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. Its primary function is to stimulate ovaries to produce mature eggs for fertilisation. It is also the hormone responsible for facilitating a regular menstrual cycle. Let us understand the significance of FSH and its meaning.

What Is the Ideal FSH Level?

A vital role played by FSH in pregnancy is that it helps in the formation of the placenta in the initial months. The normal range of FSH is between 3-10mIU/ml (milli-International Units per millilitre). However, in the initial stages of pregnancy, it will be at 2mIU/ml.

What Conditions Lower the FSH Level

Following are the conditions that may lower your FSH levels:

• Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterised by uncharacteristically low body weight, can lower FSH levels considerably.
• Disorders related to the hypothalamus, located at the base of the brain, can also reduce FSH levels.
• Malfunction of the pituitary gland also reduces the production of FSH in the body.

How to Prepare for the FSH Test

There are two methods by which your doctor will check your FSH level. The following two tests will be performed.

1. Blood Test

A medical professional would make use of a needle to draw a slight amount of blood for use from a visible vein. This may cause mild discomfort, but it is a quick process.

2. Urine Test

The medical professional will ask for a single urine sample or more than one across a 24-hour period. This method gives an accurate view of your FSH level, which varies throughout the day.

There are no certain steps to be followed before reporting to an FSH test. You would not be asked to stop taking fluids or food, unlike in other tests. Consult a medical practitioner and understand what preparation is required before taking the test. You may be advised to stop some or all of your medications 48 hours preceding the test.

FAQs

Here is a list of frequently asked questions that are associated with taking the FSH test:

1. Are there any special precautions to be taken post the test?

There is no separate precaution to be taken after the FSH test. In case of dizziness or discomfort during or after the test, make sure you ask for support and take a seat at a comfortable place.

2. Are there any side effects of taking the FSH test?

The FSH test is one of the safest tests and has no documented side effects. Very few cases have been reported where a person has encountered dizziness or slight discomfort. If you do, let your medical practitioner know about it.

3. How can FSH levels impact fertility treatments during pregnancy?

Elevated FSH levels may affect the efficacy of fertility treatments, as they can indicate reduced ovarian reserve. Monitoring these levels can help tailor treatment plans to improve outcomes.

This was all about FSH levels and pregnancy. The easiest way to appreciate the significance of any test that you are referred to is by having a word with your doctor. Request your doctor to explain the reason you have to take a particular test and what the results indicate.

References/Resources:

1. Hirano. M, Igarashi. A, Suzuki. M; Dynamic changes of serum LH and FSH during pregnancy and puerperium (The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/772883/; March 1976

2. Trout. S, Seifer. D; Do women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss have higher day 3 serum FSH and estradiol values? (Fertility and Sterility); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10927054/; August 2000

3. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test; Mount Sinai; https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-blood-test

4. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24638-follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh

5. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; University of Rochester Medical Center; https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=follicle_stimulating_hormone

6. Blood Test: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-fsh.html

7. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test; UCSF Health; https://www.ucsfhealth.org/medical-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-(fsh)-blood-test

Also Read:

Estrogen Levels & Role during Pregnancy
Low Lymphocytes when Pregnant
Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A)
How to Increase Haemoglobin Levels while Pregnant
How to Maintain Progesterone Levels when Pregnant
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Levels in Pregnancy