Clinical and Interpretive

This assay is useful as an adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities, in the evaluation of patients with suspected hypogonadism, for predicting ovulation, for evaluating infertility and for diagnosing pituitary disorders.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus controls the secretion of the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary.

The menstrual cycle is divided by a midcycle surge of both FSH and LH into a follicular phase and a luteal phase.

FSH appears to control gametogenesis in both males and females. In both males and females, primary hypogonadism results in an elevation of basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.

FSH and LH are generally elevated in:
-Primary gonadal failure
-Complete testicular feminization syndrome
-Precocious puberty (either idiopathic or secondary to a central nervous system lesion)-Menopause (postmenopausal FSH levels are generally >40 IU/L)
-Primary ovarian hypofunction in females
-Primary hypogonadism in males

Normal or decreased FSH in:
-Polycystic ovary disease in females

FSH and LH are both decreased in failure of the pituitary or hypothalamus.

No clinically significant cross-reactivity has been demonstrated with thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, prolactin, or growth hormone.