Diagnostic Use
In females, elevated FSH levels occur after menopause, premature ovarian failure or in ovarian agenesis.
In males, elevated FSH levels in the presence of low testosterone indicate primary testicular dysfunction.
FSH usually provides a better indication of primary gonadal failure than serum LH .
Reference Intervals
From 15/06/22, the plasma LH and FSH age- and gender-specific reference intervals have been revised for young children and adolescents during puberty. This review has been endorsed by the Auckland Regional Quality Assurance Group (ARQAG) in May 2022 after consultation with local paediatric endocrinologists. There has not been any change to the corresponding reference intervals for post-pubertal adults.
Male – Paediatrics:
| 0 – 1 years |
<3.4 IU/L |
| 1 – 8.9 years |
<2.2 IU/L |
| 9 – 11.9 years |
0.4 – 4.2 IU/L |
| 12 – 15.9 years |
0.9 – 7.0 IU/L |
Male – Adult:
Female paediatrics (pre-menarche):
| 0 – 1 years |
1.6 – 19 IU/L |
| 1 – 8.9 years |
0.7 – 5.8 IU/L |
| 9 – 11.9 years |
0.5 – 7.6 IU/L (pre-pubertal) (if post-menarche, See ≥16 intervals) |
| 12 – 15.9 years |
0.9 – 9.1 IU/L (pre-pubertal) (if post-menarche, See ≥16 intervals) |
Female Adult (≥16 years old or post-menarche):
| Follicular |
3 – 10 IU/L |
| Midcycle |
4 – 25 IU/L |
| Luteal |
2 – 8 IU/L |
| Postmenopausal |
>20 IU/L |
| Pregnant |
<1 IU/L |
Test Method
Principle: Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay - Sandwich assay
Analyser: Roche Diagnostics Cobas e801
Reagents: Elecsys FSH