Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Test - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) testing measures the level of this glycoprotein hormone in the blood serum. It is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and regulates the function of the gonads (ovaries and testes). In women, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles (ovaries) during the first half of the menstrual cycle. In men, it stimulates sperm production in the testes. Its levels rise when the gonads fail to produce sufficient levels of hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone), making it a crucial indicator of hypogonadism and ovarian reserve.