The Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test is ordered by your physician to measure the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood or urine. This hormone plays an important role in the reproductive parts of both males and females and helpful in assessing the problems of infertility.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6.1 million women in the United States who fall under the age group of 15 to 44 are having difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. So, we highly recommend you to get tested for the FSH levels if you have any fertility problems.
The article below covers all the relevant topics of the FSH test like FSH blood test cost, normal levels of FSH, test preparation, procedure, abnormal levels of FSH, limitations, and how to get tested for FSH.
- FSH blood test cost.
- What is FSH?
- Why is an FSH test done?
- Normal FSH levels.
- How is the FSH test performed?
- Is there any preparation required before the test?
- Are there any risks in the FSH test?
- What does the FSH test result mean?
- What are the limitations of the FSH test?
- Provider Locations.
For our readers, who are more interested in knowing the cost of the FSH test beforehand, we would like to begin with that section.
How much does the FSH test cost?
Cost of FSH test ranges between $49 and $64 in different labs and facilities across the U.S. No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days.
The following table shows the cost of the FSH test at 2 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
HealthLabs
| Offer Price$49 |
Personal Testing Lab
| Offer Price$64 |
FSH test cost with insurance
Many health insurance policies in the U.S. cover the cost of all fertility-related tests including the FSH test. But the coverage offered by different private health insurance policies and national health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid varies widely. So we recommend you to check with your insurance company regarding the coverage before getting tested.
Our FSH testing providers do not accept any kind of health insurance policy. But, if the insurance company accepts to reimburse your FSH test cost, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is FSH?
Follicle Stimulating Hormone is the full form of FSH. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland that is located in the brain and released into the bloodstream. FSH plays an important role in the development and function of women’s ovaries and men’s testes.
The follicles produce estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries which are the primary female hormones and helps to maintain the menstrual cycle in women. In men, the FSH is a part of the development of gonads (sex gland that produces sex cells) and it helps to stimulate the production of sperms.
Why is the FSH test done?
FSH test is done to measure the level of follicle-stimulating hormone present in the blood. Your physician may order the FSH test in the following cases.
FSH test for women
- To assess infertility problems
- To assess irregular menstrual cycles
- To determine the possibility of menopause
- To diagnose various disorders in the pituitary gland or diseases in the ovaries
FSH test for men
FSH test is ordered in men to evaluate and assess
- Low sperm count
- Gonadal failure
- Testicular dysfunction
- Damage or disease in the testes
FSH test for children
FSH test is ordered when the children enter puberty too early or too late than expected. The signs of puberty include
- Enlargement of the breast in girls
- Pubic hair growth
- Menstruation in girls
- Penile growth in boys
Normal FSH levels by age
The normal FSH levels vary depending on the person’s age and sex which is given below.
FSH levels in men
- Before puberty – 0 to 5.0 IU/L
- During puberty – 0.3 to 10.0 IU/L
- Adult – 1.5 to 12.4 IU/L
IU/L represents International Units per Litre
FSH levels in women
- Before puberty – 0 to 4.0 IU/L
- During puberty – 0.3 to 10.0 IU/L
- Before menopause – 4.5 to 21.5 IU/L
- After menopause – 25.8 to 134.8 IU/L
The above-mentioned normal levels may vary slightly among different labs. So consult your physician regarding the FSH test result to be more specific.
How is the FSH test performed?
The FSH test can be performed in two ways. The sample collected for the test can either be blood or urine.
Blood test
During the blood test, the phlebotomist will put a tight elastic band around the upper arm to make the vein visible and swell with blood. The area to be injected will be cleansed with an antiseptic liquid. A needle will be injected into the vein to draw the blood sample. After removing the needle you will be asked to apply pressure on the injected area with a cotton ball to stop bleeding. The blood sample is collected in a test tube and then sent to the lab for analysis.
Urine test
In the case of the urine test, your physician will ask for a sample of urine that should be collected several times over a period of 24 hours. This process gives accurate information on the FSH level in the body.
Is there any preparation required before the test?
The FSH test is a simple test and does not require any special preparation. No fasting is required and you can carry on your regular activities. But it is necessary to discuss with your physician if you have any medical disorders like uncontrolled thyroid disease, ovarian cysts, abnormal vaginal bleeding, sex-dependent hormone tumors, and if you take any birth control pills as these conditions can affect the FSH levels resulting in inaccurate test results.
Are there any risks in the FSH test?
Since FSH is a simple blood or urine test, there are no possible risks and complications. Sometimes, in the case of the blood test, you might feel dizziness, bruise, or redness at the injected spot. But these symptoms will go away quickly.
What does the FSH test result mean?
The FSH test results will show the level of FSH present in the blood or urine. The reasons behind the high and low FSH levels vary depending on gender and age. The infographic below clearly describes the causes of abnormal FSH levels in men, women, and children.
What are the limitations of the FSH test?
Generally, the follicle-stimulating hormone level fluctuates over the course of hours in a day. So the test taken to examine the level of FSH is just a snapshot.
Some medications like cimetidine, clomiphene, digitalis, levodopa, etc may also increase or decrease the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in the body. So it is very important to consult with your physician before getting tested if you are taking the above-mentioned medications.
How are the abnormal levels of FSH treated?
Your physician will prescribe some medications, therapies, and drugs to treat the abnormal levels of FSH. Sometimes, to make an accurate diagnosis, he/she may also recommend you to take other tests like luteinizing hormone test(LH), progesterone test, testosterone, and estrogen.
Provider Locations
FSH test can be done in any of the following locations across the U.S. by visiting the nearest lab. To know the cost of the FSH test, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
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