What is FSH?
FSH is a brain hormone that stimulates the development of the follicle (egg) in the ovary.

How is FSH measured?
Your FSH level is measured by taking a blood test on day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period.)

What do the results mean?
FSH levels measure ovarian reserve, or how well the ovary is working. A low FSH means the ovary is working well. An elevated FSH (greater than 10) is an early chemical indication of decreased fertility.

Your doctor/nurse practitioner will review the results of your FSH test and will determine if you fall into the normal, borderline, or abnormal (decreased fertility) range.

Normal: A FSH of 10 or less (in our regional lab) indicates that pregnancy is possible. However, it does not guarantee that you will become pregnant, nor does it predict how well you may respond to fertility medication.

Borderline: A borderline FSH of 11-13 suggests that you have declining egg quality or ovarian reserve. A borderline FSH indicates that your chances of pregnancy are low with or without treatment.

Abnormal: An abnormal FSH (14 or higher) indicates poor egg quality. The chances for a successful pregnancy (using the woman’s own egg) and a live birth is rare. If you have an abnormal FSH, your provider can counsel you about alternative ways to become a parent. FSH levels can vary from cycle to cycle. It is the highest FSH level that predicts egg quality. Even one FSH level that is abnormal predicts a poor response to fertility medications and a decreased ovarian reserve.