Quick answer
The Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test costs ₹450 at Live Line Health Care. Measures the hormone that drives egg development and sperm production, used to look at ovarian reserve, menopause, missed periods and low sperm count. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 hours.
Also known as: Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Serum FSH, S. FSH, FSH Hormone, FSH Level, Day 3 FSH, Follitropin
What is the FSH Test?
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) comes from the pituitary gland and does exactly what its name suggests in women: it stimulates a group of ovarian follicles to grow each month so that one can mature and release an egg. In men, FSH supports sperm production in the testes. The level rises when the ovaries or testes stop responding well, as the pituitary tries harder to get a result.
For women, an early-cycle FSH is a long-standing marker of ovarian reserve, meaning how many eggs remain. A high day 2 to 5 FSH suggests reduced reserve, while a persistently high FSH with missed periods is a sign of menopause or, under 40, of premature ovarian insufficiency. Because FSH varies from cycle to cycle, many fertility doctors now pair it with AMH and an ultrasound follicle count. In men, FSH helps explain a low sperm count by showing whether the testes or the pituitary is the source.
What it measures: The level of follicle stimulating hormone in blood, reported in mIU/mL (the same number as IU/L).
Parameters included (1)
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Why is this test done?
- Assessing ovarian reserve before or during fertility treatment
- Investigating missed periods, early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency
- Supporting the diagnosis of menopause when the picture is unclear, such as after a hysterectomy
- Finding the cause of a low sperm count or very small testes in men
- Checking a teenager whose puberty has not started by the expected age
When should you get tested?
- Periods that have become irregular or stopped before the age of 45
- Hot flushes, night sweats or vaginal dryness with irregular cycles
- Difficulty conceiving, especially over the age of 35
- A low or zero sperm count on semen analysis
- Delayed puberty in a teenager
How to prepare for the FSH Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Women with periods should give the sample on day 2 to 5 of the cycle, counting the first day of bleeding as day 1, unless the doctor says otherwise.
- 3If you are on birth control pills or hormone therapy, ask your doctor first. These suppress FSH, and the result may not reflect your natural level.
- 4Men can give a sample at any time of day, ideally on the same visit as a semen analysis or testosterone test if those are also needed.
FSH Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Women, follicular phase (day 2 to 5) | About 3.5–12.5 mIU/mL |
| Women, mid-cycle peak | About 4.7–21.5 mIU/mL |
| Women, luteal phase | About 1.7–7.7 mIU/mL |
| Women, after menopause | About 25.8–134.8 mIU/mL |
| Adult men | About 1.5–12.4 mIU/mL |
For fertility, many clinics regard a day 2 to 5 FSH above about 10 mIU/mL as a sign of reduced ovarian reserve. Ranges vary between analysers. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A day 2 to 5 FSH above about 10 mIU/mL suggests reduced ovarian reserve. It does not mean pregnancy is impossible, and a fertility specialist will read it together with AMH, age and the scan.
- A FSH that stays above about 25 to 30 mIU/mL on repeat tests, with missed periods, is consistent with menopause. Under the age of 40, this pattern points to premature ovarian insufficiency and needs specialist care.
- In men, a high FSH with a low sperm count usually means the testes are not producing sperm well. A low or normal FSH with a low count can point to a pituitary or hormonal cause, or a blockage.
- A low FSH with low estrogen or testosterone suggests reduced signalling from the brain, which can follow major weight loss, intense training, stress, high prolactin or pituitary disease.
Health packages that include this test
The FSH Test is included in these full body checkups:
FSH Test – FAQs
What is the price of the FSH Test?
The Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test costs ₹450 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
What does a high FSH level mean for getting pregnant?
A high early-cycle FSH suggests the ovaries have fewer eggs left and need more stimulation. It can mean fertility treatment may respond less strongly, but many women with raised FSH still conceive. A fertility specialist will consider your age, AMH, scan and history before advising you.
Can an FSH test confirm menopause?
For most women over 45, menopause is recognised by 12 months without periods, and no test is needed. FSH helps when the picture is unclear, such as under 45, after a hysterectomy, or on some contraceptives. It is usually repeated, because FSH swings widely in the years around menopause.
Why does my FSH result change from month to month?
FSH varies naturally between cycles, and the variation grows as ovarian reserve falls. One normal value after a high one does not mean reserve has improved. This is why many clinics also test AMH, which stays more stable through the cycle and from month to month.
Is FSH checked in men?
Yes. FSH supports sperm production. When a semen analysis shows a low or zero sperm count, FSH helps show whether the testes are not making sperm or the pituitary signal is low. It is often tested with LH, testosterone and prolactin.
What is the difference between FSH and AMH tests?
FSH is a pituitary hormone that rises when the ovaries are less responsive, so it reflects reserve indirectly and varies by cycle day. AMH is made by small follicles themselves and reflects the remaining egg supply more directly. Fertility doctors often use both, together with an ultrasound follicle count.
Where can I get the FSH Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.