The symptomatology depends on the disease causing the low or high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and varies between men and women.
In men presenting with low FSH levels leading to secondary hypogonadism or high FSH levels resulting from primary hypogonadism, the history reveals erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, infertility, and low energy.
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In those with hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea and/or gynecomastia may be present.
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Depending on the timing of the FSH abnormality, further questioning may indicate ambiguous genitalia at birth or a failure to undergo or complete puberty.
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Anosmia suggests Kallmann syndrome.
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Visual abnormalities, headaches, and other hormonal deficiencies suggest a mass or a destructive process involving the pituitary.
In men presenting with high FSH levels due to a gonadotroph adenoma, symptoms result from the mass effect (eg, headaches, visual impairment, hormonal deficiencies). However, erectile dysfunction and infertility may occur secondary to low LH levels caused by compression of the normal gonadotroph cells.
In women presenting with low FSH levels or high FSH levels secondary to ovarian failure, manifestations include oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
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Galactorrhea may be present in the setting of high prolactin levels.
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Symptoms of other pituitary hormone deficiencies may also be evident if a mass or a destructive process involves the pituitary gland.
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Women may have primary or secondary infertility.
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In women with ovarian failure, other symptoms may include hot flashes, sleep disturbance, mood swings, depression, vagin*l dryness and dyspareunia, urinary incontinence, and urinary tract infections.
In women with high FSH levels from a gonadotroph adenoma, symptoms are frequently due to mass effect (eg, headaches, visual changes, hypopituitarism). However, a high FSH level may also lead to ovarian hyperstimulation in premenopausal women, with multiple ovarian cysts [2] and a thickened endometrium; this leads to disturbed menstrual cycles, ie, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
FAQs
Higher levels of FSH are often a sign of a condition in the reproductive glands (ovaries or testicl*s) that prevents them from making normal levels of sex hormones. The pituitary responds by making more FSH to try to get them to work properly.
What diseases are associated with FSH? ›
Elevated levels of FSH are associated with unresponsive gonads or hyperfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Low levels of FSH are associated with either hypothalamic or anterior pituitary dysfunction.
What is the cause of follicle stimulating hormone? ›
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein gonadotropin secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released by the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland also secretes luteinizing hormone (LH), another gonadotropin. FSH and LH are composed of alpha and beta subunits.
What are the symptoms of a follicle stimulating hormone imbalance? ›
Women with high FSH levels may experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. Fatigue: Hormonal imbalances, including high FSH, can contribute to feelings of fatigue and decreased energy levels.
How does high FSH make you feel? ›
Symptoms of high FSH levels
Irregular periods or no periods. Hot flashes and/or night sweats. Skin and hair changes. Difficulty conceiving.
Can anxiety cause high FSH? ›
Continuous evaluation by cycle phase indicated that recent daily stress was associated with lower total and free E2 and LH during the follicular phase and with lower progesterone and higher FSH during the luteal phase.
What organs are affected by FSH? ›
Follicle stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland. It regulates the functions of both the ovaries and testes.
Can infection cause high FSH levels? ›
In adult males, high levels of FSH may mean: testicular disorders due to infection, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
How do you treat high FSH levels in females? ›
Treatment for high fsh levels in females
Various fertility treatments are available to help increase your likelihood of carrying a successful pregnancy. Fertility medications: Gonadotropins, which are injectable hormones, may be used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs.
What does an FSH test tell you? ›
In women, FSH helps manage the menstrual cycle and stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate: Menopause. Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cysts.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone that plays a significant role in sexual development and reproduction by affecting the function of the ovaries and testes. It works alongside luteinizing hormone (LH).
What does a positive FSH urine test mean? ›
A positive test indicates that you may be in a stage of menopause. If you have a positive test, or if you have any symptoms of menopause, you should see your doctor. Do not stop taking contraceptives based on the results of these tests because they are not foolproof and you could become pregnant.
What are the emotional effects of FSH? ›
In the current study, we found that FSH signaling deficiency increases anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and alters neuroendocrine metabolism in the central nervous system.
How does FSH affect behavior? ›
FSHR ablation reduced GCLm and G6PD protein levels, leading to oxidative stress and thus depression-like behaviors. Consistently, FSH increased GCLm and G6PD protein levels and decreased ROS production.
How do you know if your hormones are imbalanced? ›
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
- Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements.
- Numbness and tingling in your hands.
- Higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels.
- Depression or anxiety.
High FSH levels could also indicate poor ovarian reserve — also known as impaired ovarian reserve, premature ovarian aging, premature ovarian insufficiency, or declining ovarian reserve. In this condition, you either have relatively few eggs left in the ovaries, or impaired development or recruitment of the eggs.
What can cause false high FSH level? ›
The presence of heterophilic antibodies directed against antibodies of different animal species present in immunoassay [21], found in cases of rheumatoid arthritis for example, can also lead to falsely high or falsely low results in commonly used immunoassays such as FSH, LH, hCG or AMH.
What could be the cause for low FSH? ›
Low FSH levels in women may be present due to: Being very underweight or having had recent rapid weight loss. Not producing eggs (not ovulating) Parts of the brain (the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) not producing normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.
How do you fix high FSH levels? ›
The FSH level is actually fairly easy to lower medically (with estrogen, the birth control pill, Lupron, etc.), but the underlying problem (diminished ovarian reserve) that causes the elevated FSH cannot necessarily be “fixed.”
