reference range (FSH)

Last reviewed 01/2018

IU/L

• <1-3 prepubertal
• 1-8 males
• 1-11 females; follicular and luteal phase
• 6-26 at ovulation
• 30-118 post-menopausal

Note that reference ranges may vary between laboratories.

NICE state that with respect to the menopause and perimenopause (1):

• diagnose the following without laboratory tests in otherwise healthy women aged over 45 years with menopausal symptoms:

  • perimenopause based on vasomotor symptoms and irregular periods
  • menopause in women who have not had a period for at least 12 months and are not using hormonal contraception
  • menopause based on symptoms in women without a uterus
    
    

• FSH test:

  • do not use a serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test to diagnose menopause in women using combined oestrogen and progestogen contraception or high-dose progestogen
    
    
  • consider using a FSH test to diagnose menopause only:
    • in women aged 40 to 45 years with menopausal symptoms, including a change in their menstrual cycle
      
      
    • n women aged under 40 years in whom menopause is suspected
      
      
      • diagnose premature ovarian insufficiency in women aged under 40 years based on:
        • menopausal symptoms, including no or infrequent periods (taking into account whether the woman has a uterus) and
        • elevated FSH levels on 2 blood samples taken 4-6 weeks apart

Reference:

• (1) NICE (November 2015). Menopause: diagnosis and management