Educational information only. At Precursor, hormone testing is requested and reviewed by a clinician and considered alongside your history and other markers, not as a stand-alone diagnosis. Testing is performed in NATA-accredited laboratories to ISO 15189 standards.

What is FSH?

FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, is made by the pituitary gland and, as its name suggests, stimulates the growth of egg-containing follicles in women and supports sperm production in men. It is the natural partner to LH in governing reproductive health.

Why it matters

FSH is particularly useful in understanding fertility and menopausal status, and in locating where a hormonal issue sits within the reproductive axis. Read with LH and the sex hormones, it helps a clinician build a clear picture of reproductive function.

What your results can mean

Higher than expected

A high FSH can indicate the ovaries or testes are under-responding, prompting the pituitary to push harder, and rising FSH is a hallmark of the approach to menopause. It is interpreted alongside your other hormones.

Lower than expected

A low FSH can point toward a pituitary or signalling issue, and is read within the overall hormonal picture.

Reference ranges in Australia

FSH is reported in international units per litre (IU/L), and expected values depend on sex and, in women, the phase of the cycle and menopausal status. Read your result against your own report and alongside LH.

Understanding your hormones with Precursor

FSH is most meaningful read with LH and your sex hormones. At Precursor, hormone testing is requested and reviewed by a clinician, so your result is read in context. If this is something you would like to understand, you can speak with Precursor's clinical team about whether testing is right for you.