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Test Code LAB86 Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Blood

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: None

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Mint green-top lithium heparin (MNTGRN LiHep) tube

Acceptable: Green samplette/microtainer, plain red-top tube, Gold/ SST gel tube, or Lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility and collected in a microtainer, plain red-top tube or lavender-top tube aliquot processed sample into a plastic vial for transport (labeling with specimen type).

Specimen Collection Volume: 2.0 mL (minimum 0.6 mL)

Special Instructions: Send to lab promptly

 

Sample Rejection

Mislabled or unlabeled specimens

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday

Cut-off time: None, performed as received

Turnaround Time: Same Day; 2 hours from receipt in performing lab

Reference Values

Reference Interval: 

Pre-pubertal: <4.0 IUnits/L                                                                                  
 Note: pre-pubertal ranges may not be applicable to neonates and young infants                                            
Adults:
    Males 1.0-15.0 IUnits/L                                                           
    Females  
         Follicular: 3.0-13.0 IUnits/L
         Midcycle: 4.0-22.0 IUnits/L
         Luteal: 1.0-9.0 IUnits/L
         Postmenopausal: 25.0-135.0 IUnits/L                                                             

Critical Value: None established

 

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) sandwich principle

Limitations

  • In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur.

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge to separate. If specimen is collected in a microtainer, plain red-top tube, or lavender-top tube aliquot sample into a Roche false-bottom tube for testing (labeling aliquot with specimen type).

Processed Volume: minimum 0.3 mL plasma/serum

Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)  Ambient 12 hours
Plasma/Serum (processed) Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Ambient  24 hours    
  Frozen  6 months      
Specimen is only stable for one Freeze /thaw cycle

Test Classification and CPT Code

83001

LOINC

20433-9

Last Reviewed

06/2025