Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is
produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland abreast the academician that
plays an important role in animal development. An FSH analysis measures the
akin of this hormone in the bloodstream.
In kids, FSH levels are commonly low. As
adolescence approaches (usually amid ages 10 and 14), the academician produces
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which starts the changes against animal
maturity. GnRH signals the pituitary gland to absolution two added adolescence
hormones into the bloodstream: FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). Doctors
generally adjustment a analysis for LH if acclimation a claret analysis for
FSH.
In boys, FSH and LH plan calm to get the
testes to activate bearing testosterone, the hormone amenable for the concrete
changes of adolescence and the assembly of sperm.
In girls, FSH and LH alert the ovaries
to activate bearing the hormone estrogen, which causes a girl's physique to
complete and prepares her for menstruation.
Because FSH and LH plan so carefully with
anniversary other, doctors generally adjustment these tests together, as
able-bodied tests for testosterone (the macho sex hormone) and estradiol (a
anatomy of estrogen, the changeable sex hormone). Taken together, the
after-effects can generally accommodate a added complete account of a child's
animal maturation.