Description
These tests measure the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your body; and as there is a link between FSH levels and menopause they can be useful in determining your fertility. FSH is often raised in women with irregular periods, and also in ageing women. A negative result with this test is a good indication that you are still fertile, however, it should not be taken as proof. A positive test indicates that your fertility is reduced. In this case, you should retest and if another positive result is returned then you should visit your doctor to discuss the results.
Test sensitivity: 25mIU/ml
Normal FSH range:
Male:
Before puberty: 0 – 5.0 mIU/ml
During puberty: 0.3 – 10.0 mIU/ml
Adult: 1.5 – 12.4 mIU/ml
Female:
Before puberty: 0 – 4.0 mIU/ml
During puberty: 0.3 – 10.0 mIU/ml
Women who are still menstruating: 4.7 – 21.5 mIU/ml
After menopause: 25.8 – 134.8 mIU/ml
When should you test?
The test can be taken at any time during the month, and a second test should be taken 1 week later. We recommend that you test using first-morning urine as it contains the most hormone and so will give a more accurate result.
Instructions for use:
- Determine the day to begin testing. You should take the first test on Day 3 i.e. 3 days after you start your period. Test 2 should be carried out 7 days later and the third test 7 days after the second test on so on.
- Collect a urine sample in a clean and dry container.
- To begin testing, open the sealed pouch and remove the strip. Do not remove the strip until you are ready to begin testing.
- With the arrows pointing downwards towards the urine, place the test strip vertically (straight) into the urine sample, for at least 10 seconds. DO NOT allow the urine to go above the MAX (maximum) level line.
- Remove the strip from the urine and place on a clean, dry surface. For best results, you should read the results at 5 minutes.
- Wait for coloured bands to appear. Depending on the concentration of FSH in the urine specimen, positive results may be observed in as short as 40 seconds. Do not read the result after 10 minutes. A positive result is where the test line is as dark or darker than the control line.
For more information on this test please read the included .pdf file by clicking here.
