- Fasting and prep
- No fasting needed. If you have periods, your clinician may ask for a draw on cycle day 2 to 4. For men, a morning draw alongside testosterone is common.
- Turnaround
- Usually 1 to 3 days.
- Also called
- fsh test, lh test, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, fsh lh blood test
What it measures
FSH helps eggs mature and supports sperm production. LH triggers ovulation and tells the testes to make testosterone. When the ovaries or testes slow down, the pituitary pushes FSH and LH up. When the pituitary itself underperforms, they stay low or normal despite low sex hormones. Levels change across the menstrual cycle, with an LH surge just before ovulation.
Who should consider it
- People with irregular or missing periods
- Couples going through fertility testing
- Men with low testosterone, to find the cause
- People with symptoms of early menopause
How to read your result
- Use the ranges printed on your report. They depend on sex, age, and cycle phase.
- High FSH and LH with low estradiol or testosterone points toward the ovaries or testes.
- Low or normal FSH and LH with low sex hormones points toward the pituitary or hypothalamus.
- One FSH value does not predict whether you can get pregnant, and it does not diagnose menopause on its own.
Reference ranges differ between labs. Use the range printed on your own report.
What to do next
Review the results with a clinician alongside estradiol or testosterone. Unexpected results are usually repeated before any decision.
Where to order FSH and LH
These sellers include an independent physician order. You pay online and visit a partner lab. Availability, price, and lab network vary, so confirm at checkout.
Private MD Labs
Online lab seller- Order
- Every order reviewed by a physician. Says you pay $1 to start and the rest after results.
- Results
- Secure online portal with plain-English explanations. Says many results arrive overnight.
HealthLabs
Online lab seller- Order
- Online or by phone. No doctor referral or insurance needed.
- Results
- Secure HealthLabs account. Says 1 to 3 business days.
Walk-In Lab
Online lab seller- Order
- Online, no insurance or doctor order needed. Shows a $6 physician fee per order on popular tests.
- Results
- Online account. Turnaround not stated on its homepage.
Quest Health
Lab-run- Order
- Buy online and book a Quest appointment. An independent provider is involved.
- Results
- Online as soon as ready, with an email alert. Provider discussion included at no extra cost.
Seller details come from each seller's own site and can change. Confirm price, lab location, and state availability at checkout.
Ordering several tests? Plan them together · Filter all sellers
Questions people ask
What does a high FSH mean?
It often means the ovaries or testes need extra signaling, as happens around menopause. Your clinician reads it with other hormones and your history.
Should men test FSH and LH?
Often, yes, when testosterone is low. They help show whether the cause sits in the testes or the pituitary.
Can I order FSH and LH without a doctor?
Yes. Online lab sellers offer them separately and in fertility or hormone panels.
Related tests
- EstradiolMeasures the main, most active form of estrogen.
- Free and total testosteroneTotal testosterone plus the unbound, active fraction.
- ProlactinChecks a pituitary hormone linked to periods, libido, and milk.
- Testosterone, totalChecks total testosterone when symptoms suggest it may be low.
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