FSH, LH & Prolactin near me in Kochi
Understanding FSH, LH & Prolactin in Kochi
What is FSH, LH & Prolactin in Kochi?
An FSH, LH & Prolactin test, also known as Hormonal Profile, is specially tailored to evaluate reproductive health in males and females by testing for FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and prolactin hormone. It is available at an affordable price in Kochi with Tata 1mg Labs. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin hormone are pivotal for reproductive health in both men and women. Produced in the anterior pituitary gland, in women, FSH and LH are vital for ovulation and menstrual cycles, while prolactin is essential for milk production. In men, FSH and LH play a crucial role in sperm production and testosterone levels, with prolactin influencing testosterone levels.
An FSH, LH & Prolactin test may be recommended for women experiencing symptoms like irregular or heavy menstrual periods, difficulty conceiving, and other reproductive issues. In men, the test is advised in cases of low sperm count, fertility issues, indications of low testosterone such as reduced sex drive or muscle mass, and symptoms of other hormonal imbalances. An FSH, LH & Prolactin test offers crucial information to guide additional testing and treatment for infertility or other reproductive issues. Usually, overnight fasting is required for this test. Therefore, do not eat or drink anything except water before the test. In women, the preferred time to collect the sample is the second or third day of the menstrual cycle.
What does FSH, LH & Prolactin measure?
Contains 3 testsAn FSH, LH & Prolactin test measures levels of three hormones, namely follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin, that are critical for reproductive function in males and females. This hormonal test is conducted to address various issues associated with the process of ovulation, fertility, and reproductive organs.
The levels of these hormones are typically low at younger ages, but as adolescence approaches, the brain starts producing GnRH. GnRH is responsible for initiating the changes in puberty and signaling the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH into your blood.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
The Follicle Stimulating Hormone test measures the level of FSH in your body. FSH is produced and subsequently released into the blood by the pituitary gland. Its production is controlled by a feedback mechanism involving a hormone situated in the hypothalamus in the brain. The released FSH travels through your blood and then attaches to receptors in the ovaries and testes. It exerts functional effects on the reproductive organs, such as sexual development, puberty, and maturation. FSH levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle in response to estradiol and progesterone. Any disruption or issue in this feedback mechanism can prevent the normal function of the testicles or ovaries. Thus, determining its level provides crucial information regarding your health.
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Serum Prolactin
The Serum Prolactin test measures the levels of prolactin hormone in a person’s body. During pregnancy, prolactin, estrogen, and progesterone hormones stimulate breast milk development. Following childbirth, prolactin helps initiate and maintain the breast milk supply. If a woman does not breastfeed, her prolactin concentration will soon drop back to pre-pregnancy levels.
Besides pregnancy, the most common cause of elevated prolactin concentration is prolactinoma, a prolactin-producing tumor of the pituitary gland. Prolactinomas are the most common type of pituitary tumor and are usually benign (non-cancerous). They develop more frequently in women but are also found in men.
If the pituitary gland and/or the tumor enlarge significantly, it can put pressure on the optic nerve, causing headaches and visual disturbances, and can interfere with the other hormones that the pituitary gland produces.
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Luteinising Hormone
The Luteinising Hormone test determines the level of luteinizing hormone that promotes the functioning of the gonads, i.e., testes in men and ovaries in women. LH is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland situated at the base of the brain. The production and release of LH are controlled by a system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. A hormone called GnRH is released from the hypothalamus of the brain and binds to the cell receptors in the anterior pituitary gland, which in turn prompts the synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone. LH then travels across the blood and attaches to its target cells in the testes in men and ovaries in women to facilitate optimal sexual and reproductive activities.
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