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Personal Menopause Test --- FSHTest.com by TRANSMETRON
A follicle-stimulating hormone test measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a blood sample. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland.
The amounts of FSH and other hormones (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are measured in both a man and a woman to determine why the couple cannot become pregnant (infertility). The FSH level can help determine whether male or female sex organs (testicles or ovaries) are functioning properly.
A follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test may be done to:
How is the FSH Test Used? FSH is often used in conjunction with other tests (LH, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone) in the workup of infertility in both men and women. FSH levels are used to help determine the reason a man has a low sperm count. FSH levels are also useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities and to aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders or diseases involving the ovaries or testes. In children, FSH and LH are used to diagnose delayed or precocious (early) puberty. When is the FSH Test ordered? In women and men, FSH and LH are ordered as part of the workup of infertility and pituitary or gonadal disorders. FSH may be ordered to determine if a woman has reached menopause. In children, FSH and LH may be ordered when a boy or girl does not appear to be entering puberty at an appropriate age (either too late or too soon). Signs of puberty may include:
If any or some of these signs appear at a younger than average age or are delayed beyond the expected age range for puberty, it may be an indication of a more serious problem involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads (ovaries or testes) or other systems. The measurement of LH and FSH may differentiate between benign symptoms and true disease. Once it is established that symptoms are a result of true disease, further testing can be done to discern the underlying cause.
High FSH values in a woman may indicate:
High FSH values in a man may indicate:
High values in children may mean that puberty is about to start.
Low FSH values may indicate:
In women, FSH and
LH levels can
help to differentiate between primary ovarian failure (failure of the ovaries
themselves) and secondary ovarian failure (failure of the ovaries due to
disorders of either the pituitary or the hypothalamus). Increased levels of FSH
and LH are consistent with primary ovarian failure. Some causes of primary
ovarian failure are listed below.
Premature ovarian failure due to:
Chronic anovulation (failure to ovulate) due to:
When a woman enters
menopause and
her ovaries stop working, FSH levels will rise.
Testicular failure:
Low levels are consistent
with
pituitary or
hypothalamic disorders.
Normal prepubescent levels of LH and FSH in children exhibiting some signs of pubertal changes may indicate a benign form of precocious puberty with no underlying or discernable cause or may just be a normal variation of puberty. In delayed puberty, LH and FSH levels can be normal or below what is expected for a youth within the age range of puberty. The test for LH response to GnRH may need to be performed along with other testing to diagnose the reason for the delayed puberty. Some of the causes for delayed puberty can include:
What Affects the FSH Test? Results of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test may be affected by: · The use of hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone (including birth control pills). · Heavy cigarette smoking. · Age. · The use of medicines, such as cimetidine, clomiphene, digitalis, and levodopa. Make sure your health professional has a complete list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking, including herbs and natural substances. · Having a test such as a thyroid scan or bone scan that uses a radioactive substance within 1 week of the FSH test. Is there anything else I should know? FSH results can be increased with use of cimetidine, clomiphene, digitalis, and levodopa. FSH results can decrease with oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, and hormone treatments. If you’ve recently had a nuclear medicine scan, the radioisotopes used in the scan may interfere with results of the FSH test. The FSH Menopause Predictor Test is a rapid test for the detection of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) in urine to help predict menopause. Menopause is the permanent ending of menstruation. It is usually not diagnosed until one full year after a woman’s last menstrual period. The time leading up to menopause, and the 12 months after, is known as perimenopause. Many women experience symptoms during this time. These symptoms can include hot flashes, irregular menstrual cycles, sleep disorders and vaginal dryness. Hair loss, anxiety and mood swings, short-term memory loss and fatigue are some other possible symptoms. Perimenopause starts when hormone levels in the female body change. As the body ages, it produces less and less estrogen. FSH levels then increase as the hormone tries to stimulate the ovaries to produce a healthy egg. Therefore, testing for FSH can help determine if a woman’s body is producing too much FSH because of low estrogen levels and is in the perimenopause stage. If a woman knows she is in this stage, she can take steps to keep her body healthy and avoid the health risks that can come with menopause. These health risks include osteoporosis, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased risk of heart disease. Questions??? -- Give Us A Call at 801-596-2709WHEN TO TEST • If you still have monthly periods, take the first test during the first week of your cycle (Days 2-7, with Day 1 being the first day of menstruation). Repeat with the second test 1 week later. • If you no longer have regular periods, take the test at any time during the month. Repeat with the second test 1 week later. HOW TO USE • Remove the Test from the foil pouch. • Remove the Cap to expose the Absorbent Tip. • Hold the Test Wand by the Thumb Grip with the exposed Absorbent Tip downward and place directly into the urine stream for at least 10 seconds (see image). Do not urinate on the Test and Reference Windows. (If you prefer, you can urinate into a clean dry container. Dip only the Absorbent Tip of the Test Wand into the urine for at least 10 seconds.) • While holding the Absorbent Tip downward, immediately replace the cap and lay the Test Wand on a flat surface with the Test and Reference Windows facing upward while you wait for the test result. DO NOT move the test while the results are developing. As the test begins to work, you may notice a light pink color or horizontal lines flowing through the Test and Reference Windows. Wait 3 minutes from the time you held the Absorbent Tip in the urine to read the results. If no result appears, wait one minute longer. Do not read the result after 8 minutes have passed.
1. How does the menopause predictor test work? As your body ages and produces less estrogen, FSH levels increase as the hormone tries to stimulate the ovaries to produce a healthy egg. This test measures FSH and can tell you whether your body is producing too much FSH because of low estrogen levels. This can signal that you are in the perimenopause stage. 2. When can I use the test? We recommend performing the test using first morning urine as it contains the most hormone. This will give the most accurate result. If you are still menstruating, we recommend testing during the first week of your cycle (see “WHEN TO TEST”) and then retesting 1 week later. 3. If I see pink shading or horizontal lines in the result windows, is this normal? After urine is added, you will see a pink color gradually move across the Test and Reference windows. You may also see horizontal streaks. This is completely normal and indicates that the test is working properly. 4. I am not sure that I held the test in my urine stream long enough. Will I still get an accurate result? In order to get an accurate result, you should hold the Absorbent Tip of the Test in your urine stream for at least 10 seconds and wait 3 minutes to read the result. If the line in the Reference Window fails to develop, you should repeat the test. 5. Can I make contraceptive decisions based on the results of this test? No. This test cannot determine fertility. Continue to use contraception until your test results have been confirmed by your doctor. 6. How accurate is the test? In laboratory clinical studies, the test was shown to be >99% accurate when compared with another over-the-counter menopause test. In consumer studies, the test was shown to be >94% accurate overall. 7. How will I know the test worked? You must see a line in the Reference Window. If after 3-4 minutes you do not see a line in the Reference Window, then the test did not work properly. (Please refer to INVALID RESULT.) You should review the instructions and repeat with a new test. 8. Do alcohol or common medications affect the test? No, alcohol or common medications should not affect the test results, but you should consult your physician if you are taking any hormonal medication. Oral contraceptive use and pregnancy could also affect the test results.
POSITIVE Two lines are visible and the color intensity of the Test Line (T) is the same as the Reference Line (R). OR Two lines are visible and the color intensity of the Test Line (T) is darker than the Reference Line (R). A positive result means that your FSH level is higher than normal. Record your results in the table to the right. See the chart below to interpret your results. NEGATIVE Two lines are visible, but the Test Line (T) is lighter than the Reference Line (R). OR There is a Reference Line (R), but there is NO visible Test Line (T). A negative result means that your FSH levels are not elevated at this time. Record your results in the table to the right. See the chart below to interpret your results. INVALID If you see no Reference Line (R) after 3-4 minutes, the result is invalid. You should repeat the test. The test is not reusable. The most likely reasons for an invalid result are that not enough urine sample was used, or the test was performed the wrong way. Review the “HOW TO USE” section and repeat with a new test. STORAGE AND HANDLING: • Please read all the information in this leaflet before performing the test. • Do not use after the expiration date stamped on the foil pouch. • Store in a dry place at room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). Do not freeze. • For in-vitro diagnostic use only. Not to be taken internally. Keep out of reach of children. • Do not open the foil pouch until you are ready to start the test.
Contact InformationFor more information about our quality products or, if you are a clinic or hospital administrator and need bulk pricing, please call our sales office at (801) 596-2709 Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM MST.
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