Follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin, FSH) - a representative of gonadotropic hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland. In the female body, the scope of FSH application is the sex glands - the ovaries.. Hypergonadotropic disorders, or conditions where follicle-stimulating hormone is elevated in women, may be due to:.

primary gonadal insufficiency;

pituitary diseases;

ectopic (outside the pituitary) hormonal secretion;

premature hormone production.

A physiological increase in the concentration of FSH is noted during the period of extinction of the reproductive function and after the onset of menopause.. This is due to a decrease and subsequent cessation of the functional activity of the gonads.. The pituitary gland seeks to spur their work, but there is no hormonal response, as the follicular supply of the ovaries is depleted, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old.. net The causes and consequences of changes in the level of follitropin are easier to imagine, knowing its properties and regulation system.

FSH in women may increase due to pathologies of the pituitary gland or ovaries. Properties of the follicle-stimulating hormone Follitropin is produced in men and women. FSH receptors are located on the cell membranes of the gonads. In the female body, the hormone regulates the menstrual cycle, the phase of which determines its content in the blood plasma..

Age, phase of the menstrual cycle.

Reference interval, mIU/ml.

Phase follicular.

3.5–12.5.

Phase ovulatory.

4.7–21.5.

Phase luteal.

1.7–7.7.

Postmenopause.

25.8–134.8.

In the first half of the cycle, the concentration of follitropin gradually increases, stimulating the growth of the dominant follicle and the maturation of the egg in it, triggering the synthesis of estradiol. In the middle of the cycle, a peak increase in the level of the hormone occurs, which makes ovulation possible and creates optimal conditions for the work of the corpus luteum in the luteal phase.. After that, the content of follitropin decreases, but begins to grow before menstruation, if fertilization has not occurred, t. connections between sperm and egg.

A clear cyclicity of processes is provided by several mechanisms of regulation. Responsible for the secretion of FSH: the cerebral cortex, the hypothalamus, which synthesizes follitropin-releasing hormone, estradiol and progesterone on a feedback basis, the hormones inhibin and activin, which are produced by the ovaries.

Symptoms of a high level of FSH.

Pathology of the pituitary glandThe reason for the increase in FSH may be tumor processes in the pituitary gland, provoking excessive synthesis of follitropin. Most often it is an adenoma with hormonal activity - gonadotropinoma. The etiology of the neoplasm in many cases remains unknown.. A certain importance in the development of pathology is attached to:.

traumatic brain injury;

infectious diseases of the central nervous system;

intoxications;

pathological course of pregnancy and childbirth;

use of oral contraceptives.

Most often, tumors of the glandular tissue of the pituitary gland appear in adults.. This leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle, infertility, miscarriage. In rare cases, the development of hormonally active adenomas occurs in children, this is fraught with premature sexual development - the appearance of symptoms of puberty in girls under the age of 8 years:.

breast growth;

appearance of pubic hair;

enlargement of the uterus and appendages corresponding to puberty;

the occurrence of bloody discharge from the vagina or even regular menstruation.

This process is accompanied by accelerated growth and differentiation of bone tissue, and, as a result, premature closure of growth zones.. As a result of the latter, short stature develops.

The cause of excess FSH production may be the production of the hormone outside the pituitary gland.

Ectopic secretion of gonadotropins Abnormal secretion of gonadotropins, which, in addition to FSH, include luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin, is possible with some malignant neoplasms. Such tumors affect the lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver, stomach, intestines, mammary glands..

It should be noted that this type of secretion is more related to chorionic gonadotropin, since the production of follicle-stimulating hormone outside the anterior pituitary gland is extremely rare.. However, this factor should be included in the list of causes leading to a violation of the normal concentration of follitropin in the blood serum..

Premature production of FSH Hypergonadotropic disorders due to premature secretion of follitropin can be caused by:.

constitutional precocious puberty;

tumor processes and damage to the central nervous system;

chronic renal failure.

Early increase in the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in constitutional precocious puberty is associated with stimulation of a special center in the hypothalamus.. Until now, the cellular changes leading to such disorders have not been finally elucidated.. Prematurely started work of the ovaries in this condition does not differ from the function of the gonads of healthy women. Such girls usually do not suffer from other diseases, and their development corresponds to normal puberty, only it comes much earlier. Bone growth is ahead of age, and tooth growth is somewhat behind, as is mental development, which later reaches the level of peers.

Primary insufficiency of the gonads Excess of normal FSH levels is noted with gonadal dysgenesis, surgical removal of the gonads. The defect in the development of the ovaries is associated with a violation of their embryonic formation.. This may be the result of chromosomal abnormalities, gene mutations, or toxic effects on the fetus.. It proceeds in the form of the Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome, the main manifestations of which are expressed in the underdevelopment of sexual characteristics, combined with the absence of menstruation..

In such patients, underdevelopment of the genital organs is typically accompanied by short stature, a peculiar fit of the head, the presence of pterygoid skin folds on the sides of the neck, and bone anomalies.. In laboratory studies, in addition to high levels of gonadotropins, there is a sharp decrease in the concentration of female sex hormones - estrogen.

Premature ovarian failure syndrome All of these conditions lead to an increase in FSH in the blood, but they are much less common than premature ovarian failure syndrome. It is characterized by the absence of menstrual bleeding and the presence of vegetative manifestations (hot flashes, sweating, etc.).. ) in patients under 38 years of age with a normal cycle and a history of reproductive function. The reason for these changes may be:.

chromosomal abnormalities;

ionizing radiation;

toxic effects of chemicals;

teratogenic drugs;

viral infections;

autoimmune diseases;

smoking;

rigid low-calorie diets.

The impact of provoking factors can be isolated or combined..

How to normalize the level of FSH in the blood Different approaches are used to correct elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone. The choice of method depends on the cause of the growth of follitropin:.

Tumor processes can be eliminated by radiosurgery or surgery.

Gonadal dysgenesis requires hormone replacement therapy, as does lean ovary syndrome.

Both gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and gonadotropic receptor inhibitors are used to treat increased secretion of gonadotropins..

It is important to lower the FSH content to normal values, since its high level leads to dysfunctional uterine bleeding, miscarriage, infertility and, therefore, disrupts the woman's quality of life.

neboleem. net.