Why it is performed
- Investigate irregular cycles, absent periods or menopausal symptoms.
- Guide assessment of ovulation and fertility.
- Investigate hyperprolactinaemia, polycystic ovary syndrome or other endocrine disorders.
- Monitor fertility treatment or hormone therapy.
How it is performed
Collection day depends on the hormone. FSH, LH and estradiol are often requested early in the cycle for selected questions; progesterone is timed relative to ovulation rather than a fixed “day 21” for everyone.
Preparation
- Record the first day of the last period, usual cycle length, contraception and hormone treatment.
- For prolactin, avoid exercise, breast stimulation and intense stress; rest 15–30 minutes if instructed.
- Report possible pregnancy, breastfeeding, biotin and medication.
- Do not interpret a hormone without cycle day and method.
How Askabide processes it
Combined pathway
FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin and other hormones may be processed by ichroma II fluorescence immunoassay when Askabide keeps the cartridge active and validated. AMH, progesterone and other tests are local only when implemented; otherwise referred.
Part is performed at Askabide and another phase or confirmation is processed externally.
Results and indicative intervals
Intervals vary by method, analyser, reagent, units, age, sex, pregnancy, menstrual-cycle phase and reference population. The valid interval is the one printed on the laboratory report.
| Parameter or result | Indicative reference | How it is interpreted |
|---|---|---|
| FSH, follicular phase | ≈3–10 UI/L | May rise with reduced ovarian reserve or menopause, but a single value does not measure fertility by itself. |
| LH, follicular phase | ≈2–12 UI/L | Peaks around ovulation; range depends strongly on timing. |
| Estradiol, follicular phase | ≈20–350 pg/mL | The interval is broad and changes throughout the cycle. |
| Progesterone, follicular phase | Habitualmente <1,5 ng/mL | Should rise after ovulation; timing is crucial. |
| Progesterone, luteal phase | Aproximadamente 3–25 ng/mL | A single value is limited for assessing luteal quality because secretion is pulsatile. |
| Prolactin | ≈5–25 ng/mL en mujer no gestante | Stress, sleep, pregnancy, breastfeeding and medicines may raise it. |
| AMH | Age- and method-dependent | Provides information on follicular reserve; it does not guarantee pregnancy or egg quality. |
Important limitations
- Intervals change markedly with cycle phase, pregnancy, age and treatment.
- Low ovarian reserve is not the same as infertility and high AMH does not guarantee fertility.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome is not diagnosed with a single hormone.
- Raised prolactin should be repeated under suitable conditions and macroprolactin or secondary causes considered when appropriate.