Menopause (Amenorrhea) Profile


Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and 
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) are female reproductive system hormones, produced in the pituitary gland, whose normal ranges routinely vary during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. The menstrual cycle is characterized by changes in hormone concentrations that regulate the development and release of a mature egg from the ovary and coordinate preparation of the endometrium for fertilization and implantation. Measurement of these hormones is useful in the diagnosis of infertility, menopause, and certain tumors. FSH levels in post menopausal women vary from 40 to 250 U/L. LH levels in post-menopausal women vary from 5.0 to 52.3 mlU/L.

Estradiol (E-2)
Estradiol, the most important estrogen in the body, is a steroid hormone that has many functions in females. It is responsible for growth of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina; breast development; maturation of the external genitalia; disposition of body fat in females; and termination of linear growth. Estradiol stimulates the proliferation of the endometrium in the first half of the menstrual cycle. The test is of value, when measured together with other hormones, in evaluating ovarian, placental, and/or adrenal function, menstrual and fertility problems, and in evaluating the menopausal state. Estradiol levels, in post-menopausal women, vary from 5 to 8 pg/ml.

DHEA Sulfate
This test is used to evaluate the function of the adrenal glands. DHEA – Sulfate is measured in women exhibiting symptoms of virilism (male body characteristics) or hirsutism (excessive hair growth) because the adrenal gland is the major, if not the only, source of androgens (male hormones) in women. It is also measured as part of a fertility work-up, to rule out adrenal dysfunction resulting in early menopause, in children with precocious puberty, and to screen for rare genetic diseases resulting from deficient steroid-synthetic (creates steroids) enzymes. Normal range is 35 to 430 mcg/dl.

Progesterone 
Progesterone is a hormone that is made in, and released from, the corpus luteum, the placenta, and the adrenal gland. In women, progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy and the breast for lactation. This test can also be used to monitor patients on progesterone replacement therapy, the detection of ovulation, and the status of the corpus luteum. In patients, who are post-menopausal, progesterone levels will be less than 0.8 ng/ml.