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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Exploring Independent Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone In Vivo in a Mouse Model
Published on: August 11, 2023
Extremely high follicle-stimulating hormone with normal ovarian function
Yu Chen1, Jana Bubar2, Chelsey Flemming2
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Network, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Discipline of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Abstract:
The work-up for a discrepant immunoassay result is challenging. A 34-year-old woman with normal menstruation and ovarian function had high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) around 100-200 IU/L by Roche elecsys e602 (reference interval 3.0-14.0 IU/L). Magnetic resonance imaging excluded pituitary tumors. A dilution study indicated an interference, however, a heterophilic antibody was not identified. After IgG depletion by protein A/G resin, the FSH recovery was 26% and FSH concentration dropped to 20.2 IU/L. This rare macro-FSH case should be brought to the attention of clinical laboratorians, obstetrician-gynecologists, and reproductive endocrinologists.
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