IHC Marker - FSH: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - FSH
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | FSH Immunohistochemistry, FSH IHC, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Immunostain, FSH-beta Immunohistochemistry |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block, obtained via biopsy or surgical resection |
| Fasting Required | No. This test is performed on tissue samples, not blood or urine |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Males and females of all ages, primarily patients with suspected pituitary tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker – FSH Test?
The IHC marker-FSH test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the presence and amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) protein directly within a tissue sample. It uses a technique called 'immunohistochemistry' (IHC), a laboratory method that uses specific antibodies to detect the presence of a particular protein in tissue sections. The test is also known as 'FSH IHC' or 'FSH immunohistochemistry'. It is ordered by specialists, typically after a biopsy or surgical removal of a pituitary tumour, to help classify the tumour type.
What Does an IHC Marker – FSH Test Measure?
The FSH IHC test examines tissue at a microscopic level to detect the presence and amount of FSH protein within tumour or gland cells. The findings help pathologists classify the type of pituitary lesion present.
| Component | What It Assesses |
|---|---|
| FSH protein expression | Whether the FSH protein is present in the tissue cells |
| Antibody-antigen binding | Specific attachment of FSH antibodies to the FSH protein in the tissue section |
| Cell lineage | Whether tumour cells belong to the gonadotroph lineage of the pituitary gland |
| Staining intensity score | The degree of FSH expression: negative (0), weak (1), moderate (2) or strong (3) |
Only moderate (score 2) or strong (score 3) staining is considered meaningful when interpreting results.
Why is an IHC Marker – FSH Test Done?
This test is a specialised diagnostic tool used primarily to evaluate pituitary gland tumours. A doctor may order it after a biopsy or surgical removal of pituitary tissue.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to order a pituitary tumour workup, which can include this test:
- Visual disturbances, such as blurred or double vision
- Persistent or unexplained headaches
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Unexplained infertility
- Symptoms of hormonal imbalance (fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts)
- Signs of pituitary gland dysfunction
- Neurological symptoms suggesting a mass effect on surrounding brain structures
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test is used in the tissue-level evaluation of the following conditions:
- Pituitary adenoma classification (as per the WHO cell-lineage based system)
- Gonadotroph adenoma, a benign tumour of the anterior pituitary gland that may express FSH, LH or both
- Non-functioning pituitary adenomas, the majority of which are of gonadotroph origin
- Functioning FSH-secreting pituitary tumours, which are rare neuroendocrine tumours
- Thyroid tumours, where FSH receptor expression may assist in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions
- Null cell adenoma (ruled out when FSH staining is negative)
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The FSH test procedure for immunohistochemistry differs from routine blood tests. Here is what you need to know before and during the process.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This test is performed on a tissue sample, not on blood or any body fluid that is affected by food intake. Follow any preparation instructions given specifically for your biopsy or surgical procedure.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Carry any relevant imaging reports, such as MRI findings, to help the pathologist interpret results accurately.
- If a previous biopsy was performed, bring the earlier histopathology report.
- Follow any pre-operative or pre-biopsy instructions provided by your treating doctor.
- Inform your doctor about any chemotherapy or radiation therapy you may have received before the biopsy, as these can affect tissue protein expression.
- No dietary changes or medication adjustments are needed specifically for this test.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Your doctor collects a tissue sample through a biopsy or surgical procedure. For pituitary tumours, this is typically done via transsphenoidal surgery (through the nasal passage).
- The collected tissue is preserved in formalin to maintain the structure of cells and proteins. This creates the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block.
- The FFPE block is thinly sliced into sections and mounted onto glass slides for staining.
- Slides undergo deparaffinisation and rehydration before an FSH-specific antibody is applied to the tissue section.
- The antibody binds to the FSH protein present in the tissue. A staining agent makes these binding sites visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and scores the intensity of FSH expression. The completed report is dispatched to your doctor.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
- Poor tissue fixation or delays between biopsy and preservation
- Over-fixation, which can mask the protein sites needed for antibody binding
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can alter protein expression in tumour tissue
- Very small tissue samples that may not provide sufficient material for analysis
- Technical factors in the laboratory, including antibody quality and equipment calibration
- The age, type and preservation quality of tissue being tested
Understanding Your IHC Marker – FSH Test Results
Results from this test must be reviewed by a qualified pathologist alongside your clinical history, imaging findings and serum hormone levels. The table below shows general interpretation guidelines.
| Finding | Score or Description | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| FSH staining in non-pituitary tissue | Negative | Normal; FSH protein not expected here |
| FSH staining in anterior pituitary | Positive | Normal gonadotroph cell identification |
| Tumour tissue: strong staining | Score 3 | Significant FSH expression; consistent with gonadotroph adenoma |
| Tumour tissue: moderate staining | Score 2 | Meaningful FSH expression; further clinical correlation needed |
| Tumour tissue: weak staining | Score 1 | Low-level expression; clinical significance assessed in context |
| Tumour tissue: no staining | Score 0 (negative) | May suggest null cell adenoma or non-gonadotroph tumour lineage |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain factors can influence how results are interpreted:
- Tissue fixation duration affects reliability. Formalin creates cross-links within proteins, and over-fixation can block the protein sites needed for antibody attachment, making results difficult to interpret.
- Prior cancer treatment is also relevant. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy before the biopsy can change the pattern of protein expression in tumour cells, which may affect how results are scored and read.
- Tissue preserved using certain chemicals other than standard formalin may yield less consistent results.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
This test is a diagnostic tool for tumour classification, not a routine wellness screen. The following general guidance applies after a pituitary tumour diagnosis:
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your endocrinologist for a complete hormonal evaluation after any pituitary procedure.
- Maintain a balanced diet and adequate rest during recovery from surgery or biopsy.
- Keep records of all test reports, imaging studies and clinical correspondence for your treating team.
- Follow your specialist's recommended schedule for subsequent imaging or laboratory reviews.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker – FSH Price
The FSH test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a tissue sample from a biopsy or surgical procedure and cannot be performed via home collection. You will need to visit a Lupin Diagnostics centre or have your tissue block submitted through your treating hospital.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the IHC marker – FSH test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or coordinate with your treating hospital for tissue block submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample receipt.
Home Collection
No, home collection is not available for this test. It requires a tissue block from a biopsy or surgical procedure, which can only be collected at a healthcare centre. The FFPE tissue block is then submitted to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for processing and analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test detects the FSH protein expression in tissue samples using immunohistochemistry. It is primarily used to classify pituitary adenomas, particularly to identify gonadotroph adenomas, which are the most common type of non-functioning pituitary tumours.
No, these are two different tests. A blood FSH test measures the amount of FSH hormone circulating in your bloodstream. The IHC marker – FSH test detects the FSH protein directly within tumour tissue obtained from a biopsy or surgery.
No fasting is required. The test is carried out on a tissue sample, not on blood or any fluid affected by diet. You only need to follow the preparation instructions given for your biopsy or surgical procedure.
The tissue is collected by your doctor through a biopsy or surgical procedure. For pituitary tumours, this is most commonly done via transsphenoidal surgery, performed through the nasal passage. Your doctor will explain the collection process in detail before the procedure.
The pathologist needs your clinical background, including symptoms, imaging reports and previous test results, to interpret FSH staining patterns accurately. Without this context, it is difficult to determine whether a positive or negative result is clinically meaningful.
Results are typically available within 3 days of the tissue sample being received at the laboratory. The process involves multiple steps, including tissue processing, staining and expert pathologist review.
No, home collection is not available for this test. It requires a tissue block from a biopsy or surgical procedure, which can only be collected at a healthcare centre. The FFPE tissue block is then submitted to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for processing and analysis.
IHC Marker - FSH: Booking, Price, and Results
