Normal values ​​of six sex hormones in children

The six-item test of sex hormones in children measures the levels of sex hormones to understand the endocrine function of children and diagnose diseases related to endocrine disorders in children. People usually check the six sex hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and prolactin. These six tests can basically meet the doctor's needs to check whether the child's endocrine system is imbalanced and understand the physiological functions. So what are the normal values ​​of the six sex hormones in children?

1. Luteinizing hormone (hLH)

Reference range: Adult male: 1.24-8.62, Female: Follicular phase: 2.12-10.89, Ovulation phase: 19.8-103.3, Luteal phase: 1.20-12.86, Menopause: 10.87-58.64

2. Follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH)

Reference range: Adult male: 1.27-12.96, Female: Follicular phase: 3.85-8.78, Ovulation phase: 4.54-22.51, Luteal phase: 1.79-5.12, Menopause: 16.74-113.5

3. Prolactin (PRL)

Reference range: Adult male: 2.64-13.13, Female: <50 years old 3.34-26.72, >50 years old 2.74-19.64

4. Progesterone (Prog)

Reference range: Adult male: 0.10-0.84, Female: Follicular phase: 0.31-1.52, Luteal phase: 5.16-18.56, Menopausal phase: 0.08-0.78

5. Estradiol (ESTRDL)

Reference range: Adult male: 20-75, Female: Follicular phase: 24-114, Luteal phase: 80-273, Menopausal phase: 20-88

6. Testosterone (TESTO)

Reference range: Adult male: 176-789, Female: Follicular phase: 10-75

Inspection method

The inspection items are different and the attention methods are also different. The inspection content can be a full check or a single item check.

1. To check estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, 2 ml is required for each test, also after venous serum separation.

2. To check testosterone, 2 ml of venous serum is drawn. The commonly used method is radioimmunoassay, which can be measured after the serum is separated.

3. Prolactin should be checked on an empty stomach, with serum drawn around 9 a.m.

4. Check luteinizing hormone. Although it is also a radioimmunoassay test, because luteinizing hormone is secreted in a pulsed manner, it is best to collect samples 3-4 times within 1 hour and then mix them together for measurement, which is more accurate.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms in women include breast development, enlargement of the labia minora, estrogen-dependent changes in vaginal mucosal cells, enlargement of the uterus and ovaries, appearance of pubic hair, and menarche. In men, symptoms include enlarged testicles and penis, appearance of pubic hair, developed muscles, and a deeper voice. Both men and women experience accelerated growth and bone maturation, which may ultimately lead to a lifetime height below the target height. When accompanied by central nervous system diseases such as intracranial tumors, there may be headache, vomiting, vision changes or other neurological symptoms and signs.

The linear growth acceleration during puberty in female children usually occurs 6 to 12 months after the onset of breast development and lasts for 1 to 2 years; however, it may occur later, with about 5% of children showing it 1 year before menarche or in the year of menarche. In boys, accelerated growth occurs when the testicular volume is 8 to 10 ml or one year before voice change, and lasts longer than in girls. Advanced bone age only means that the sex hormone level has been increased for some time, and it is not a specific indicator for diagnosing CPP. Children with a short course of illness and slow development may not have obviously advanced bone age, and peripheral precocious puberty may also have advanced bone age. Elevated sex hormone levels cannot distinguish between central and peripheral precocious puberty. In summary, the diagnosis of CPP is comprehensive. The core issue is that it must meet the criteria of GnRH dependence. Clinical follow-up of progressive sexual characteristics development is of great significance.