Serum concentrations of FSH, oestradiol, oestrone and androstenedione in normal and obese women.

The normal ranges of the concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol (E2), oestrone (E1), and androstenedione (A) were established in 257 healthy women. The hormone levels of 84 normal post-menopausal women were compared with those from a group of 46 post-menopausal women with severe obesity (36.3 +/- 15.2 kg over the ideal weight). The increase of the FSH concentrations during the peri- and post-menopause occurs about 4 yr earlier in the obese than in the normal women. There is no significant difference, however, between the E2 levels of the normal and obese women. In the obese women, A (P less than 0.001) and E1 (P less than 0.05) levels are significantly lower than in the normal women. A weight reduction in the obese women had no influence on the concentrations of A and E2, whereas E1 levels tended to increase. FSH levels also increased significantly during weight reduction.