Will a Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level of 10 mIU/mL indicate normal fertility in a male?

An FSH of 10 mIU/mL in a Male Does Not Rule Out Fertility

An FSH level of 10 mIU/mL falls within a range where many men maintain normal fertility, and you should not panic—this level alone cannot predict your fertility status. 1, 2

Understanding What Your FSH Level Means

• FSH levels show natural biological variation among healthy fertile men, with some individuals maintaining levels in the 10-12 IU/L range throughout life while maintaining completely normal fertility and testosterone production 2

• While FSH is negatively correlated with sperm production (higher FSH generally suggests decreased spermatogenesis), this correlation is not absolute and cannot definitively predict your fertility 1, 2

• The critical threshold for strong predictive value of subfertility is FSH >12.1 IU/L (95th percentile), and your level of 10 is below this cutoff 3

• FSH thresholds between 2.9 and 9.3 IU/L perform similarly in predicting fertility status with poor predictive value (positive predictive values only 0.49-0.59), meaning FSH in this range cannot reliably distinguish fertile from subfertile men 3

What Actually Matters for Your Fertility

The only way to know your actual fertility status is through a complete semen analysis—FSH alone cannot answer this question 1, 2

• A normal sperm count is defined as sperm concentration >16 million/mL and total sperm number >39 million per ejaculate 1

• Men with FSH levels moderately elevated (like yours at 10) can have completely normal semen parameters 1

• Even men with significantly higher FSH levels than yours can have retrievable sperm—up to 50% of men with non-obstructive azoospermia (complete absence of sperm) and elevated FSH still have retrievable sperm for assisted reproduction 1, 4

Next Steps You Should Take

1. Get a semen analysis - This is the gold standard test that will actually tell you about your fertility 1, 2

2. Complete hormonal evaluation - Measure testosterone and LH alongside your FSH to get the full picture of your reproductive hormone status 1, 2

3. Physical examination - Have your physician assess testicular size and consistency, as normal-sized testes with FSH of 10 suggest better prognosis than small, atrophic testes 1

Important Caveats and Reassurance

• Lifestyle factors can temporarily affect FSH levels - smoking, poor diet, and environmental exposures may cause FSH fluctuations that can improve with lifestyle modification 1, 2

• Men with maturation arrest on testicular biopsy can have normal FSH and testicular volume despite severe spermatogenic dysfunction, demonstrating that FSH doesn't tell the whole story 1, 2

• Critical warning: If you're considering fertility, absolutely avoid testosterone supplementation, as it will suppress sperm production through negative feedback and can cause complete absence of sperm 1, 4

The Bottom Line

Your FSH of 10 is mildly elevated but does not preclude normal fertility. The American Urological Association guidelines indicate that FSH >7.6 IU/L suggests some degree of testicular dysfunction, but this doesn't mean complete absence of sperm or infertility 1, 4. Research shows that only FSH values above 12.1 IU/L have clinically useful predictive value for subfertility 3. Stop worrying about the number and get a semen analysis—that's the only test that will actually answer your fertility question.