Which hormones are commonly tested in infertility workup?

• A. FSH, LH, Progesterone, Estradiol
• B. FSH, LH, Prolactin, TSH
• C. Estrone, Androstenedione, Testosterone, DHEA
• D. hCG, Progesterone, Estrogen, LH

Answer: (A)

Testing these four hormones together gives a clear view of ovulation and ovarian reserve, which are central in infertility workups. FSH on day 3 reflects the pituitary’s drive and how the ovaries are likely to respond; higher levels suggest diminished ovarian reserve because the pituitary increases FSH to stimulate weak follicles. LH works with FSH in follicle development and triggers ovulation, so measuring it helps assess whether the normal ovulatory process is intact. Estradiol on day 3 provides information about early follicular activity and helps interpret FSH levels, since high estradiol can suppress FSH and mask true ovarian reserve. Progesterone measured in the mid-luteal phase confirms that ovulation has occurred and that the corpus luteum is producing progesterone, which is essential for maintaining an early pregnancy.

The other choices introduce hormones that are either not part of the routine baseline assessment for ovulation and ovarian function (like hCG, which is used for pregnancy testing or ovulation induction) or focus on different issues such as thyroid status, prolactin-related fertility problems, or androgen excess, which are more disease-specific rather than the standard initial evaluation of infertility.