What hormone pattern is typical in POI?

• A. High FSH and low estradiol
• B. Low FSH and high estradiol
• C. Normal FSH and estradiol
• D. High LH and high estradiol

Answer: (A)

In POI, the ovaries fail to respond and estrogen production falls. The pituitary detects this loss of estrogen’s negative feedback and raises FSH to stimulate the ovaries. Because the ovaries can’t respond, estradiol remains low despite the high FSH. This high FSH with low estradiol pattern is the hallmark of POI, reflecting a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism state. LH is often elevated too, but the key diagnostic cue is the markedly increased FSH together with low estradiol. Patterns such as low FSH with high estradiol or normal levels would indicate ongoing ovarian function or different conditions, not POI.