Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test 2025: Cost, Procedure & What Your Results Mean

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a vital hormone that influences reproductive health in both men and women. In women, LH testing is a key component of fertility evaluations and treatments.

Produced by the pituitary gland, LH is a gonadotropin hormone that regulates the function of sex organs: ovaries in women and testes in men. It plays a crucial role in puberty, menstrual cycles, ovulation, and fertility.

Monitoring LH levels through blood testing can help identify underlying reproductive health concerns.

What Is Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?

LH is secreted by the pituitary gland located at the brain's base. For women, LH works alongside follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to regulate the menstrual cycle. FSH stimulates ovarian follicles to mature and produce estrogen. Rising estrogen levels signal the pituitary to reduce FSH and increase LH production, triggering ovulation—the release of an egg from the ovary. The leftover follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to support pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone declines, and the cycle restarts.

In men, LH targets Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating testosterone production, essential for sperm development.

What Is an LH Blood Test?

An LH blood test quantifies the hormone's level in the bloodstream. In women, LH levels fluctuate based on age, menstrual cycle phase, and pregnancy status. Fertility assessments may require multiple tests to track these variations. LH can also be measured in urine samples.

For men, the test establishes baseline LH levels or evaluates pituitary function after administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Why Is the LH Blood Test Ordered?

Doctors request LH testing to investigate menstrual irregularities, fertility challenges, puberty timing, and hormonal disorders.

• Difficulty conceiving in women
• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
• Suspected menopause onset
• Signs of low testosterone in men, such as decreased libido or muscle mass
• Potential pituitary gland disorders
• Abnormal timing of puberty in children

LH testing is often combined with other hormone tests like testosterone, progesterone, FSH, and estradiol for comprehensive evaluation.

Menstrual Cycle and Menopause

LH levels help diagnose causes of irregular or missing periods. Post-menopause, LH levels typically rise due to decreased ovarian function.

Fertility

LH testing assists in assessing egg supply in women and sperm production in men, both critical for fertility.

Puberty

In children, abnormal LH levels can indicate early or delayed puberty, guiding further investigation.

Pregnancy

Urine LH tests predict ovulation timing, aiding conception planning. Note that this is distinct from the blood test.

How Is the LH Blood Test Performed?

A healthcare professional collects a small blood sample, usually from a vein in the arm, in a quick and minimally painful procedure done in clinics or labs. Multiple samples may be needed for accurate assessment, especially in women tracking menstrual cycles.

Are There Any Risks?

Risks are minimal but may include slight bruising or vein inflammation (phlebitis). Inform your doctor if you have bleeding disorders before the test.

How to Prepare for the LH Test?

Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. You may need to pause certain medications, including hormonal treatments or birth control, and fast for up to eight hours. Inform your doctor about recent radioactive procedures or supplements.

Interpreting LH Test Results

Normal LH levels vary by gender, age, and menstrual cycle phase. Typical reference ranges (IU/L) include:

• Women (follicular phase): 1.9–12.5
• Women (peak cycle): 8.7–76.3
• Women (luteal phase): 0.5–16.9
• Pregnant women: <1.5
• Postmenopausal women: 15.9–54.0
• Women on contraceptives: 0.7–5.6
• Men (20–70 years): 0.7–7.9
• Men over 70: 3.1–34.0

Women

High LH and FSH levels may indicate primary ovarian failure, caused by factors such as genetic conditions (e.g., Turner syndrome), radiation, chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Low levels suggest secondary ovarian failure due to pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction.

Men

Elevated LH could signal primary testicular failure from genetic abnormalities (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome), infections, trauma, or tumors. Low LH may lead to reduced testosterone, causing symptoms like sexual dysfunction and fatigue.

Children

High LH can cause precocious puberty, often linked to central nervous system tumors or injuries. Low or normal LH with delayed puberty might indicate hormonal deficiencies or genetic disorders.

Medications Affecting LH Levels

• Anticonvulsants
• Clomiphene
• Digoxin
• Hormone therapies
• Birth control pills

Conclusion

LH blood testing is a powerful diagnostic tool for assessing reproductive health, puberty development, and hormonal disorders. If your doctor suspects issues with your ovaries, testes, or hormone-regulating glands, this test provides critical insights to guide treatment.

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