The Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test measures a hormone that helps control ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. This test may help check fertility, menstrual cycles, or hormone-related symptoms.
Curious whether irregular ovulation, fertility challenges, or hormonal symptoms could be related to the hormone that triggers your body's most important reproductive processes?
Overview
Think of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) as your body's reproductive conductor, orchestrating the most critical moments in your hormonal symphony. Just like a starter pistol at a race, LH fires at precisely the right moment to trigger essential reproductive events - in women, it creates the dramatic surge that releases a mature egg during ovulation (this is exactly what those ovulation predictor kits are detecting), while in men, it signals the testes to produce testosterone, supporting everything from energy and muscle strength to mood and sexual health.
Testing your LH levels gives you a clear window into how well your reproductive system is functioning and whether your hormones are properly balanced. When LH levels are too high or too low, it can signal issues like PCOS, ovarian problems, testosterone deficiencies, or pituitary imbalances - making this test an invaluable tool for understanding fertility challenges, hormonal symptoms, or reproductive health concerns that might be affecting your daily life.
Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer
Symptoms
You may benefit from this test if you experience:
Irregular periods (cycles shorter than 21 or longer than 35 days)
Missed periods (not due to pregnancy)
Difficulty getting pregnant
PCOS affecting fertility
Trying to conceive
Purpose
Essential for women with irregular cycles, fertility issues, or PCOS symptoms. Important for men with testosterone deficiency, fertility problems, or suspected hormonal imbalances. Valuable for investigating ovulation disorders, monitoring fertility treatments, and assessing pituitary function in both genders.
How to prepare
Timing is critical for women. For ovulation detection, daily testing around mid-cycle may be needed. For general assessment, day 3 of cycle is preferred. For LH surge detection, testing should occur when ovulation is expected. No fasting required. Avoid testing during illness or extreme stress as these can temporarily affect results.
Understanding results
Normal ranges vary by gender and cycle phase. Women (follicular): 2-10 IU/L; Women (ovulation surge): 20-80 IU/L; Women (luteal): 1-12 IU/L; Post-menopausal: 10-60 IU/L; Men: 1-10 IU/L. High baseline levels may indicate PCOS, ovarian failure, or testicular dysfunction. Low levels might suggest pituitary or hypothalamic problems.
After the test
Consult with a reproductive health specialist to interpret results in context. Abnormal LH levels may require additional testing including FSH, testosterone, oestradiol, or pituitary imaging. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and may include ovulation induction, hormone therapy, or fertility treatments. Serial testing may be needed for ovulation tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The LH surge is a rapid increase in LH levels (usually 2-3 times baseline) that triggers ovulation. It typically occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, about 24-36 hours before ovulation.
Yes, LH monitoring is crucial for timing fertility treatments including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). It helps determine the optimal timing for procedures.
In PCOS, persistently high LH levels contribute to increased androgen production and irregular ovulation. The typical LH:FSH ratio in PCOS is often greater than 2:1.
LH levels help distinguish between primary testicular failure (high LH due to poor testicular response) and secondary hypogonadism (low LH due to pituitary/hypothalamic problems).
Yes, significant physical or emotional stress can temporarily suppress LH production, potentially affecting ovulation timing and test results. It's best to test when relatively stress-free.
Home LH tests are generally reliable for detecting the LH surge in women with regular cycles, with accuracy rates of 85-95%. However, laboratory testing provides more precise measurements.
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