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Leutinizing Harmone

Fertility profile Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: Fertility profile

Overview

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that regulates reproduction. In people with ovaries, an LH surge triggers ovulation and supports corpus luteum formation and progesterone production; in people with testes, LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone. The LH blood test measures circulating LH to evaluate menstrual irregularities, infertility, delayed or precocious puberty, hypogonadism, pituitary disorders, and menopause. Indications include irregular or absent periods, difficulty conceiving, low libido, erectile dysfunction, or abnormal pubertal development. LH levels vary by sex, age and— in people who menstruate—by cycle phase (low in follicular, high at mid‑cycle, moderate in luteal), and rise markedly after menopause.

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Test Preparation

Morning sample preferred, no fasting required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Commonly included in fertility/endocrine and pubertal evaluation panels.
Symptoms prompting test: irregular or missed periods, infertility, absent or delayed puberty, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction.
Conditions: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypogonadism, pituitary disease, menopause, primary gonadal failure.
Reasons for abnormal levels: pituitary/hypothalamic dysfunction (low), ovarian/testicular failure or menopause (high), PCOS (relative LH elevation), medications, severe stress, extreme exercise, low body weight.
Biological meaning: low LH → secondary hypogonadism; high LH → primary gonadal failure or menopausal state.
Family history: early/late puberty, premature ovarian insufficiency, known endocrine tumors.

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Understanding Test Results

Values should be interpreted by sex, age and cycle timing.
In people who menstruate, an LH surge above ~20–25 IU/L (often >25 mIU/mL) indicates the midcycle ovulatory peak; persistent mid‑cycle or elevated early values may suggest ovulatory dysfunction or PCOS when combined with an elevated LH:FSH ratio.
Low values (below the lower reference for age/phase, for example <1–2 IU/L in adults) suggest hypothalamic or pituitary causes of secondary hypogonadism (e.g., functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, pituitary insufficiency).
Markedly elevated LH (above the postmenopausal range, often >40–50 IU/L) indicates ovarian failure or menopause; in males, LH above the male reference range suggests primary testicular failure, while low LH indicates secondary hypogonadism.
Medications (contraceptives, GnRH analogues), extreme stress, weight loss, or chronic illness can suppress LH; pituitary tumors or primary gonadal disease commonly raise it.
Results are best interpreted alongside FSH, estradiol or testosterone and clinical findings.

Normal Range

Adult female Follicular phase: 1.9–12.5 IU/L OR mIU/mL Adult female Midcycle (ovulatory peak): 8.7–76.3 IU/L OR mIU/mL Adult female Luteal phase: 0.5–16.9 IU/L OR mIU/mL Postmenopausal female: 15.9–54.0 IU/L OR mIU/mL Adult male: 1.8–8.6 IU/L OR mIU/mL Children (prepubertal): typically <0.3–0.7 IU/L OR mIU/mL (varies by age)

FAQs

Q: What is the function of luteinizing hormone?

A: Luteinizing hormone (LH), produced by the anterior pituitary under GnRH control, regulates reproductive function. In females it triggers ovulation, promotes formation and progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum, and supports follicle maturation along with FSH. In males LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone, essential for sperm production and male secondary sexual characteristics. LH levels vary across the menstrual cycle.

Q: What is the normal LH level for age?

A: Normal LH varies by age and sex (mIU/mL): prepubertal children very low, typically <0.3–1.0; adult males about 1.7–8.6; adult females follicular 1.9–12.5, midcycle (ovulatory) surge 8.7–76.3, luteal 0.5–16.9; postmenopausal women elevated, roughly 14–52. Values differ by lab and assay; discuss abnormal results with your clinician.

Q: What is LH in menstruation?

A: Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a pituitary hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. An LH surge midcycle triggers ovulation the mature follicle releases an egg and promotes corpus luteum formation, which produces progesterone for the luteal phase. LH levels change across the cycle and are measured by ovulation tests to time fertility or evaluate hormonal function.

Q: How to increase luteinizing hormone?

A: To raise luteinizing hormone (LH), optimize lifestyle: restore a healthy weight, get regular sleep, manage stress, exercise moderately (avoid overtraining), limit alcohol and smoking, and ensure adequate vitamin D and zinc. Treat underlying causes (e.g., PCOS, hypogonadism) and discuss medical options—such as ovulation induction or hormone therapy—with an endocrinologist or fertility specialist.

Q: What is a good hormone level for a woman?

A: Typical target levels for adult women (vary by menstrual phase and lab): estradiol ~20–400 pg/mL, progesterone <1 ng/mL (follicular) to 5–20 ng/mL (luteal), FSH ~3–20 mIU/mL, LH ~2–100 mIU/mL (mid-cycle peak), total testosterone ~15–70 ng/dL, TSH ~0.4–4.0 mIU/L, prolactin 2–29 ng/mL. Discuss results with your clinician.

Q: How to control luteinizing hormone?

A: Control of luteinizing hormone (LH) focuses on treating the underlying cause and modulating hormone signals. Medical options include combined oral contraceptives or GnRH analogs/antagonists to suppress LH, metformin for insulin-resistant PCOS, and dopamine agonists for prolactinomas. Lifestyle measures—weight loss, regular exercise, healthy diet, stress reduction and adequate sleep—also help. Evaluate and manage pituitary or ovarian pathology with an endocrinologist.