Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

This is a single-marker test measuring luteinizing hormone (LH). This test can be ordered as part of a custom panel.

Ordering the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test From Access Medical Laboratories

A luteinizing hormone (LH) test measures the level of this hormone in the blood. LH is made by the pituitary gland, a small gland located underneath the brain.

LH plays a crucial role in sexual development.

Women

In women, LH helps control the menstrual cycle. It also induces the release of an oocyte from the ovary, a process known as ovulation. LH levels quickly increase just before ovulation.

Men

In men, LH induces the testicles to produce testosterone, an important hormone for producing sperm. LH levels in men mostly stay the same.

Children

LH levels are usually low in early childhood and begin to increase some years before puberty.

Too much or too little LH can cause several health problems, such as early or delayed puberty in children, menstrual issues in women, infertility, and low sex drive in men.

Which Patients is the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test From Access Medical Laboratories Best Used For?

The test is usually requested by the physician in combination with the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test to monitor sexual functions closely.

It is also mainly used to evaluate the normalcy of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Both tests can be used to determine the cause of infertility in women, determine when ovulation occurs, determine the reason for stopped or irregular menstrual periods, and confirm the onset of menopause or perimenopause. 

In men, these tests are usually used to determine the cause of infertility and to find the reason for a low sperm count and low sex drive.

Both women and men may need testing if they have symptoms of a pituitary disorder, such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and decreased appetite.