What Is Luteinizing Hormone (LH Test)
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. In females, LH plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle and in the production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle and fertility. In males, LH helps regulate the production of testosterone, a hormone that plays a role in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and fertility.
An LH test is a blood test that measures the luteinizing hormone levels in the blood. The test helps diagnose and treat conditions that affect the menstrual cycle, fertility, and hormone production in both males and females. Medical experts also use it to help diagnose conditions that affect the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate the production of hormones.
About Luteinizing Hormone Test
Has your doctor prescribed you to get the LH test? Here’s all you need to know about the LH blood test and how you can prepare yourself for the same.
Why Do I Need LH Test?
An LH blood test is prescribed for both men and women. Your healthcare provider will advise taking the LH test for the following reasons:
You need to check your LH levels as a woman if you’re experiencing the following:
- Issues in getting pregnant even after trying for a year
- Irregularities in your menstrual cycle
- You haven’t had your periods in months
As a man, you must get your LH levels checked if:
- You face issues in getting your partner pregnant even after constantly trying
- You have a higher sex drive than normal
For men and women, the following symptoms commonly indicate needing an LH test done at the earliest:
- Tiredness
- Weakness in the body accompanied by dizziness.
- Drastic weight loss
- Lost sense of appetite
How To Prepare For LH Blood Testing?
There is no special preparation required for the Luteinizing hormone test. It is a simple blood test that requires drawing a blood sample from the vein in your arm. Before the test, be wary of the following factors:
- Do not fast unless prescribed by your healthcare professional.
- Drink adequate water before arriving at the diagnostic center
- Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking.
- If you have medications, consult your healthcare provider to know if you can take those before the LH blood test.
What Happens During LH Testing?
Are you visiting your nearest diagnostic center to get an LH blood test? If yes, your healthcare professional will take the following steps to draw the blood sample:
- Your healthcare provider will wrap a thin pipe around your arm and cleanse the target area with rubbing alcohol.
- The expert will check for the vein in your arm and ask you to clench your fists tightly.
- Your healthcare provider will draw a blood sample from your vein using a syringe and collect it in a vial/test tube, removing the injection from your skin.
- They will seal the target area with a bandage to avoid bleeding and send your blood sample to the laboratory for testing.
Finding Luteinizing Hormone Test
Should you call for an LH blood test at home or get it done at your nearest clinic? Read more to find out what suits your comfort.
Can I Take LH Test At Home?
Yes, you can. You can contact your nearest diagnostic center to call a healthcare professional and get the LH blood test done from the comfort of your home.
How Much Does LH Test Cost?
The LH test price depends on the diagnostic center you choose to get it done. In most cases, if you have insurance coverage, it covers the expense of the test, else you can always purchase a new plan at affordable rates.
Test Results Interpretation
Are you trying to understand the meaning of your luteinizing hormone test results? Read this section to know how you can gauge normal, high, or low LH levels.
What Do LH Test Results Mean?
Got your LH blood test results? You can check out the specified levels to understand your results’ range.
If you are a woman, your LH test results will fall under the below-mentioned range:
Normal LH levels | 5-25 IU/L |
High LH levels | >25 IU/L |
Low LH levels | <5 IU/L |
If you are a man, your LH levels should be under the below-mentioned range:
Normal LH levels | 1.8-8.6 IU/L |
High LH levels | >8.6 IU/L |
Low LH levels | <1.8 IU/L |
What Are Normal LH Levels?
The normal LH levels differ for women and men. For menstruating women, normal levels range between 5-23 IU/L; for men, it varies between 1.8-8.6 IU/L.
What Medical Conditions Can Cause High LH Levels?
Are your LH levels higher than usual? If you are a woman, this can be indicative of the following medical conditions:
- An issue in your ovaries if you are of childbearing age. If your childbearing days are over, this can indicate perimenopause or menopause.
- PCOD Problem In women
- Tumor syndrome can disrupt the genetic makeup of women.
If you are a man, high LH levels can be caused by the following:
- Testicular damage due to external stressors, chemotherapy, infection, or excessive use of alcohol
What Medical Conditions Can Cause Low LH Levels?
If you are a woman who has a lower-than-normal LH level, it can be an indicator of the following conditions:
- Issues in your pituitary gland
- An eating disorder caused by abnormalities in your hormones
- Malnutrition in the body
If you are a man, lower LH levels can be caused by
- Hypothalamus or issues in the pituitary gland releasing lesser hormones
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FAQs Around Luteinising Hormone Test (LH Test)
What is a good LH level for ovulation?
A good LH level for ovulation ranges between 5-25 IU/L.
What happens if LH is low in females?
If LH levels are low in females, they can lead to abnormalities in the pituitary gland, eating disorders, and Malnutrition in the body.
What is a good LH level to get pregnant?
If you want to get pregnant, your LH levels should be between 5-25 IU/L.
What are normal LH levels by age?
For women between 18-70, the ideal LH level should be between 5-25 IU/L and 15.9-54 IU/L after menopause. For women, the ideal LH level should be between 1.8-8.6 IU/L for ages 18-70 and 31-34 IU/L beyond 70 years of age.
What is considered a high LH level?
In women, a high LH level goes above 25 IU/L and above 8.6 IU/L in men.
Does high LH mean infertility?
High LH levels can be indicative of infertility in both men and women.
