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Luteinising hormone (LH)

The luteinising hormone test checks the level of luteinising hormone (LH) in the blood. The pituitary gland, a small gland positioned underneath the brain, produces the luteinising hormone. This hormone plays a vital role in sexual function and development.

Its function includes:

Excess or insufficient LH can cause different problems, including menstrual difficulties in women, delayed or early puberty, low sex drive in men and infertility.

LH is also known as interstitial cell-stimulating hormone or lutropin.

What is the LH test for?

LH mostly works with the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to control sexual function, so most doctors order the LH and FSH tests together. The tests have different functions, depending on if you are a child, man or woman.

In women, the FSH and LH tests have the following functions.

The LH and FSH test has the following functions for men

In children, these tests are usually for diagnosing delayed or early puberty.

Why is the LH test necessary?

If you are a woman, you may need this test in the following cases.

You may need this test in the following situations if you are a man

Men and women will need the LH test if symptoms of a pituitary disorder occur. These symptoms include

A child may need the LH test if puberty doesn’t start at the right age, either too late or early.

What happens during an LH test?

The healthcare professional will draw your blood sample from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After inserting the needle, the professional will collect a small amount of blood into a vial or tube. The needle entering inside or out of your hand may cause a slight sting. This procedure takes less than five minutes.

Do I need to prepare for the test?

For women, the healthcare professional may schedule the test at a specific time during the menstrual cycle.

Does the test have any risk?

A blood test has a minimal risk. The blood draw may cause slight pain or bruising where the provider inserted the needle, but the symptoms clear quickly.

What does the result mean?

The result’s meaning often depends on if you are a child, man, or woman.

For women, high LH levels may mean the following.

For women, low LH levels may indicate

For men, elevated LH levels may indicate

For men, low LH levels may indicate pituitary gland or hypothalamus disorder. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that controls vital body functions and the pituitary gland.

In children, elevated LH and FSH hormones may indicate the onset of puberty or puberty has already started. If this occurs before age nine in a girl or age ten in a boy, it may signify

Low LH and FSH levels in children may be a sign of delayed puberty, which often results from

Other facts about the LH test

An at-home test for measuring LH levels with urine is available. The kit helps detect the rise in LH levels before ovulation. It can help determine when you will be ovulating, which has the best chance of getting pregnant, but this test isn’t reliable if you want to prevent pregnancy.

If you want to undergo an LH blood test, visit our clinic at Suite E, 117a Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 6AT. You can also call us on 02071830244 to book an appointment for your LH test or to get more information on our test.