A luteinizing hormone (LH) test measures how much luteinizing hormone a person has in their blood. This is a hormone with key roles in both male and female reproductive systems. Read More
The LH blood test is crucial for diagnosing various medical conditions. It helps identify causes of infertility and fertility issues, as well as pinpointing the timing of ovulation by detecting the surge in LH levels preceding ovulation, aiding women in optimizing fertility timing. Additionally, the test assists in understanding irregular menstrual cycles in women and plays a role in diagnosing early or delayed puberty when combined with follicle-stimulating hormone analysis. Moreover, it is instrumental in diagnosing disorders of the pituitary gland and investigating reasons for low testosterone levels in both men and women.
In females producing too much or too little LH can cause anovulation (not ovulating) to occur. If you don’t ovulate regularly, it will be harder and take longer for you to become pregnant without medical help. High LH is associated with certain health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder). Both conditions can compromise fertility and your ability to get pregnant. Low LH may indicate a problem with the pituitary gland, such as a pituitary tumor. It can also be caused by poor nutritional intake. If you have an eating disorder such as anorexia, low LH may result. Extreme athletes may also have low LH levels
Too high or too low LH in people with testes can reduce sperm cell production, making it harder to impregnate a partner. High LH can be caused by Klinefelter's syndrome , a genetic disorder that compromises fertility potential. High LH can also be caused by damage to the testicles by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Infections can also have this effect. Low LH may indicate problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Low LH reduces testosterone production. This, in turn, can diminish sexual desire.
FSH works in conjunction with LH to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation in women, and aids in sperm production in males. Measuring FSH levels alongside LH can evaluate pituitary gland function and determine causes of infertility. Testosterone is primarily produced in the testes in males and in the ovaries and adrenal glands in females. Analyzing testosterone levels can impact the assessment of overall hormone production in both sexes and fertility issues. Prolactin affects fertility and milk production in women. Analyzing prolactin levels may be necessary to evaluate menstrual disorders and causes of infertility. Estrogen, considered the hormone of femininity, is crucial in regulating menstrual cycles and ovulation in women. It can be analyzed to assess egg health and overall hormone balance, aiding in diagnosing menstrual disorders and infertility causes.
The result will take several hours.