Insight into your LHlevel.
LH is a hormone from the pituitary gland that drives the sex glands. In men LH stimulates testosterone production, in women LH peaks around ovulation. With personal explanation from our doctors.
Also known as: luteinising hormone, luteinizing hormone
Interpreted by BIG-registered doctors
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Background
What is LH?
LH stands for luteinising hormone. It is produced in the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, and from there it drives the sex glands. In men, LH prompts the cells in the testes to produce testosterone. In women, LH plays a key role in the cycle, with a clear LH surge around mid-cycle that triggers ovulation.
Because LH varies strongly with the cycle in women, the timing of the blood draw largely determines the value. Please tell us at intake where you are in your cycle, or that you no longer have a cycle. LH is almost always assessed together with FSH. The relationship between the two, combined with testosterone or oestradiol, shows our doctor whether any abnormality fits better with the sex glands or with the pituitary gland.
In brief
From the pituitary
Drives the testes and ovaries
Ovulation
In women LH peaks around ovulation
Cycle-dependent
The point in the cycle sets the value
Always with FSH
Together they give the full picture
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your LH be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring LH can provide insight.
With a low testosterone level
LH and FSH show whether a low testosterone level fits better with the testes or with the signalling from the pituitary gland.
With questions about the cycle
With an irregular or absent cycle, LH is measured together with FSH. The point in the cycle determines how the result should be read.
With questions about fertility
LH is one of the hormones reviewed for fertility questions, alongside FSH, oestradiol, and prolactin.
With questions about the menopause
During the menopause, the signalling from the pituitary gland changes. LH and FSH together give insight into this.
During or after hormone use
Anabolic steroids and testosterone replacement therapy suppress LH production. A measurement gives insight into your own signalling.
For follow-up of a previous measurement
Those who previously had an abnormal value can repeat the test to track it over time. Please state the point in your cycle again.
What your result means
How do we read your LH level?
LH is measured in international units per litre (IU/L, also written as U/L). The laboratory provides the reference ranges. In women these depend on the phase of the cycle and on the menopause, so please tell us where you are in your cycle. LH is almost always assessed together with FSH. A single measurement is not a diagnosis, our doctor places the result in your context.
A low value
A low LH value means the pituitary gland provides little signalling to the sex glands. Combined with a low testosterone or a low oestradiol, this can point to a problem in the signalling from the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. Backgrounds include the use of anabolic steroids or testosterone therapy, prolonged stress, marked weight loss, very intensive training, and a raised prolactin. Our doctor provides context and can indicate which follow-up investigation is appropriate.
A normal value
An LH value within the laboratory reference range, appropriate for your sex and point in the cycle, indicates that the signalling from the pituitary gland is not clearly disturbed. If symptoms persist, our doctor also considers the wider picture, such as FSH, testosterone or oestradiol, thyroid function, and prolactin.
An elevated value
An elevated LH value means the pituitary gland is signalling harder. Together with a low testosterone or a low oestradiol, this fits with reduced function of the sex glands, with the pituitary gland compensating. In women, LH and FSH rise around the menopause. A temporarily high LH is also normal around ovulation, which is exactly why the point in the cycle matters so much for interpretation.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors assess your LH value against the laboratory reference ranges and your personal context, such as sex, age, point in the cycle, and medication use. You receive a report in plain language, as a starting point for your own insight or a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Related tests
Often combined with LH.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine LH with a theme package or related markers.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Do I need to fast for an LH test?
No, you do not need to fast for an LH measurement. If you measure LH together with testosterone, we do recommend having your blood drawn in the morning, as testosterone follows a daily rhythm.
When in my cycle should I have LH measured?
That depends on your question. For a picture of the baseline signalling, blood is often drawn early in the cycle, in the first days after your period starts. If you want to capture ovulation, mid-cycle is more relevant. Always tell us at intake which cycle day you are on, without that information the result cannot be assessed properly.
What is the difference between LH and FSH?
Both come from the pituitary gland and drive the sex glands. LH triggers testosterone production in men and ovulation in women. FSH drives the maturation of the follicles in women and plays a role in sperm production in men. The two are almost always assessed together.
Is this LH test the same as an ovulation test?
No. An ovulation test measures LH in urine and is designed to estimate the fertile window at home. This test measures LH in the blood and is assessed by our doctor together with FSH and your other values.
Which factors influence my LH value?
In women mainly the point in the cycle and the menopause. Beyond that, contraception and other hormone therapy, the use of anabolic steroids, a raised prolactin, marked weight loss, very intensive training, and prolonged stress all play a role.
Why is LH measured with a low testosterone level?
LH and FSH show where a low testosterone level originates. If LH and FSH are raised, that points towards the testes themselves. If they are low or not raised, that points towards the signalling from the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.
How often should I measure LH?
A single measurement is usually sufficient for insight. With an abnormal value, re-testing is common, for women preferably at a comparable point in the cycle.
What do I do with my result?
You will receive a PDF report with your value and an explanation from our doctor. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP or gynaecologist, remains entirely your choice.
Ready for insight into your LH level?
For €69 you receive your LH level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within a few working days. No referral required.
Order LH for €69 →Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine LH with other markers via Bloodworks Select. Blood draw costs are waived from €225.
69,-
All-in, blood draw included