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Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test: What It Is and Why It’s Important
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by both men and women
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It affects the ovaries in women and
the testes in men
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The level of LH in your blood might suggest underlying concerns with a range of reproductive health
conditions
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The pituitary gland, which is about the size
of a pea, is positioned near the base of the brain
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It operates in conjunction with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), another gonadotropin
produced by the pituitary gland
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It also
stimulates the follicle's synthesis of estrogen
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The egg is released from the ovary as a result of the shift to LH, a process known as ovulation
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This structure produces
progesterone, a hormone required for pregnancy maintenance
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If you're a guy, your pituitary gland generates LH as well
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This causes the release of testosterone, a hormone required for
the production of sperm cells
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The quantity of this hormone in your
system fluctuates with age and throughout the menstrual cycle if you're a woman
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If a doctor prescribes an LH test for reproductive purposes, a woman may
require numerous tests to follow the growing and declining hormone levels
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If you are a guy, your doctor may request an LH test to determine your baseline LH level
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Measuring LH after getting this hormone can inform your doctor whether you have an issue with your
pituitary gland or another region of your body
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LH levels are linked to menstruation
problems, fertility, and the start of puberty
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Menstrual Cycle and Menopause
If you have irregular or absent periods, your doctor may want to measure the quantity of LH in your
circulation to rule out any underlying causes
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Fertility
If you're having trouble conceiving, your doctor may recommend an LH blood test
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Puberty
A doctor may conduct an LH blood test for a younger person to determine the underlying reasons for
delayed or early puberty
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Breast growth and menstruation in females, testicular and penis growth in boys, and pubic
hair growth in both boys and girls are examples of these
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When LH levels begin to rise,
ovulation may occur within one to two days
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It's vital to note that this is done using a urine test
rather than a blood test
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The quick process will take place in your doctor's office or a lab
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A health practitioner will wrap your upper arm in an elastic band to make your veins easier to view
when drawing blood
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A little sample of your blood will be collected using a tube linked to the needle
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Your doctor may request that you get blood samples obtained every day for several days
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What Are the Risks Associated With a Luteinizing Hormone Blood Test
There aren't many hazards to getting your blood taken
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While phlebitis is uncommon, it can develop when blood is extracted
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If this happens, your doctor will probably have you apply a warm
compress to the vein throughout the day
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How Should I Prepare for a Luteinizing Hormone Blood Test
Your doctor should give you specific instructions on how to prepare for your blood test
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If you are a woman, you may need to discontinue using birth control or other hormone tablets for up
to four weeks before the test
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As with other blood draws, you may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking for up to eight hours
before the test
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These chemicals have the potential to skew the findings of your test
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The following are normal LH blood levels measured in international
units per liter (IU/L) by the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of
California, San Francisco:
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women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (1
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5 IU/L)
women at the peak of the menstrual cycle (8
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3 IU/L)
women in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (0
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9 IU/L)
pregnant women (less than 1
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9 to 54
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7 to 5
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7 to 7
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1 to 34
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For Women
Increased levels of LH and FSH in women might suggest an issue with the ovaries
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Primary ovarian failure can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

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ovaries that are not properly developed
genetic abnormalities, such as Turner syndrome
exposure to radiation
history of taking chemotherapy drugs
autoimmune disorders
ovarian tumor
thyroid or adrenal disease
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Low LH and FSH levels might suggest subsequent ovarian failure
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This is often the consequence of issues with the parts of your
brain that produce hormones, such as the pituitary gland
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This condition can be caused by a variety
of factors, including:
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chromosome abnormalities (such as Klinefelter syndrome)
gonad development failure
a history of viral infections (such as the mumps)
trauma
radiation exposure
history of taking chemotherapy medications
autoimmune disorders
tumors (such as a germ cell tumor)

Secondary testicular failure can also be caused by a brain condition, such as a hypothalamic problem
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Low LH levels in adult males can lead to low testosterone levels, which can cause symptoms such as:
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sexual dysfunction
lack of sexual interest
fatigue

For Children
High amounts of LH in children can trigger early puberty
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According to the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC), females are more prone than boys
to suffer from this illness

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