Luteinizing Hormone

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Results

A luteinizing hormone test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in a sample of blood or urine.

LH levels depend on a person's age and stage of sexual development, and, in a woman, on the phase of her menstrual cycle. The urine test to determine whether a woman is ovulating detects only the presence (positive result) or absence (negative result) of LH.

Normal

Normal values vary widely among labs and methods used. Ask your doctor for normal values of your luteinizing hormone test.

Luteinizing hormone in blood

Menstruating women:	Follicular phase	1–18 international units per liter (IU/L)
	Midcycle peak	8.7–80 IU/L
	Luteal phase	0.5–18 IU/L
Women past menopause:	All	12–55 IU/L
Men:	All	1–9.0 IU/L
Children:	Before puberty	0–1.0 IU/L
	Male at puberty	0.4–7 IU/L
	Female at puberty	0.4–12 IU/L

 

Luteinizing hormone in urine Most home urine tests to predict ovulation determine only the presence of LH (called qualitative testing) and not the specific level or quantity. Home urine test results are either "positive" (LH is present) or "negative" (LH is not present).

Many conditions can change LH levels. Your doctor will discuss any significant abnormal results with you in relation to your symptoms and medical history.

High values

High luteinizing hormone values in a woman may indicate:

• Ovaries are absent or have been removed.
• Ovaries are not functioning because of menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or damage from chemotherapy.
• Early puberty in young girls.

High luteinizing hormone values in a man may indicate:

• Testicles are absent or have been removed.
• Testicles are not functioning because of surgery or damage from mumps, X-ray exposure, chemotherapy, cancer, or injury.
• Klinefelter syndrome.

Low values

Low luteinizing hormone values in a man or woman may indicate:

• Anorexia nervosa.
• Pituitary gland failure.
• Damage to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
• Stress.
• Low body weight.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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