755 lines
48 KiB
HTML
755 lines
48 KiB
HTML
|
||
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" id="lab_test" class="nojs us" data-root="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
|
||
<head>
|
||
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/" />
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-niveles-de-la-hormona-luteinizante-hl/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="description" content="This test measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your blood or urine (pee). LH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" />
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTest_Share2.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share3.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="This test measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your blood or urine (pee). LH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="This test measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your blood or urine (pee). LH affects sexual development in children and fertility in adults. Learn more." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content=""/>
|
||
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<title>Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test</title>
|
||
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?1738957222076" />
|
||
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"> <![endif]-->
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className = document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className.replace( /(?:^|\s)nojs(?!\S)/g , '').trim();</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
|
||
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
|
||
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
|
||
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
|
||
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
|
||
</head>
|
||
|
||
<body>
|
||
|
||
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77"
|
||
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="googletagmanager"></iframe></noscript>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a name="top" id="top"></a>
|
||
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<section
|
||
class="usa-banner"
|
||
aria-label="Official website of the United States government"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="usa-accordion">
|
||
<header class="usa-banner__header">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
|
||
<div class="grid-col-auto">
|
||
<img
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
class="usa-banner__header-flag"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
|
||
An official website of the United States government
|
||
</p>
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<button
|
||
type="button"
|
||
class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button"
|
||
aria-expanded="false"
|
||
aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
|
||
</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<div
|
||
class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content"
|
||
id="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
|
||
organization in the United States.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>lock</strong> (
|
||
<span class="icon-lock"
|
||
><svg
|
||
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
|
||
width="52"
|
||
height="64"
|
||
viewBox="0 0 52 64"
|
||
class="usa-banner__lock-image"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default"
|
||
focusable="false"
|
||
>
|
||
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
|
||
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
|
||
<path
|
||
fill="#000000"
|
||
fill-rule="evenodd"
|
||
d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"
|
||
/>
|
||
</svg> </span
|
||
>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to
|
||
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
|
||
secure websites.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-wrap">
|
||
<header>
|
||
<div id="mplus-header">
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-orgs">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" class="nih-org" target="_blank" title="National Institutes of Health">
|
||
<img class="nihlogo" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" alt="National Institutes of Health"/>
|
||
</a><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank"> National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
<img alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png"/>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav">
|
||
|
||
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
|
||
<button id="sm-menu-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Menu" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" type="submit">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu"></span></button>
|
||
<ul id="mplus-menu-list" class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
</ul><button id="sm-search-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Search" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-search" type="submit"><span class="hide-offscreen"></span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search"></span></button>
|
||
|
||
<div class="top-1">
|
||
|
||
<form id="mplus-search" method="get" action="https://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" title="Search MedlinePlus" target="_self">
|
||
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:project" value="medlineplus"/>
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:sources" value="medlineplus-bundle"/>
|
||
|
||
<div class="form-box text-combo">
|
||
<div class="form-area"><label class="hide-offscreen" for="searchtext_primary">Search MedlinePlus</label>
|
||
<input id="searchtext_primary" class="form-text" type="text" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" alt="#Site Search input" title="Site Search input" maxlength="400" size="40" name="query" autocomplete="off" role="textbox" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="button-area">
|
||
<button class="form-btn" title="Search MedlinePlus" alt="Search MedlinePlus" type="submit">GO</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
|
||
<div class="secondarynav">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-niveles-de-la-hormona-luteinizante-hl/" title="Español">Español</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-content">
|
||
|
||
<div id="breadcrumbs">
|
||
<div itemprop="breadcrumb" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">
|
||
<span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Tests</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
<span>Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test</span>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/</span>
|
||
|
||
<div >
|
||
|
||
<article>
|
||
<div class="page-info">
|
||
<div class="page-title">
|
||
<a name="start" id="start"></a>
|
||
<h1>Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test</h1>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="page-actions"></div>
|
||
<noscript><span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span></noscript>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="main">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is a luteinizing hormone (LH) levels test?</h2>
|
||
<p>This test measures the level of luteinizing <a data-tid="1499" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html">hormone</a> (LH). A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. LH is usually measured in a sample of your blood. But in certain cases, it may be measured in urine (pee).</p>
|
||
<p>LH plays an important role in sexual development in children and fertility in adults:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>In women who menstruate</strong> (have periods), LH helps control the <a data-tid="325" href="https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html">menstrual cycle</a>. It also triggers the release of an egg from the ovary. This is called ovulation. LH levels quickly rise just before ovulation. If you're trying to have a baby, this monthly increase in LH tells you when you're most likely to become pregnant.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>In men</strong>, LH causes the testicles to make the hormone testosterone, which is important for making sperm. Normally, LH levels in men do not change very much.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>In children</strong>, LH levels are normally low in early childhood. They begin to rise slowly in the years before <a data-tid="5569" href="https://medlineplus.gov/puberty.html">puberty</a>, usually between ages six and eight. As puberty begins LH continues to rise along with levels of other hormones. The increase in all of these hormones triggers the physical changes of puberty:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>In girls</strong>, LH helps signal the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is involved in the growth of breasts, body hair, and the start of menstruation.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>In boys</strong>, LH helps signal the testicles to make testosterone. Testosterone is involved in the growth of facial and body hair, changes in a boy's voice, and sperm production.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>LH levels are controlled by a complex system of hormones made in different parts of your body. Abnormal levels of LH may be a sign of a problem with any of these parts. They include your:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong><a data-tid="362" href="https://medlineplus.gov/pituitarydisorders.html">Pituitary gland</a></strong>, a small gland at the base of your brain. It makes LH.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Hypothalamus</strong>, a part of your brain. It makes hormones that tell your pituitary gland how much LH to make.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Reproductive glands</strong>, your ovaries or testicles. The amount of sex hormones they make let your hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when to start and stop making LH.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>Other names: lutropin, interstitial cell stimulating hormone, ICSH</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is it used for?</h2>
|
||
<p>LH testing is used to help diagnose conditions that cause too much or too little LH. The specific way the test is used depends on your sex, age, and symptoms.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>In women</strong>, an LH tests may be used to:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Help find the cause of <a data-tid="5654" href="https://medlineplus.gov/femaleinfertility.html">infertility</a>.</li>
|
||
<li>Find out when ovulation is about to happen if a woman is trying to get pregnant. Usually <a data-pid="31381" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/at-home-medical-tests/">at-home tests</a> are used to track ovulation. These tests measure LH in urine (pee).</li>
|
||
<li>Check for medical conditions that affect the ovaries.</li>
|
||
<li>Find the reason for irregular or stopped menstrual periods in women of childbearing age.</li>
|
||
<li>Help find out if menopause, or perimenopause may have begun:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong><a data-tid="62" href="https://medlineplus.gov/menopause.html">Menopause</a></strong> happens when the ovaries stop making certain hormones, and menstrual periods have stopped for 12 months in a row. This usually happens around age 50.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Perimenopause</strong> is the time leading up to menopause when hormones and periods begin to change. It usually starts around age 45.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>In men</strong>, an LH test may be used to:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Help find the cause of:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5656" href="https://medlineplus.gov/maleinfertility.html">Infertility</a></li>
|
||
<li>A low sperm count</li>
|
||
<li>Low testosterone levels</li>
|
||
<li>A low sex drive</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>Check for medical <a data-tid="4280" href="https://medlineplus.gov/testiculardisorders.html">conditions that affect the testicles</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>In women and men</strong>, LH testing may be used to help diagnose disorders of the:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Pituitary gland</li>
|
||
<li>Hypothalamus</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>In children and teens</strong>, LH testing is most often used to help find out if a medical disorder is causing early or delayed (late) puberty.</p>
|
||
<p>An LH test is usually used with a blood test to check the levels of another hormone called <a data-pid="6240" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/">follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)</a>. These two hormones work closely together to control sexual development and reproduction. Blood tests to check <a data-pid="881" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/estrogen-levels-test/">estrogen</a>, <a data-pid="782" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/">testosterone</a>, and <a data-pid="844" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/progesterone-test/">progesterone</a> levels are also commonly used with LH testing.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need an LH test?</h2>
|
||
<p><strong>For women:</strong>
|
||
<br/>You may need this test if:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>You've been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying.</li>
|
||
<li>Your menstrual periods aren't regular or have stopped.
|
||
|
||
<br/>If you're age 45 or older, testing usually isn't needed. That's because high levels of LH and/or FSH are usually a sign of normal perimenopause and menopause. As your ovaries release fewer eggs, your body makes more hormones to try to trigger ovulation. But you may need an LH test along with other hormone tests if there is a medical reason, such as:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Premature menopause (age 40 or younger)</li>
|
||
<li>Early menopause (before age 45)</li>
|
||
<li>Having symptoms that may be related to menopause, but the cause isn't clear</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>For men:</strong>
|
||
<br/>You may need this test if:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>You've been unable to get your partner pregnant after 12 months of trying.</li>
|
||
<li>You have less interest in sex than usual.</li>
|
||
<li>You have a low sperm count.</li>
|
||
<li>You have a loss of muscle and/or body hair.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>For men and women:</strong>
|
||
<br/>You may need an LH test if your health care provider thinks you could have a pituitary disorder. Pituitary problems can affect fertility and decrease your interest in sex. They may also cause symptoms, such as:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html">Fatigue</a></li>
|
||
<li>Weakness</li>
|
||
<li>Decreased appetite and/or weight loss</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>For children and teens:</strong>
|
||
<br/>LH testing may be needed if puberty seems to be starting too early or too late:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>Early puberty</strong> means showing signs of sexual development before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Delayed puberty</strong> means not showing signs of sexual development by age 13 in girls and age 14 in boys.</li>
|
||
</ul></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during an LH levels test?</h2>
|
||
<p>A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.</p>
|
||
<p>If you're using at-home urine testing to track ovulation, follow the instructions that come with your LH testing kit.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>You may need to stop taking certain medicines or supplements before your test. Tell your provider everything you take. But don't stop taking any prescription medicines unless your provider tells you to.</p>
|
||
<p>If you have menstrual periods, you may need to have your test at a specific time during your menstrual cycle.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p>
|
||
<p>There is no risk to a urine test.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
|
||
<p>To understand the results of your LH test, your provider will consider your sex, age, symptoms, medical history, and the results of other hormone tests, especially your level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Your provider can explain what the results of your LH test mean.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>Higher LH in adults:</strong></p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>In women who have menstrual periods</strong>, LH levels change through the month. An increase in LH a couple of weeks after your period usually means you're ovulating normally. But high LH levels through the month may mean your ovaries aren't working properly. If you are:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>Childbearing age</strong>, higher than normal LH levels may mean you may have a disorder that affects your ovaries work, such as:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Ovaries that never developed normally</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="3684" href="https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html">Primary ovarian insufficiency</a> (POI)</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5912" href="https://medlineplus.gov/polycysticovarysyndrome.html">Polycystic ovary syndrome</a> (PCOS)</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="439" href="https://medlineplus.gov/thyroiddiseases.html">Thyroid diseases</a> or <a data-tid="128" href="https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html">adrenal gland disorders</a></li>
|
||
<li>A <a data-pid="20111" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/chromosome/">chromosomal</a> disorder, such as <a data-tid="1504" href="https://medlineplus.gov/turnersyndrome.html">Turner syndrome</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>45 or older</strong>, high LH levels may mean you are approaching menopause.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>In men</strong>, high levels of LH may be caused by:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>A germ cell tumor (a tumor that starts in the cells that become sperm)</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="334" href="https://medlineplus.gov/mumps.html">Mumps</a></li>
|
||
<li>A physical injury to the testicles</li>
|
||
<li>Testicles that never developed normally</li>
|
||
<li>A chromosomal disorder, such as <a data-tid="1524" href="https://medlineplus.gov/klinefeltersyndrome.html">Klinefelter syndrome</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>In women and men</strong>, high LH levels may be a sign of damage to the ovaries or testicles from:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html">Autoimmune disease</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="2724" href="https://medlineplus.gov/radiationtherapy.html">Radiation therapy</a> and/or <a data-tid="464" href="https://medlineplus.gov/cancerchemotherapy.html">chemotherapy</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>Lower-than-normal levels of LH in adults</strong> are often a sign of a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. These problems may make it hard for your body to make enough LH and FSH.</p>
|
||
<p>In women, low LH and FSH levels with missed periods may also be linked to extreme exercise, <a data-tid="5461" href="https://medlineplus.gov/malnutrition.html">malnutrition</a>, <a data-tid="422" href="https://medlineplus.gov/stress.html">stress</a>, or being very <a data-tid="5610" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bodyweight.html">underweight</a>.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>Generally, in children with signs of early sexual development</strong> (before age 8 in girls or age 9 in boys):</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>High levels of LH and FSH</strong> mean the child has early puberty, also called precocious puberty. In most cases, the cause is unknown. But in certain cases, the cause is a problem in the brain, such as:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>A <a data-tid="173" href="https://medlineplus.gov/braintumors.html">brain tumor</a></li>
|
||
<li>A past <a data-tid="271" href="https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.html">brain injury</a></li>
|
||
<li>A past brain infection, such as <a data-tid="324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/meningitis.html">meningitis</a> or <a data-tid="241" href="https://medlineplus.gov/encephalitis.html">encephalitis</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Normal levels of LH and FSH</strong> mean the child has a type of early puberty called peripheral precocious puberty. This often means that a disorder in the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal glands is causing higher than normal levels of estrogen or testosterone. Exposure to medicines that contain sex hormones may also cause this type of early puberty.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>Generally, in teens with no signs of sexual development</strong> by age 13 for girls or age 14 for boys, levels of LH and FSH may be <strong>low, normal, or high</strong> depending on the cause of delayed puberty. Many teens with delayed puberty are healthy and go through normal puberty at a later age. But delayed puberty may be caused by certain medical conditions, such as:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Poor <a data-tid="36" href="https://medlineplus.gov/nutrition.html">nutrition</a> from a long-term illness or <a data-tid="237" href="https://medlineplus.gov/eatingdisorders.html">eating disorder</a></li>
|
||
<li>Hypogonadism, which is when the ovaries or testicles make little or no hormone. It may be caused by:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Certain <a data-tid="33" href="https://medlineplus.gov/geneticdisorders.html">genetic disorders</a>, including <a data-pid="14951" href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/kallmann-syndrome/">Kallmann syndrome</a></li>
|
||
<li>Tumors in the brain or pituitary gland</li>
|
||
<li>Turner syndrome in girls</li>
|
||
<li>Klinefelter syndrome in boys</li>
|
||
<li>Certain autoimmune disorders</li>
|
||
<li>Radiation therapy or chemotherapy</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>If you have questions about test results, talk with your or your child's provider.</p>
|
||
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
|
||
<ol>
|
||
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2023. Body Systems & Organs: Luteinizing Hormone; [reviewed 2022 Jan 8; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 10 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22255-luteinizing-hormone" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22255-luteinizing-hormone</a></li>
|
||
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2023. Diseases & Conditions: Premature and Early Menopause; [reviewed 2022 Sep 6; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause#diagnosis-and-tests" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause#diagnosis-and-tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><em>Eunice Kennedy Shriver</em> National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Menopause?; [reviewed 2021 Nov 16; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause/conditioninfo/diagnosed" target="bibliowin">https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause/conditioninfo/diagnosed</a></li>
|
||
<li><em>Eunice Kennedy Shriver</em> National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Menopause; [reviewed 2021 Nov 16; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 5screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause" target="bibliowin">https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause</a></li>
|
||
<li><em>Eunice Kennedy Shriver</em> National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Puberty and Precocious Puberty; [reviewed 2021 Jun 21; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 12 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty" target="bibliowin">https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/puberty</a></li>
|
||
<li>FDA: US Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Ovulation (Urine Test); [updated 2018 Feb 4; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/ovulation-urine-test" target="bibliowin">https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/home-use-tests/ovulation-urine-test</a></li>
|
||
<li>Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995-2023. Test ID: LH: Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Serum; [cited 2023 May 22]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/602752" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/602752</a></li>
|
||
<li>National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: germ cell tumor; [cited 2023 May 22]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/germ-cell-tumor" target="bibliowin">https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/germ-cell-tumor</a></li>
|
||
<li>Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2023. Blood Test: Luteinizing Hormone (LH); [cited 2023 May 22]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-lh.html?ref=search" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-test-lh.html?ref=search</a></li>
|
||
<li>Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2019. Precocious Puberty; [reviewed 2019 Sep; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/precocious.html" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/precocious.html</a></li>
|
||
<li>Office on Women's Health [Internet]. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Menopause Basics; [updated 2023 Jan 6; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics#4" target="bibliowin">https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics#4</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Pregnancy and Fertility Testing; [modified 2022 Oct 4; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/fertility-testing/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/fertility-testing/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test; [modified 2022 Dec 21; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 13 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Menopause; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/menopause-testing/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/menopause-testing/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Turner Syndrome; [cited 2023 May 22]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/glossary/#turner-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/glossary/#turner-syndrome</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Klinefelter syndrome; [updated 2020 Oct 27; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/klinefelter-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/klinefelter-syndrome</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test: Overview; [updated 2019 Jun 30; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/luteinizing-hormone-lh-blood-test" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/luteinizing-hormone-lh-blood-test</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Turner syndrome; [updated 2019 Oct 3; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/turner-syndrome" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/turner-syndrome</a></li>
|
||
<li>University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2023. Health Encyclopedia: Luteinizing Hormone (Blood); [cited 2023 May 22]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=luteinizing_hormone_blood" target="bibliowin">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=luteinizing_hormone_blood</a></li>
|
||
<li>UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2023. Health Information: Luteinizing Hormone; [updated 2022 Sep 8; cited 2023 May 22]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw8017" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw8017</a></li>
|
||
</ol></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="side">
|
||
<aside>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Health Topics</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/femaleinfertility.html">Female Infertility</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hormones.html">Hormones</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/maleinfertility.html">Male Infertility</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/menopause.html">Menopause</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html">Menstruation</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ovariandisorders.html">Ovarian Disorders</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/pituitarydisorders.html">Pituitary Disorders</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/puberty.html">Puberty</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/testiculardisorders.html">Testicular Disorders</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Medical Tests</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/at-home-medical-tests/">At-Home Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/estrogen-levels-test/">Estrogen Levels Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/follicle-stimulating-hormone-fsh-levels-test/">Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-cope-with-medical-test-anxiety/">How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">How to Understand Your Lab Results</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/progesterone-test/">Progesterone Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prolactin-levels/">Prolactin Levels</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test/">SHBG Blood Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/">Testosterone Levels Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/what-you-need-to-know-about-blood-testing/">What You Need to Know About Blood Testing</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
</aside>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="bottom">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="lt-disclaimer">
|
||
<p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="citation-how-to">
|
||
<button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<footer>
|
||
<div id="mplus-footer">
|
||
<div class="footer1">
|
||
|
||
<ul class="secondarynav">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<ul class="follow-footer">
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram">
|
||
</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="footer2">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href=" https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target='_blank'>NLM Web Policies</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<div class="address">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
|
||
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="date">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span id="lastupdate">Last updated December 5, 2023</span>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls-new.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 9]><script src="//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script><![endif]-->
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type='application/ld+json'>{
|
||
"@context": "http://schema.org",
|
||
"@type": "MedicalWebPage",
|
||
"headline": "Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test",
|
||
"description": "This test measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH). A hormone is a chemical messenger in your bloodstream that controls the actions of certain cells or organs. LH is usually measured in a sample of your blood. But in certain cases, it may be measured in urine (pee). LH plays an important role in sexual development in children and fertility in adults: In women who menstruate (have periods), LH helps control the menstrual cycle. It also triggers the release of an egg from the ovary. This is called ovulation. LH levels quickly rise just before ovulation. If you're trying to have a baby, this monthly increase in LH tells you when you're most likely to become pregnant.; In men, LH causes the testicles to make the hormone testosterone, which is important for making sperm. Normally, LH levels in men do not change very much.; In children, LH levels are normally low in early childhood. They begin to rise slowly in the years before puberty, usually between ages six and eight. As puberty begins LH continues to rise along with levels of other hormones. The increase in all of these hormones triggers the physical changes of puberty: In girls, LH helps signal the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is involved in the growth of breasts, body hair, and the start of menstruation.; In boys, LH helps signal the testicles to make testosterone. Testosterone is involved in the growth of facial and body hair, changes in a boy's voice, and sperm production.; ; LH levels are controlled by a complex system of hormones made in different parts of your body. Abnormal levels of LH may be a sign of a problem with any of these parts. They include your: Pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of your brain. It makes LH.; Hypothalamus, a part of your brain. It makes hormones that tell your pituitary gland how much LH to make.; Reproductive glands, your ovaries or testicles. The amount of sex hormones they make let your hypothalamus and pituitary gland know when to start and stop making LH.; Other names: lutropin, interstitial cell stimulating hormone, ICSH",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/luteinizing-hormone-lh-levels-test/",
|
||
"publisher": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Library of Medicine",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nlm.nih.gov",
|
||
"brand": {
|
||
"@type": "Brand",
|
||
"name": "MedlinePlus",
|
||
"description": "MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov",
|
||
"logo": {
|
||
"@type": "ImageObject",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_primary.png"
|
||
}
|
||
},
|
||
"parentOrganization": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Institutes of Health",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nih.gov"
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
}</script>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|