A luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test determines the amount of LH in your blood. LH is important in the reproductive system, particularly in regulating the menstrual cycle in women and boosting testosterone production in males.
Is it for me?
The test is widely used to determine the following:
Assessing Reproductive Health: The LH blood test is often used to examine the health and function of both men and women’s reproductive systems. Healthcare practitioners can learn about hormonal balance, ovulation, and testosterone production by testing LH levels.
Ovulation Prediction: LH levels in women rise soon before ovulation. This surge causes the ovary to release a mature egg. Monitoring LH levels can assist estimate ovulation timing, which is beneficial for couples attempting to conceive.
Ovulation Disorders Diagnosis: Infertility can be caused by irregular or missing ovulation. An LH blood test can aid in the diagnosis of disorders such as anovulation (lack of ovulation) and provide insight into possible causes.
Monitoring Hormone Therapy: In cases of infertility or hormonal abnormalities, LH testing is frequently used to monitor hormone therapy. Women receiving assisted reproductive technologies, for example, may have their LH levels checked to optimise treatment scheduling.
Hypogonadism Diagnosis: Low LH levels can indicate hypogonadism, a disorder in which the gonads (ovaries in women, testes in males) do not produce enough sex hormones. This can have an impact on fertility and general reproductive health.
Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): LH levels in women with PCOS can be increased due to sex hormone abnormalities. This adds to irregular menstrual periods and other PCOS symptoms.
Pituitary Function: The pituitary gland produces LH. Abnormal LH levels can reveal information about the pituitary glands function, which is responsible for the production of various hormones.
Hormonal Balance: Monitoring LH levels can provide insights into overall hormonal balance, which is crucial for overall health and well-being.
*This test should not be performed on women using contraception pills or implants in the 6 weeks preceding the test. The interval can be even greater for those women who have had a Depot injection. Please contact the clinic for more information.