Introduction:
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a chemical or hormone in the body that activates essential processes of the reproductive system. Both men and women produce this hormone. For women, it affects the ovaries; for men, it affects the testes. The luteinizing hormone plays a vital role in puberty, menstruation, and fertility. A doctor usually prescribes the luteinizing hormone test to check its level in the body if someone is facing fertility issues or irregular menstruation.
What Is Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?
Luteinizing hormone (LH), also known as lutropin or interstitial cell-stimulating hormone and is produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized small gland present at the base of the brain. This hormone, also known as gonadotropin, affects sex organs in both males and females. This hormone works in conjunction with another gonadotropin hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which helps grow eggs in the ovary.
What Are the Functions of the Luteinizing Hormone?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are both secreted by the pituitary glands that work together to regulate the functions of the reproductive system. These hormones act as chemical messengers that signal sex organs to perform their functions in males and females.
Luteinizing Hormone in Women -
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Luteinizing hormone stimulates changes in the ovaries that help in the normal menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
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Ovulation is the process during which luteinizing hormone causes the ovary to release a mature egg during the menstrual cycle. This is when the chances of getting pregnant are high.
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Luteinizing hormone helps in the secretion of the hormone progesterone, which provides support during the early stages of pregnancy.
Luteinizing Hormone in Men -
In males, luteinizing hormone helps in the production of testosterone hormone, which helps regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone during puberty (teenage) helps boys develop male features like a deeper voice, body and facial hair growth, and muscle mass.
Luteinizing Hormone in Infants and Children -
Luteinizing hormone during puberty helps stimulate both ovaries and testes to produce testosterone. Testosterone is converted into estrogen (a sex hormone that helps develop and regulate the female reproductive system) in the ovary. And in males, it also causes change relates to sexual development.
What Is a Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test?
The luteinizing hormone (LH) test helps measure its level in the blood. In women, the level of this hormone varies with age and throughout the periods (menstrual cycle). Women facing fertility issues may require multiple tests to track the falling and rising levels of luteinizing hormone. The test can be done either from a blood or a urine sample. And in males, this test helps identify any problem with the pituitary gland or with another part of the body.
What Is the Use of the Luteinizing Hormone Test?
There are various reasons the doctor can prescribe this test. For example, in patients facing the issue of infertility or investigating any problem related to the pituitary gland.
Some of the signs and symptoms that can be seen in pituitary gland disorder are as follows -
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Fatigue.
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Unexplained weight loss.
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Weakness.
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Decreased appetite.
In Women - This test is mainly used in conditions like -
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Having trouble getting pregnant.
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Having irregular periods.
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Confirm the start of menopause.
In Men - This test is generally done in conditions such as
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Having a lower sex drive.
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Have low testosterone levels.
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Have low muscle mass.
In Children - The doctors advise this test when the child seems to have early or late puberty.
Low luteinizing hormone levels indicate late puberty, and high levels indicate early puberty.
Signs of early puberty include the following changes in girls (eight years) and boys (nine years) -
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Beginning of menstruation.
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Breast development in girls.
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Pubic hair.
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Growth of penis and testicles.
What Are the Normal Values of the Luteinizing Hormone?
The normal values of luteinizing hormone in males, females, and children are as follows -
What Do the Test Results Mean?
The test results usually depend upon whether the patient is male, female, or a child.
In a woman, high levels of luteinizing hormone mean -
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A woman of childbearing age is not ovulating, which means problems in the ovaries due to a disorder called primary ovarian failure.
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Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common hormone disorder affecting childbearing women and is one of the leading causes of female infertility.
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Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder that interferes with sexual development in females and leads to infertility).
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Have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
A low level of luteinizing hormone in women may signify secondary ovarian failure, which means-
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The pituitary gland is not working correctly.
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Have an eating disorder.
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Have malnutrition.
In males, high levels of luteinizing hormone mean -
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Testes are damaged due to chemotherapy, radiation, infection, or alcohol abuse.
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Klinefelter's syndrome (a genetic disorder that affects sexual development in males causing infertility).
In males, a low level of luteinizing hormone means -
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Disorder of the pituitary gland.
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Disorder of the hypothalamus (a part of the brain responsible for various essential body functions).
In children, high levels of luteinizing hormone mean -
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Early puberty where signs of brain injury and disorder of the central nervous system can be seen.
In children, low levels of luteinizing hormone mean -
A low level of luteinizing hormone can be a sign of delayed puberty which occur due to the following reasons -
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A disorder of the ovaries or testicles.
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Turner syndrome in girls.
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Klinefelter syndrome in boys.
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A hormone deficiency.
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An eating disorder.
What Is the Procedure for the Luteinizing Hormone Test?
A luteinizing hormone test is done by taking a blood sample using a needle from the arm of the patient. And then analyzing the sample in the lab.
This test can also be done by using a home ovulation test kit. In this test, urine can be dropped on a test strip, and then check the result by following the instructions on the package.
Conclusion:
Luteinizing hormone (LH) helps in the onset of puberty, regulates menstruation, and contributes to sex drive. The luteinizing hormone test can be a valuable indicator for the efficient working of the sex organs and the pituitary gland working of the pituitary gland. This test also helps in diagnosing many developmental and fertility-related problems. A routine luteinizing hormone test will definitely benefit individuals facing hormonal or fertility issues.
