Home › Categories › Hormones › Luteinising Hormone

Luteinising Hormone

LH Lutropin
Serum (SST; cycle day 1–3 for female baseline) IU/L

About this test

Pituitary gonadotropin. Triggers ovulation in women (LH surge) and stimulates testicular testosterone production (Leydig cells) in men. Elevated in primary gonadal failure.

Reference Ranges

Sex Age Range Notes
Female 18–50 yrs See notes Female: follicular 2.4–12.6; mid-cycle surge 14–96; luteal 1–12; postmenopausal >15.9
Female ≥ 50 yrs 7.7 – 58.5 Postmenopausal
Male ≥ 18 yrs 1.7 – 8.6 Adult male

Clinical Interpretation

Low / Decreased
Low — central hypogonadism (pituitary/hypothalamic), hyperprolactinaemia.
High / Increased
Elevated — primary gonadal failure, menopause, PCOS (LH:FSH ratio >2.5:1 in PCOS).

Related Tests

Prolactin
Specimen
Serum (SST; cycle day 1–3 for female baseline)
Reporting Unit
IU/L
Category
🔄 Hormones

⚠ Clinical Note
Reference ranges are indicative. Always interpret results in the context of the individual patient and local laboratory reference intervals, which may vary.