Test Id : LH
Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Serum
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
An adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities
Evaluating patients with suspected hypogonadism
Predicting ovulation
Evaluating infertility
Diagnosing pituitary disorders
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
Leuteotropic Hormone
Luteotropic Hormone
Pituitary gonadotropins
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Serum
Ordering Guidance
1. The limit of quantitation for this test is 0.01 IU/L. In pediatric settings where greater analytical sensitivity is required, order LHPED / Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Pediatrics, Serum.
2. The preferred test to confirm menopausal status is FSH / Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Serum.
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
0.5 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours | ||
| Frozen | 180 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
An adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities
Evaluating patients with suspected hypogonadism
Predicting ovulation
Evaluating infertility
Diagnosing pituitary disorders
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein hormone consisting of 2 noncovalently bound subunits (alpha and beta). The alpha subunit of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyrotropin (formerly known as thyroid-stimulating hormone), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are identical and contain 92 amino acids. The beta subunits of these hormones vary and confer the hormones' specificity. LH has a beta subunit of 121 amino acids and is responsible for interaction with the LH receptor. This beta subunit contains the same amino acids in sequence as the beta subunit of hCG, and both stimulate the same receptor; however, the hCG-beta subunit contains an additional 24 amino acids, and the hormones differ in the composition of their sugar moieties. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus controls the secretion of the gonadotropins, FSH, and LH, from the anterior pituitary.
In both male and female populations, LH is essential for reproduction. In girls and women, the menstrual cycle is divided by a midcycle surge of both LH and FSH into a follicular phase and a luteal phase. This "LH surge" triggers ovulation thereby not only releasing the egg but also initiating the conversion of the residual follicle into a corpus luteum that, in turn, produces progesterone to prepare the endometrium for a possible implantation. LH is necessary to maintain luteal function for the first 2 weeks. In case of pregnancy, luteal function will be further maintained by the action of hCG (a hormone very similar to LH) from the newly established pregnancy. LH supports thecal cells in the ovary that provide androgens and hormonal precursors for estradiol production. LH in boys and men acts on testicular interstitial cells of Leydig to cause increased synthesis of testosterone.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Males
< or =4 weeks: Not established
>1 month-< or =12 months: < or =0.4 IU/L
>12 months-< or =6 years: < or =1.3 IU/L
>6-< or =11 years: < or =1.4 IU/L
>11-< or =14 years: 0.1-7.8 IU/L
>14-< or =18 years: 1.3-9.8 IU/L
>18 years: 1.3-9.6 IU/L
Females
< or =4 weeks: Not established
>1-< or =12 months: < or =0.4 IU/L
>12 months-< or =6 years: < or =0.5 IU/L
>6-< or =11 years: < or =3.1 IU/L
>11-< or =14 years: < or =11.9 IU/L
>14-< or =18 years: 0.5-41.7 IU/L
Premenopausal:
Follicular: 1.9-14.6 IU/L
Midcycle: 12.2-118.0 IU/L
Luteal: 0.7-12.9 IU/L
Postmenopausal: 5.3-65.4 IU/L
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
In both male and female patients, primary hypogonadism results in an elevation of basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.
Postmenopausal LH levels are generally above 40 IU/L.
FSH and LH are generally elevated in:
-Primary gonadal failure
-Complete testicular feminization syndrome
-Precocious puberty (either idiopathic or secondary to a central nervous system lesion)
In female patients:
-Menopause
-Primary ovarian hypodysfunction
-Polycystic ovary disease
In male patients:
-Primary hypogonadism
LH is decreased in:
-Primary ovarian hyperfunction in female patients
-Primary hypergonadism in male patients
FSH and LH are both decreased in failure of the pituitary or hypothalamus.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No clinically significant cross-reactivity has been demonstrated with follicle-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin, or human chorionic gonadotropin.
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating anti-animal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Kaplan LA, Pesce AJ. The gonads. In: Kazmierczak SC, ed. Clinical Chemistry: Theory, Analysis, and Correlation. 3rd ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc; 1996:894
2. Dumesic DA. Hyperandrogenic anovulation: a new view of polycystic ovary syndrome. Postgrad Ob Gyn. 1995;15:1-5
3. Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
In the Roche luteinizing hormone (LH) assay, the determination of the LH level is made with the aid of a biotinylated monoclonal LH-specific antibody and a monoclonal LH-specific antibody labeled with a ruthenium complex, which form a sandwich complex. After addition of streptavidin-coated microparticles, the complex becomes bound to the solid phase via interaction of biotin and streptavidin. The reaction mixture is aspirated into the measuring cell where the microparticles are magnetically captured onto the surface of the electrode. Unbound substances are then removed with ProCell. Application of a voltage to the electrode then induces a chemiluminescent emission, which is measured by a photomultiplier.(Package insert: LH. Roche Diagnostics; 03/2024)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
83002
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| LH | Luteinizing Hormone (LH), S | 10501-5 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| LH | Luteinizing Hormone (LH), S | 10501-5 |