Quick answer
The Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test costs ₹500 at Live Line Health Care. Measures the pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation in women and testosterone production in men, used in fertility, PCOS and puberty checks. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 hours.
Also known as: Luteinizing Hormone, Luteinising Hormone, Serum LH, S. LH, LH Hormone, LH Level, Day 2 LH, Lutropin
What is the LH Test?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is released by the pituitary gland in pulses. In women, a sharp surge of LH around the middle of the cycle makes the mature follicle release an egg, and LH then helps the empty follicle produce progesterone. In men, LH tells the testes to make testosterone. Because its role differs so much between the sexes and across the menstrual cycle, an LH number only makes sense alongside your sex, age, cycle day and usually FSH.
Doctors use LH mostly in fertility and hormone workups. A high LH with low sex hormones suggests the ovaries or testes are not responding, while a low or normal LH with low sex hormones points the doctor towards the pituitary or hypothalamus instead. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, LH is often higher than FSH, although that pattern alone is no longer used to diagnose PCOS. LH also helps assess early or delayed puberty in children.
What it measures: The level of luteinizing hormone in blood, reported in mIU/mL (the same number as IU/L).
Parameters included (1)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Why is this test done?
- Part of a fertility workup in women and men
- Investigating irregular or absent periods, along with FSH and prolactin
- Supporting the assessment of PCOS
- Finding out whether low testosterone starts in the testes or the pituitary
- Assessing early or delayed puberty in children
- Supporting the assessment of menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency
When should you get tested?
- Periods that are irregular, very infrequent or have stopped
- Difficulty conceiving after a year of trying, or six months if over 35
- Signs of PCOS such as acne, excess hair growth and weight gain
- Low sex drive, erectile difficulty or low testosterone in men
- Puberty starting unusually early, or not by the expected age
How to prepare for the LH Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2If you have periods, give the sample on day 2 to 5 of your cycle, counting the first day of bleeding as day 1, unless your doctor asks for a different day.
- 3Men should give a morning sample, ideally together with testosterone if that has also been requested.
- 4Tell the staff about birth control pills, hormone therapy and fertility medicines, which strongly affect LH. Do not stop them without your doctor’s advice.
LH Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Women, follicular phase (day 2 to 5) | About 2.4–12.6 mIU/mL |
| Women, mid-cycle surge | About 14–96 mIU/mL |
| Women, luteal phase | About 1.0–11.4 mIU/mL |
| Women, after menopause | About 7.7–58.5 mIU/mL |
| Adult men | About 1.7–8.6 mIU/mL |
Ranges depend on the cycle phase and the analyser used. Children before puberty have very low LH, with separate ranges. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A high LH together with a high FSH and low estradiol or testosterone suggests the ovaries or testes are not responding, as happens after menopause or with testicular failure.
- A low or normal LH with low sex hormones suggests the signal from the pituitary or hypothalamus is reduced. Common causes include major weight loss, intense exercise, stress, high prolactin and pituitary conditions.
- An LH clearly higher than FSH on day 2 to 5 of the cycle is common in PCOS. Doctors confirm PCOS using cycles, signs of excess androgen and an ovarian scan, not this ratio alone.
- A very high LH in the middle of the cycle is normal, as it is the surge that triggers ovulation. This is why the cycle day must be known before reading the result.
Health packages that include this test
The LH Test is included in these full body checkups:
LH Test – FAQs
What is the price of the LH Test?
The Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test costs ₹500 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Why is the LH test done on day 2 or 3 of the period?
Early in the cycle, hormones are at their baseline before an egg starts to mature, and published ranges are based on this phase. Testing on day 2 to 5 makes your LH comparable with those ranges and with your FSH and estradiol, which are usually checked on the same day.
What is the LH to FSH ratio in PCOS?
In many women with PCOS, early-cycle LH is two or more times higher than FSH. However, many women with PCOS have a normal ratio, so it is a supporting clue rather than a diagnosis. Doctors diagnose PCOS from cycle pattern, androgen signs and an ultrasound scan.
Is the LH blood test the same as an ovulation kit?
They measure the same hormone in different ways. Home kits detect the LH surge in urine to time ovulation over several days. The blood test gives an exact level on one day, which doctors use to assess the hormone system rather than to pinpoint ovulation.
Why would a man need an LH test?
LH tells the testes to make testosterone. If testosterone is low, LH shows where the problem starts. A high LH means the testes are not responding, while a low or normal LH points to the pituitary or hypothalamus. This guides treatment and further tests.
Do birth control pills affect LH results?
Yes. The pill suppresses LH and FSH to prevent ovulation, so results taken while you are on it do not reflect your natural cycle. Ask your doctor whether testing should wait until you have had natural periods again. Do not stop the pill just for this test.
Where can I get the LH Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.