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Test ID LH Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Serum

Useful For

An adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities

 

Evaluating patients with suspected hypogonadism

 

Predicting ovulation

 

Evaluating infertility

 

Diagnosing pituitary disorders

Method Name

Immunoenzymatic Assay 

Reporting Name

Luteinizing Hormone (LH), S

Specimen Type

Serum

Container/Tube: 

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.

Additional Information: Twelve hours before this blood test, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin or vitamin B7 that are commonly found in hair, skin and nail supplements and multivitamins.

 

Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request Form (T729) with the specimen

(http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/oncology-request-form.pdf)

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Clinical Information

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), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 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 males and females, LH is essential for reproduction. In females, 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 males acts on testicular interstitial cells of Leydig to cause increased synthesis of testosterone.

Reference Values

Males

0-14 days: not established

15 days-10 years: 0.3-2.8 IU/L

11 years: 0.3-1.8 IU/L

12 years: 0.3-4.0 IU/L

13 years: 0.3-6.0 IU/L

14 years: 0.5-7.9 IU/L

15-16 years: 0.5-10.8 IU/L

17 years: 0.9-5.9 IU/L

≥18 years: 1.8-8.6 IU/L

 

TANNER STAGES*

Stage l: 0.3-2.7 IU/L

Stage ll: 0.3-5.1 IU/L

Stage lll: 0.3-6.9 IU/L

Stage lV: 0.5-5.3 IU/L

Stage V: 0.8-11.8 IU/L

*Puberty onset occurs for boys at a median age of 11.5 (± 2) years. For boys there is no proven relationship between puberty onset and body weight or ethnic origin. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (adult) should be reached by age 18.

Females

0-14 days: not established

15 days-3 years: 0.3-2.5 IU/L

4-6 years: ≤1.9 IU/L

7-8 years: ≤3.0 IU/L

9-10 years: ≤4.0 IU/L

11 years: ≤6.5 IU/L

12 years: 0.4-9.9 IU/L

13 years: 0.3-5.4 IU/L

14 years: 0.5-31.2 IU/L

15 years: 0.5-20.7 IU/L

16 years: 0.4-29.4 IU/L

17 years: 1.6-12.4 IU/L

≥18 years

Premenopausal

Follicular: 2.1-10.9 IU/L

Midcycle: 20.0-100.0 IU/L

Luteal: 1.2-12.9 IU/L

Postmenopausal: 10.0-60.0 IU/L

 

TANNER STAGES*

Stage I: ≤2.0 IU/L

Stage II: ≤6.5 IU/L

Stage III: 0.3-17.2 IU/L

Stage IV: 0.5-26.3 IU/L

Stage V: 0.6-13.7 IU/L

*Puberty onset (transition from Tanner stage I to Tanner stage II) occurs for girls at a median age of 10.5 (± 2) years. There is evidence that it may occur up to 1 year earlier in obese girls and in African American girls. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (adult) should be reached by age 18.

 

Pediatric ranges derived for DXI method from analytic comparison to reference method in: Elmlinger MW, Kuhnel W, Ranke MB: Reference ranges for serum concentrations of lutropin (LH), follitropin (FSH), estradiol (E2), prolactin, progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), cortisol and ferritin in neonates, children and young adults. Clin Chem Lab Med 2002;40(11):1151-1160

Cautions

Twelve hours before this blood test, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin or vitamin B7 that are commonly found in hair, skin and nail supplements and multivitamins.

 

No clinically significant cross-reactivity has been demonstrated with follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, 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 antianimal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday; 5 a.m.–12 a.m., Saturday; 6 a.m.–6 p.m.

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. 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

83002

NY State Approved

Yes