Description
Luteinizing hormone (LH), also known as lutropin and sometimes lutrophin is a hormone produced by gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland. In females, ovulation is trigeered by rise of LH and development of the corpus luteum. In males, where LH is also called interstitial cell–stimulating hormone (ICSH), stimulates the Leydig cell which helps in production of testosterone. It acts with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in females.Thus LH regulates the menstrual cycle in women, and the production of testosterone in men.
This test is useful in the differential diagnosis of pituitary and gonadal insufficiency and in children with precocious puberty.The amount of luteinizing hormone is measured by this test in the blood. Abnormal LH levels with increased or decreased levels of FSH, estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone are associated with a number of pathological conditions. Increased LH levels happens at the time of menopause, primary ovarian hypofunction, and polycystic ovary disease in females and primary hypo-gonadism in males,genetic problems like klinefelter syndrome,overactive endrocrine glands or tumor formation. Decreased LH levels happens if there is primary ovarian hyperfunction in females and primary hyper-gonadism in males.LH levels indicates if there is any problem with the supply of eggs in a woman’s ovaries and a man’s sperm count, both of which affect fertility.
During puberty LH level help in breast growth and menstruation in girls, testicle and penis growth in boys, and pubic hair growth in both boys and girls.While during pregnancy the luteinizing hormone level in urine helps to determine the time when ovulation will happen.Thereby determining the chances of conceiving.
In case of woman, increased levels of LH and FSH indicate a problem with your ovaries. This is known as primary ovarian failure. Some causes of primary ovarian failure includes ovaries that are not properly developed,genetic abnormalities such as Turner syndrome,exposure to radiation,intake of chemotherapy drugs,autoimmune disorders,ovarian tumor,thyroid or adrenal disease or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Low levels of both LH and FSH can indicate secondary ovarian failure. This means another part of your body causes ovarian failure. In many cases, this is the result of problems with the areas of your brain that make hormones, such as the pituitary gland.
