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LH blood test - Results

Alternative Names

ICSH - blood test; Luteinizing hormone - blood test; Interstitial cell stimulating hormone - blood test

Normal Values:

Adult female: 5 to 25 IU/L (levels peak around the middle of the menstrual cycle)

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Greater-than-normal levels of LH may indicate:

Anorchia (absence of testes or testes that do not function)
Hypogonadism
Klinefelter syndrome
Menopause
Ovarian failure (see Ovarian hypofunction)
Polycystic ovary disease
Precocious puberty
Turner syndrome

Lower-than-normal levels of LH may indicate hypopituitarism.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include:

Reviewed last on: 7/29/2009
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Webster RA. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 25.

Ferri FF. Laboratory tests and interpretation of results. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:section IV.

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