What is luteinizing hormone

Luteinizing hormone is a protein hormone secreted by cells in the human pituitary gland. This luteinizing hormone can be converted into sex hormones in the human body. It can effectively promote follicle hormones in the female body, causing the follicles in the female body to mature or ovulate, etc. For the male body, it can make the cells in the male testicles produce testosterone, which is more beneficial to the body.

What is luteinizing hormone?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein gonadotropin secreted by pituitary cells that promotes the conversion of cholesterol into sex hormones in gonadal cells. For women, it works together with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to promote follicle maturation, estrogen secretion, ovulation, and the formation and maintenance of the corpus luteum, secreting progesterone and estrogen. In men, LH triggers the synthesis and release of testosterone by Leydig cells of the testes.

Clinical significance

1. Combined detection of serum LH and FSH: For women, it is mainly used to differentiate between primary (ovarian) amenorrhea and secondary (pituitary) amenorrhea, the latter of which shows decreased serum LH. For men, it is mainly used to differentiate between primary and secondary testicular insufficiency.

2. Serum LH testing can identify true or false precocious puberty in prepubertal children.

3. During the menstrual cycle, once the LH peak appears, it indicates ovarian ovulation in 24 to 36 hours. Therefore, monitoring the serum LH peak in the middle of the menstrual cycle can determine the best time for conception.

4. Increased serum LH is seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (persistent anovulation and excess androgen, etc.), Turner syndrome, primary hypogonadism, premature ovarian failure, after oophorectomy, and in menopausal syndrome or menopausal women.

5. LH may also decrease after long-term use of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.

Reference value

Microparticle chemiluminescence

1. Female serum LH

(1) Follicular phase: 2.12-10.89 mU/ml

(2) Ovulation period: 19.18～103.03mU/ml

(3) Luteal phase: 1.20-12.86 mU/ml

(4) Menopause: 10.87-58.64 mU/ml

2. Male serum LH

1. 24～8.63mU/ml