What is LH test?
Infertility Profile Test- LH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. LH stands for Luteinizing Hormone. The LH test measures the level of LH in the blood. The LH test is usually combined with the estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, FSH and Prolactin tests.
What is Luteinizing Hormone?
The pituitary gland in the base of the brain actively releases Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which exhibits variations throughout the day due to its pulsatile release.
In response to signals from the hypothalamus region of the brain, the pituitary gland releases this hormone. Nerve cells in this region actively respond to hormones like estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in the blood, controlling the secretion of the hormone.
LH actively affects the reproductive organs of both males and females. In males, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testis to actively produce testosterone. In females, LH actively plays a crucial role in ovulation and the final maturation of the egg.
During an IVF cycle, fertility specialists actively utilize recombinant human LH injections, which are currently available. Additionally, hormones like hCG, which possess similar actions to LH, are actively used to induce egg maturation during controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF.
What is the role of LH test role in infertility treatment?
LH plays a role in the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs in women. The Infertility Profile Test- LH assesses fertility and helps diagnose fertility problems.
During fertility treatment, doctors may use the Infertility Profile Test- LH to assess the function of the ovaries. A high or low level of LH can indicate improper functioning of the ovaries, which can affect fertility.
To ensure proper controlled ovarian stimulation during an IVF or ICSI process, doctors may use the LH test.
Over the counter home ovulation kits commonly use urine LH tests to identify the fertile window. In a healthy female, ovulation occurs 10-12 hours after the peak LH surge.
Low LH values in men may indicate a pituitary or hypothalamic disorder, leading to low testosterone levels and infertility
How do you perform the LH test?
You take a regular blood test to measure LH. It is a simple and non-invasive test. The test provides different values in women during the follicular phase (1.68-15 IU/L), ovulatory peak (21.9-56.6IU/L) and during the luteal phase (0.61-16.3IU/L) of the menstrual cycle. Post menopausal women have values between 14.2-52.3IU/L.
Infertility Profile Test- LH: What does a high LH value suggest?
High LH values can point towards the cause of infertility. This includes:
- Primary gonadal dysfunction
- PCOS
- Pituitary Adenoma
Infertility Profile Test- LH: What does a low LH value suggest?
Low LH values can suggest the following conditions-
- Pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction
- Kallmann’s syndrome
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Severe stress
- Malnutrition
What is the role of LH measurements during IVF cycles? What is premature lutenization and empty follicle syndrome?
Doctors in the past believed that high LH values on day 2 or 3 of an IVF cycle were associated with poor outcomes. However, recent studies with antagonist cycles have shown that there is no association between day 2 or 3 LH and IVF cycle outcomes.
Furthermore, LH plays a critical role in the final maturation of eggs in an IVF cycle, and it is a component of HCG injections.
A condition known as premature luteinization, also referred to as “premature LH surge,” occurs when there is an increase in LH and progesterone before the hCG injection trigger during controlled ovarian stimulation. This condition leads to stimulation failure and results in empty follicles. To prevent the premature LH surge, your doctor will initiate the use of antagonists at the appropriate time
Premature luteinization (“premature LH surge”) is a condition where an increase in LH and progesterone happens before the hCG injection trigger during controlled ovarian stimulation. This results to a failure of stimulation and results to empty follicles. Your doctor would start you on medicines called antagonists at the right time to prevent the premature LH surge.
What is the cost of an LH test in Bangalore?
Most laboratories charge between Rs. 400 and 1200 for an LH test. Laboratories may charge a nominal fee of Rs. 100-500 for home collection.