All Tests, Hormones, Women's Health
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Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test

$ 49.0
$49

Evaluate your luteinizing hormone level with an LH blood test.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a protein produced by the pituitary gland that has a vital role in reproductive health. LH supports testosterone production in men and triggers ovulation (egg release) from the ovary in women. Monitoring LH levels may offer insights into your reproductive health and may help with tracking ovulation patterns.

 

Results will vary depending on factors such as sex, age, menstrual cycle phase and if you are taking certain medications (such as hormone therapy). Abnormal levels, either high or low, might indicate an underlying hormonal imbalance or other health condition. Changes in levels can sometimes help to explain symptoms such as irregular periods, low libido or hot flashes.

 

Note: This test does not diagnose or determine the cause of infertility, menstrual irregularities or any health condition. LH is often evaluated in the context of other hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This test provides a snapshot of your hormone level at the time of testing; you will receive test results a few days after the sample is collected. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your result.

 

 

 

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
$ 49.0
$49

Test Details

Sample Type: Blood
Collection Method: In person at a Labcorp location
Age: 18+
Results: 1-2 days from when your sample arrives at our lab
HSA/FSA: Accepted
Test must be taken by purchaser

Preparation: If you’re taking a supplement containing biotin (also called vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H or coenzyme R), commonly found in products promoting nail, skin and hair health, we recommend that you wait at least 72 hours from your last dose before taking the test.

For individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB): This test can be taken at any time.

For individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB): Baseline hormone levels can be assessed by testing beginning on day 3 of the menstrual cycle. The LH surge associated with ovulation typically occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle.

 

What's Tested
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

    Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in regulating reproductive function in men and women. In women, LH helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, trigger ovulation (egg release) and stimulate progesterone production in anticipation of pregnancy. In men, LH stimulates testosterone production in the testes.

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FAQ

  • In women, LH testing is typically ordered by a health care provider in conjunction with other hormone tests to assess ovulation, infertility, pituitary gland disorders, and other health conditions associated with hormonal imbalance.

     

    In men, an LH test may be ordered by a health care provider in conjunction with other hormone tests to help assess the cause of infertility, a low sperm count, low testosterone levels, pituitary gland disorders, and other health conditions associated with hormone imbalance. 

     

    Note: This test does not diagnose or determine the cause of infertility, menstrual irregularities or any health condition. LH is often evaluated in the context of other hormone tests such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This test provides a snapshot of your hormone level at the time of testing; you will receive test results a few days after the sample is collected. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your result.

  • If tested regularly and monitored over time, an LH test can help with ovulation tracking.  If you are trying to conceive, becoming familiar with your ovulation patterns can be useful information for identifying your fertile window.

     

    During a typical menstrual cycle, LH levels are highest just before ovulation. This surge triggers the release of an egg from the ovary, then levels decrease after ovulation and remain low during the luteal phase.4 Hormone levels may fluctuate widely throughout the menstrual cycle. Understanding these fluctuations can be helpful for tracking ovulation patterns.

     

    If you have irregular cycles, your LH surge may be less predictable, making it more difficult to track ovulation.

     

    However, if you have irregular cycles, your LH surge may be less predictable and difficult to identify.

  • Hormone changes in the body trigger each of the four phases of the menstrual cycle: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.

     

    Menstruation is the first phase of the menstrual cycle and is the shedding of the lining of the uterus. During menstruation, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop, which causes the endometrium to detach from the walls of the uterus, causing bleeding.

     

    Proliferative (follicular) phase is the phase of the menstrual cycle that starts after menstruation and ends with ovulation. During this phase, the ovaries produce follicles which develop into a mature egg. The level of estrogen increases, and this helps to thicken the lining of the uterus so that it can support a pregnancy. The follicles grow and mature under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

     

    Ovulation phase is when an egg is released from a follicle in the ovary. Ovulation is triggered by a surge in the hormone luteinizing hormone (LH). The egg travels down the fallopian tube towards the uterus, where it can be fertilized by a sperm.

     

    Luteal phase begins after ovulation when the follicle that released the egg becomes a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. Progesterone helps to maintain the thick lining of the uterus to prepare for a fertilized egg. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down and the level of progesterone decreases. This causes the lining of the uterus to shed, and the menstrual cycle begins again.

  • An at-home urine test can detect the LH surge that normally occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle just before ovulation. It is typically used to help predict the most fertile window for women hoping to become pregnant because the increase in LH triggers the release of an egg. If the at-home urine LH test result is positive, it suggests that ovulation will occur in the next 24 to 48 hours.

     

    The Labcorp OnDemand Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test measures the levels of LH in your blood to assess your hormone status. LH is often evaluated in the context of other hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). An LH blood test provides a snapshot of your hormone level at the time of testing; you will receive test results a few days after the sample is collected.

  • Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

  • Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also provided to PWNHealth, which provides professional healthcare provider services for OnDemand tests. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, or federal health authority, but only when legally required. For example, many states require the testing laboratory and healthcare provider to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases or COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

     

    If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Visit the Labcorp OnDemand website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp OnDemand account. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires a healthcare provider order; for your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with PWNHealth LLC and its affiliated professional entities (collectively, PWNHealth) to provide healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready to be accessed through your Labcorp OnDemand account or through your Labcorp Patient account.