Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Test Code

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB87

Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
Leuteotropic Hormone
Luteotropic Hormone
Pituitary gonadotropins

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection. Remove serum if testing will be delayed more than 24 hours

Transport Container

Plastic container

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated (on gel): 24 hours
Refrigerated (off gel): 7 days
Frozen: 7 days

Multiple freeze/thaw cycles should be avoided

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Samples stored on gel >24 hours, unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, hemolyzed, QNS, exceeds specimen stability requirements.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA)

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

If the LH results are inconsistent with clinical evidence, additional testing is suggested to confirm the result.
Patients receiving mouse monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or treatment may develop Human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA). HAMA may cause falsely elevated or decreased values when tested with assay kits which employ mouse monoclonal antibodies.
Presence of Heterophile antibodies in patient specimens can react with reagent immunoglobulins, interfering with in vitro immunoassays.

Reference Range

Males: 0.57 - 12.07 mIU/mL

Normally Menstruating Females
Follicular Phase: 1.80 - 11.78 mIU/mL
Mid Cycle Peak: 7.59 - 89.08 mIU/mL
Luteal Phase: 0.56 - 14.00 mIU/mL

Postmenopausal females without HRT: 5.16 - 61.99 mIU/mL

Clinical Significance

Human luteinizing hormone (LH, lutropin) is a glycoprotein hormone with two dissimilar subunits (α and β), secreted by the gonadotroph cells in the pituitary gland.
Determination of the concentration of LH is essential for the prediction of ovulation, in the evaluation of infertility, and the diagnosis of pituitary and gonadal disorders. In case of evaluating a patient for follicular rupture for egg aspiration (for in vitro fertilization), a more frequent collection of sample is necessary. Elevated concentration of LH can indicate primary amenorrhea, menopause, premature ovarian failure, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, or ovulation.

Performing Laboratory

Inova Laboratories

2832 Juniper Street

Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: March 8, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 8, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.