Luteinizing Hormone (Serum) – Confirmatory Test
This test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your blood, a hormone important for reproductive health. LH helps regulate ovulation in women and sperm production in men.
["LH helps trigger key reproductive events and may be checked for fertility or hormonal imbalances."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 32328-7
- Short code
- LH BS SerPl-aCnc
- Synonyms
- LH BS SerPl-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 1.5
- Ref high
- 9
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms like irregular periods, missed periods, or fertility concerns. Men might have it checked for low sperm production or hormonal issues. LH levels can also be monitored during treatments like fertility medications.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before drawing blood. Wear a comfortable shirt for easy access to your arm.
What Happens During the Test
A healthcare professional will insert a small needle into your arm to draw blood. You may feel a brief pinch, but it usually doesn’t cause discomfort. The blood sample is then sent to a lab for testing.
What the Results Mean
Results are compared to a general range of LH levels in adults, though exact values depend on age, sex, and health status. Abnormal results may prompt further testing or discussions about underlying conditions.
Reference range
Follicular: 1.5-9.0 mIU/mLN/A
For females: inform if menstrual cycle status. For certain tests, timing within menstrual cycle may matter.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
High LH levels can signal conditions like premature ovarian insufficiency (in women) or testicular dysfunction (in men). Low LH may indicate hypogonadism, pituitary disorders, or other hormonal deficiencies. Always discuss results with your provider for personalized interpretation.
Short name
LH Confirmatory
Frequently asked questions
How often is LH tested?
What causes LH levels to change?
Can diet or exercise affect LH test results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy