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Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Blood Level

LH, Luteinizing Hormone

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB88, Beaker: LH, Antrim: 17276

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)

Contact the Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection. 

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory (Outreach only).
Routine results available within 24 hours of receipt in the Laboratory.

Reference Range

MALE: 0.6-12.1 mIU/L.

FEMALE:
Follicular: 1.8-11.8 mIU/L.
Mid Cycle: 7.6-89.1 mIU/L.
Luteal: 0.6-14.0 mIU/L.
Post Menopausal: 5.2-62.0 mIU/L.

Test Methodology

Chemiluminescence Immunoassay.

Interpretation

• Samples obtained within the same day from the same patient may fluctuate widely within the reference range due to pulsatile secretion, reflecting physiological variation rather than errors in technique or methodology.
• LH measurement is clinically important because LH and growth hormone are frequently the first hormones to be affected by pituitary disease.
• High LH serum values are seen with luteal phase of menstrual cycle, primary hypogonadism, gonadotropin-secreting pituitary tumors, and menopause.
• Low LH serum values are seen with hypothalamic GnRH deficiency, pituitary LH deficiency, ectopic steroid hormone production, and GnRH analog treatment.

Clinical Utility

LH levels are used as an adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities, in the workup of patients with suspected hypogonadism, in ovulation timing, in the evaluation of infertility, and in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders.

CPT Codes

83002

Contacts

Last Updated

11/4/2024