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Alternative names
ICSH; Luteinizing hormoneDefinition Return to top
LH blood test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH).How the test is performed Return to top
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to fill with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How to prepare for the test Return to top
The health care provider may advise you to avoid drugs that may affect the test (see special considerations). For women in their reproductive years, the test may need to be done on a specific day of the menstrual cycle.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
This test may be performed when a disorder associated with abnormal levels of LH is suspected.Normal Values Return to top
What abnormal results mean Return to top
Greater-than-normal levels of LH may indicate:Lower-than-normal levels of LH may indicate hypopituitarism.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include:
What the risks are Return to top
Special considerations Return to top
Recent exposure to radioisotopes -- a recent nuclear medicine scan, for example -- can interfere with test results. Drugs that can decrease LH measurements include birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and testosterone.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |