Book LH Test: Purpose, Normal Range and Price

The LH test is a blood test that measures the level of Luteinising Hormone, a gonadotropin produced and released by the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. In women, LH works in close coordination with FSH to regulate the menstrual cycle. A sharp midcycle surge in LH triggers ovulation, the release of a mature egg from the ovarian follicle, making LH the most important hormonal signal in the reproductive cycle. In men, LH stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone, making it essential for male reproductive and hormonal health. LH is rarely tested in isolation and is most clinically meaningful when interpreted alongside FSH, oestradiol, testosterone, and prolactin as part of a complete hormonal profile. In India, where infertility affects an estimated 10 to 15% of couples and hormonal disorders including PCOS are among the most common gynaecological conditions, LH testing is a fundamental component of fertility evaluation, menstrual irregularity workup, and pituitary function assessment. The LH to FSH ratio is particularly important in the diagnosis of PCOS, where a raised ratio is a characteristic hormonal pattern. The test involves a simple blood draw completed in under five minutes.

Doctors prescribe an LH test in the following situations: Evaluating female infertility and ovulation disorders where LH measurement alongside FSH and oestradiol assesses whether ovulation is occurring normally and identifies hormonal causes of anovulation requiring treatment. Diagnosing PCOS in women with irregular periods, excess facial or body hair, acne, and difficulty conceiving, where a raised LH to FSH ratio above 2 to 3 is a characteristic hormonal finding supporting the diagnosis. Investigating irregular or absent menstrual periods where LH helps distinguish between ovarian failure, hypothalamic amenorrhoea, hyperprolactinaemia, and pituitary dysfunction as the underlying cause. Confirming menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency in women below 40 years with absent periods, where markedly elevated LH alongside elevated FSH and low oestradiol confirms loss of ovarian function. Evaluating delayed or precocious puberty in children where LH levels help determine whether puberty is progressing appropriately and whether the cause of early or delayed development is central or peripheral in origin. Investigating male hypogonadism and infertility where LH measurement distinguishes primary testicular failure, where LH is elevated, from secondary hypogonadism caused by pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction, where LH is low. Assessing pituitary gland function as part of a complete anterior pituitary hormone panel in patients with suspected pituitary tumours, pituitary insufficiency, or hyperprolactinaemia.

The LH test measures the concentration of Luteinising Hormone in the blood, reported in international units per litre (IU/L) or milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/mL), which are equivalent units. Normal LH Range in India LH levels vary significantly by sex, age, and phase of the menstrual cycle in women. The standard reference ranges used across most Indian diagnostic laboratories are as follows. In adult women, normal LH levels are 2 to 15 IU/L in the follicular phase, 22 to 105 IU/L at the midcycle ovulatory surge, and 0.6 to 19 IU/L in the luteal phase. In postmenopausal women, LH rises significantly to between 14 and 52 IU/L. In adult men, normal LH levels are between 1.7 and 8.6 IU/L. Interpreting LH Results An elevated LH in a woman of reproductive age alongside elevated FSH and low oestradiol confirms primary ovarian failure or premature ovarian insufficiency and requires urgent specialist evaluation for women below 40 years. A raised LH to FSH ratio above 2 to 3 in a woman with irregular cycles and clinical features of androgen excess is a characteristic pattern supporting the diagnosis of PCOS, though it must be interpreted alongside ultrasound and other hormonal markers. A low LH in both men and women alongside low FSH and low sex hormones indicates hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, pointing toward a pituitary or hypothalamic cause requiring imaging and specialist endocrinological evaluation.

In women, the LH test is ideally performed on day 2 or day 3 of the menstrual cycle for baseline hormonal assessment and ovarian reserve evaluation. For ovulation tracking, LH is measured around day 10 to 14. If LH is being tested for menopause confirmation or pituitary evaluation, it can be collected on any day. Our team confirms timing at the time of booking. Fasting is not strictly required for LH testing alone. If LH is part of a broader hormonal panel that includes fasting parameters, fast as advised by your doctor. Inform the phlebotomist about all hormonal medications you are currently taking including oral contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, clomiphene, and gonadotropin injections, as these directly suppress or stimulate LH levels and must be disclosed for accurate interpretation. Inform your doctor if you have recently had any nuclear medicine imaging procedures as radioactive isotopes can interfere with immunoassay hormone measurements. Stay normally hydrated before sample collection.

If you are booking through the SecondMedic platform the LH test price starts at approximately Rs. 528. The exact price will be confirmed at the time of booking through SecondMedic. If your doctor has prescribed multiple tests alongside LH, SecondMedic health packages include LH as part of a broader fertility hormone or pituitary function panel at a significantly lower combined price.

SecondMedic provides home sample collection for LH test across all major areas in India. You do not need to visit a lab or collection centre. A certified and trained phlebotomist comes to your home or workplace at your chosen time, collects the sample using sterile single-use equipment, and ensures it is transported to the NABL-accredited lab within the required time window for accurate processing. Please note that SecondMedic provides free home sample collection on all tests priced above Rs. 300. Our team will check your pincode and confirm if your address falls under our free sample collection eligibility criteria, which depends upon the lab location and phlebotomist availability. Home collection is available between 7 AM and 10 PM, seven days a week, including Sundays and public holidays. Enter your pincode on the booking page or call our helpline to confirm availability at your address.