LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Why It Drops on Testosterone
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[Glossary · How doses act in the body]

LH (luteinizing hormone)

Also called LH, luteinizing hormone, lutropin, ICSH · Reviewed

Definition: LH (luteinizing hormone) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. In men, MedlinePlus says LH tells the testicles to make testosterone. In women, it helps run the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. An LH test measures it in blood, or sometimes urine.

Why it shows up on labs when you track doses

The Depo-Testosterone label says that when testosterone is given from outside, the body's own testosterone release is held back through feedback inhibition of pituitary LH. So LH is one way to see that natural production has slowed.

LH also helps find the cause of low testosterone. The Xyosted label says men with primary hypogonadism (a testicle problem) usually have gonadotropins (FSH and LH) above the normal range, while men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a pituitary or brain problem) have gonadotropins in the normal or low range.

MedlinePlus says LH is usually tested together with FSH, since the two work closely together.

Common mix-ups

  • Timing in women. LH rises sharply just before ovulation, so MedlinePlus says people with periods may need the test on a set day of the cycle.
  • Home ovulation tests measure urine LH. They are a different use from a blood LH test ordered to look at hormone problems.
  • One number is not a diagnosis. MedlinePlus says your provider reads LH with your age, sex, symptoms and other hormone results.

Each lab sets its own reference range, so read your result against the range printed on your own report, and talk with your clinician about what it means for you.

Read more on Dose Track: Fertility on TRT · Low testosterone · Logging lab results in Dose Track

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
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Frequently asked questions

Why is my LH low on testosterone?+
The Depo-Testosterone label says outside testosterone holds back the body's own testosterone release through feedback on pituitary LH. Your clinician can explain what your result means.
Does LH help explain low testosterone?+
Yes. The Xyosted label says LH and FSH tend to be high when the problem is in the testicles and normal or low when it is in the pituitary or brain.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (NIH): Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test
  2. Depo-Testosterone (testosterone cypionate) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  3. Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) US prescribing information, sections 1, 5 and 12.3, DailyMed

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