Elevated LH

An increased luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration above the age-, sex-, and reproductive phase-specific reference range, reflecting increased stimulation of the gonads due to reduced sex hormone feedback or dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.

• Adult male: ~1.2-8.6 IU/L

• Follicular phase: 1-14 IU/L

• Ovulatory peak: 16-104 IU/L

• Luteal phase: 1-12 IU/L

• Postmenopausal phase: 16-66 IU/L

Causes

• Primary gonadal failure (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism)

  • Primary ovarian insufficiency

  • Menopausal status

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome

  • Andropause

  • Testicular damage

    • Trauma

    • Mumps orchitis

    • Varicocele

    • Testicular atrophy

  • Klinefelter syndrome

  • Turner syndrome

• Hypothalamic–pituitary disorders

  • Pituitary tumor

  • Pituitary ischemia/infarction

  • Autoimmune pituitary disorders

• Treatment-related causes

  • Chemotherapy

  • Radiation therapy

  • Anabolic steroid withdrawal or suppression of gonadal function