LH

Alternative names:

ICSH; luteinizing hormone

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Recent exposure to radioisotope (a recent nuclear medicine scan, for example) can interfere with test results.

Drugs that can decrease LH measurements include estrogens, progesterone (see Progestins - oral) and testosterone.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.