LH response to GnRH

Alternative names:

luteinizing hormone response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Normal values:

LH level

• children: < 2.0 IU/ml
• male: 0.9 to 10.6 IU/ml
• female; follicular: 1.1 to 11.1 IU/ml
• female; mid-cycle: 17.5 to 72.9 IU/ml
• female; luteal; 0.4 to 15.1 IU/ml
• female; post menopausal: 6.8 to 46.6 IU/ml

Note: IU/ml = international units per milliliter

What abnormal results mean:

• An excess LH response is indicative of primary gonadal failure (the problem is within the ovaries or testes).
• A reduced LH response suggests hypothalamic or pituitary disease.
• A gonadotropin deficiency can be present at birth as a congenital or hereditary disorder.
• Kallman's syndrome is a rare congenital disease characterized by gonadotropin deficiency caused by GnRH deficiency.
• Acquired defects of GnRH production are more common, for example, hyperprolactinemia amenorrhea may be caused by inhibition of GnRH release, possibly mediated by increased hypothalamic dopamine or prolactin.
• Anorexia nervosa and starvation inhibit GnRH release as well.
• A gonadotropin deficiency may be a relatively early defect in patients with large pituitary adenomas (tumors).
• A gonadotropin deficiency also occurs in patients with polyglandular endocrine deficiency (presumably one of the autoimmune disorders) and in people with hemochromatosis.