From the Guidelines
A luteinizing hormone (LH) level of 63 is considered elevated and may indicate conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), given that the normal range for LH is typically below 11 IU/l, as indicated in the study 1. To determine the cause of this elevation, further evaluation is necessary, including a complete hormonal panel. This panel should include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to assess the LH/FSH ratio, which is crucial in diagnosing PCOS, as an LH/FSH ratio >2 is often seen in PCOS patients 1. Some key points to consider in the evaluation of an elevated LH level include:
- The clinical context, such as age, sex, menstrual status in women, and accompanying symptoms, which all affect the interpretation of the LH level.
- The possibility of PCOS, which is a common cause of irregular periods in women and is associated with hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, follicular arrest, and ovarian acyclicity, as discussed in the study 1.
- The need for a thorough diagnostic workup, including pelvic ultrasound to check for polycystic ovaries, and measurements of other hormones such as prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, and androstenedione, as outlined in the study 1.
- The importance of consulting with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of the elevated LH level and to develop an appropriate treatment plan, taking into account the patient's specific health goals and medical history.
From the Research
LH Level of 63
- The study 2 measured serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in 63 unselected women with clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compared them with those from a group of 20 normal ovulatory controls.
- The mean serum LH was significantly higher in the women with PCOS compared with the normal group, but this measurement was in the abnormal range for only 35% of the women with PCOS.
- Another study 3 found that an elevated LH-to-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio was associated with the development of a dominant follicle when ovulation induction was implemented with clomiphene citrate or letrozole in women with PCOS.
- However, there is no direct information in the provided studies about the significance of an LH level of 63.
Related Hormone Studies
- A study 4 on clomiphene citrate for men with hypogonadism found that total testosterone increased during clomiphene citrate treatment, and an increase was also seen in free testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol.
- Another study 5 compared the therapeutic efficacy of clomiphene citrate and letrozole on ovulation, pregnancy, and live birth in women with PCOS, but did not provide information on LH levels.
- A randomized prospective double-blind comparison trial 6 of clomiphene citrate and anastrozole in raising testosterone in hypogonadal infertile men found that clomiphene citrate resulted in significantly higher testosterone levels than anastrozole.