LH response to GnRH blood test
Definition
LH response to GnRH is a blood test to help determine if your pituitary gland can correctly respond to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). LH stands for luteinizing hormone.
Alternative Names
Luteinizing hormone response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone
How the Test is Performed
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How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
GnRH is a hormone made by the hypothalamus gland. LH is made by the pituitary gland. GnRH causes (stimulates) the pituitary gland to release LH.
This test is used to tell the difference between primary and secondary
Depending on the type of hypogonadism:
- Primary hypogonadism starts in the testicle or ovary
- Secondary hypogonadism starts in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
This test may also be done to check:
- Low
testosterone level in men - Low
estradiol level in women
Normal Results
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
An increased LH response suggests a problem in the ovaries or testes.
A reduced LH response suggests a problem with the hypothalamus gland or pituitary gland.
Abnormal results may also be due to:
- Pituitary gland problems, such as release of too much hormone (
hyperprolactinemia ) - Large
pituitary tumors - Decrease in hormones made by the
endocrine glands - Too much iron in the body (
hemochromatosis ) - Eating disorders, such as
anorexia - Recent significant weight loss, such as after bariatric surgery
- Delayed or absent puberty (Kallmann syndrome)
- Lack of periods in women (
amenorrhea ) - Obesity
Risks
There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks related to having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Multiple punctures to locate veins
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Guber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.
Haisenleder DJ, Marshall JC. Gonadotropins: regulation of synthesis and secretion. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 116.
Review Date: 06/30/2019
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