LH urine test (home test )

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pituitary hormones

Overview

Risks

Results

LH urine test (home test )

Definition:

This urine test detects LH levels above a certain threshold.

Alternative Names:

Luteinizing hormone urine test (home test); Ovulation prediction test; Urinary immunoradiometric assays (IRMA)

How the test is performed:

Urine is collected. A sample of the urine is then applied to the test kit. The first urine of the day should not be used for this test.

Why the test is performed:

The test is done to determine the time of ovulation and is also used to adjust doses of certain medications.

The anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones called gonadotropins (LH is one of these), which stimulate the ovary to prepare a follicle to release an egg. Once the follicle has matured, a dramatic rise in LH levels (known as the "LH surge") signals the ovary to release the egg (this is ovulation). Ovulation typically occurs 10-12 hours after the peak of the LH surge.

Review Date: 5/23/2005
Reviewed By: Sharon Roseanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H. Clinical Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.