Anatomy-Lexicon

Luteinizing hormone

definition

The Luteinizing hormone, LH (translated as "yellow coloring hormone") affects the gonads in humans and fulfills important functions for reproductive capacity (so-called. Fertility). It is indispensable for ovulation in women and for sperm maturation in men.

It is a so-called peptide hormone, which consists of protein. It is made in the Anterior pituitary gland (the pituitary gland), the stimulus for this is provided by another, higher-level hormone, the Gonadoliberin (GnRH).

Mode of action

The luteinizing hormone regulates the synthesis and secretion of sex hormones in the gonads of men and women. In this respect, it is essential for the reproductive ability of both sexes.

In men, the LH acts on so-called Leydig cells in the testes and thus promotes the synthesis and release of testosterone.

The LH plays an important role in the female cycle. Cycle day triggers ovulation.
After ovulation, the auxiliary cells of the egg remain in the mucous membrane of the ovary, which are now called the corpus luteum (Corpus luteum) form . For this reason, this hormone is also called yellow coloring hormone (luteinizing hormone).

The corpus luteum now produces the stimulated by the LH Progesterone. This hormone prepares the lining of the uterus for pregnancy or for an egg cell that can implant itself when fertilized.
If the egg cell is not fertilized, the corpus luteum regresses and the resulting lack of progesterone eventually leads to menstrual bleeding.

values

In the case of LH, a standard value that is generally applicable cannot be specified.
The concentration of LH in the blood depends on whether it is a woman or a man. In addition, the normal ranges of the LH differ depending on whether it is a girl before puberty, a sexually mature woman or a woman after the menopause.
Also within the female cycle, different norm values are valid in different phases. The concentration of the hormone in the blood is given in the unit IU / l (International Units per liter).

In women, the normal value in the first cycle phase (day 1 to approximately day 12-14) is in the range of 1.9-12.5 IU / l.
Shortly before ovulation, during the LH peak (sudden increase in LH that triggers ovulation), the concentration is 8.7-76.3 IU / l. So-called ovulation tests measure this value and thus indicate the fertile days of the woman when she wants to have children.
In the second half of the cycle, the normal range is between 0.5-16.9 IU / l. After the menopause, a value of 15.9-54.0 IU / l is normal. In children before puberty, the value can be up to 6 IU / l.

In men, a blood concentration of 1.5-9.3 IU / l is normal.

Basically it can be said that the LH pulsatile, so is poured out in bursts. Therefore, several measurements on the same day can produce different results, as it is not a continuous process. Different laboratories also have different standard values, which should be taken into account when interpreting them.

Read more on the topic: How do I get pregnant?

What can trigger elevated values?

Elevated levels may be normal in women just before ovulation, as this surge in LH triggers ovulation.

Permanently high concentrations of LH can indicate an underactive ovarian function (so-called. primary ovarian failure). Due to the lack of function of the ovaries, the LH is increased by regulation and tries unsuccessfully to activate the ovaries

Also the clinical picture of polycystic ovaries (Ovaries with lots of cysts) can trigger a variety of hormonal changes, such as an LH surge. Often there is infertility, menstrual cycle disorders, acne or excessive body hair.

Early menopause can also trigger increased LH levels.

In men, as in women, it can be caused by an underactive testicle (so-called. primary testicular failure) lead to an increase in LH levels.

Both men and women can have an overfunction in the LH's place of education, i.e. in the Pituitary gland (Pituitary gland), cause increased values. This can be done, for example, by a Pituitary adenoma, a mostly benign tumor.

What can trigger lowered values?

Decreased LH levels can be caused by a disturbance in the place where the hormone is produced, the pituitary gland (pituitary gland).
The pituitary gland, or more precisely the Anterior pituitary gland, located in the brain, this is where the LH is formed and released. This is stimulated by another hormone from the brain, the gonadoliberin (GnRH), which is produced by the Hypothalamus (a section of the diencephalon) comes from.
An underactive hypothalamus can also cause decreased LH levels.

Taking the pill, anorexia or the rare Kallmann syndrome lead to low LH values.

In men, the intake of testosterone (e.g. for medical reasons) can also lead to decreased LH values via negative feedback.

Menopause

During menopause, there are fundamental changes in the woman's sex hormone balance.
Since the estrogen level alone is not meaningful, LH and that also become Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) certainly. The FSH increases in menopause to up to 30 times the normal value. The LH level increases up to 5 times during menopause.
During the menopause, the value is usually over 15 IU / l.

If the FSH level is already elevated, but the LH level is still normal, the ovaries still have a residual function.

However, the LH level is subject to strong fluctuations during the menopause, so that multiple checks should always be carried out. After menopause (postmenopausal) the LH value is still increased.

More information on menopause

Place of education

The luteinizing hormone is made in the pituitary gland, the Adenohypophysis (Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland) educated.
The synthesis and release of LH is controlled by a hormone from the hypothalamus (a section of the diencephalon) called gonadoliberin (GnRH).

The LH in turn stimulates the production and release of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries and from testosterone in the testicle. For this reason one speaks of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis (or. Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis).

It is subject to the principle of negative feedback, so that Testosterone, estrogen or progesterone at receptors of the pituitary gland (Pituitary gland) and the hypothalamus (a section of the diencephalon) and stop the release of LH and gonadoliberin here. This means that these hormones slow down their own release at increased concentrations, since the amount already present is already sufficient. At a lower concentration, however, fewer hormones bind to these receptors and more LH and gonadoliberin are released again.

The sufficient concentration of end products (Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) regulates the release of LH and gonadoliberin at the previous stations and in the best case ensures normal concentrations.

More information about reproductive hormones

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