Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of LH testing

• Reveals whether your pituitary and reproductive organs are communicating properly
• Spots ovulation problems that may explain irregular periods or difficulty conceiving
• Flags early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency in younger women
• Guides fertility treatment timing by pinpointing your most fertile window
• Explains low testosterone in men when paired with testosterone and FSH
• Tracks response to hormone therapy or fertility medications over time
• Best interpreted with FSH, estradiol or testosterone, and your menstrual pattern

What is LH?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a chemical messenger produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of your brain. It belongs to a family of hormones called gonadotropins, which regulate reproductive function. The pituitary releases LH in pulses throughout the day in response to signals from the hypothalamus.

LH orchestrates ovulation and testosterone production

In women, a surge of LH triggers the release of an egg from the ovary each menstrual cycle. It also stimulates the ovary to produce progesterone, which prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy. In men, LH acts on the testes to stimulate testosterone production, supporting sperm development and male characteristics.

A window into reproductive health

LH levels reflect how well the brain and reproductive organs communicate. Measuring LH helps assess fertility, menstrual irregularities, and hormonal balance. It reveals whether the pituitary is signaling appropriately and whether the ovaries or testes are responding as expected.

Why is LH important?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a pituitary signal that orchestrates reproductive readiness by triggering ovulation in women and testosterone production in men. It reflects the brain's command over fertility, sexual maturation, and hormonal balance across the lifespan.

LH drives ovulation and testosterone

In women, LH surges mid-cycle to release an egg from the ovary, making it essential for conception. In men, it stimulates testicular cells to produce testosterone, fueling libido, muscle mass, and energy. Children have low levels until puberty, when rising LH initiates sexual development.

When LH runs low

Reduced LH suggests the pituitary or hypothalamus isn't sending adequate reproductive signals, often due to stress, low body weight, or pituitary disorders. Women may experience irregular or absent periods, difficulty conceiving, and low estrogen symptoms like fatigue or bone loss. Men may notice low libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle tone, and mood changes as testosterone declines.

When LH climbs high

Elevated LH typically means the gonads aren't responding to hormonal cues, as seen in menopause or primary ovarian or testicular failure. Women in menopause naturally have high LH as ovarian function wanes. In younger individuals, high LH with low sex hormones signals gonadal insufficiency, affecting fertility, bone density, cardiovascular health, and metabolic stability over time.

LH connects brain, gonads, and metabolic health, serving as a window into reproductive vitality and endocrine resilience.

What do my LH results mean?

Low LH levels

Low values usually reflect reduced signaling from the brain's control center for reproduction, the hypothalamus and pituitary. This can occur with chronic stress, very low body weight, excessive exercise, or pituitary dysfunction. In both men and women, low LH means less stimulation of the gonads, which can lead to reduced sex hormone production, irregular or absent menstrual cycles in women, and low testosterone with decreased sperm production in men. Some medications that affect the brain's hormonal pathways can also suppress LH.

Optimal LH levels

Being in range suggests healthy communication between the brain and reproductive organs. In premenopausal women, LH fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle, with a sharp midcycle surge triggering ovulation. In men and postmenopausal women, stable levels within the reference range indicate appropriate baseline signaling. Optimal values vary widely depending on cycle phase, age, and sex, so interpretation always requires clinical context.

High LH levels

High values usually reflect the pituitary working harder to stimulate underperforming gonads. In women approaching or after menopause, elevated LH is normal as the ovaries produce less estrogen. In younger women, high LH may suggest polycystic ovary syndrome or primary ovarian insufficiency. In men, persistently high LH often indicates testicular dysfunction with low testosterone production.

Factors that influence LH interpretation

Results must be interpreted alongside sex, age, menstrual cycle timing, and menopausal status. Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives, and certain medications alter LH levels significantly.