LH levels and how it helps
in planning Your Pregnancy


Luteinizing hormone, often referred as “LH” for short, is one of the most important hormones when it comes to getting pregnant. That is because it is one of the main hormones responsible for ovulation, and without it, the body is not able to release an egg naturally for fertilization.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
LH is a type of reproductive hormone that is produced by both men and women. In men, LH helps to stimulate the production of testosterone. In women, the main role is during the menstrual cycle, LH helps to trigger ovulation (i.e. the release of an egg). Its other role is to stimulate the production of estrogen and progesterone (hormones produced after ovulation).

LH spike

LH levels remain low and stable during the 1st half of the menstrual cycle. However 24-36 hours prior to the day of ovulation, LH levels spike dramatically. This sharp increase in LH levels is known as “LH surge” and this increase in LH levels triggers the body to ovulate, release eggs. Once ovulation is over, the LH levels falls back to normal.

The period of time when LH levels are increasing is considered as most fertile days for a woman and unprotected sex with the partner during this period can help in conception as during this time the chances of conception are the highest. Your most fertile days of the month are 1 to 2 days before and after your ovaries release an egg. Sperm can live in the body for up to 5 days. So, conception can occur if you have sex 5 days before ovulation, and up to 1 day after ovulation.

Normal LH Levels and Ranges
LH levels will vary depending on the individual. However, for premenopausal women with a regular menstrual cycle, any measurement between 5-25 IU/L would be considered “normal”.

LH levels during ovulation
Your LH levels will be at their highest just after your LH surge around ovulation (mid-cycle). If you have your LH levels tested around this time, you could expect them to be in the range of 12.2 to 118.0 IU/L.

LH levels after ovulation
After ovulation, your LH levels will typically drop to your normal level.

LH levels in menopause
Once you’ve reached menopause, LH remains at a heightened level compared to premenopause. Most menopausal women will have LH levels over 40 IU/L.

Testing LH Surge
When it comes to at-home testing for LH, The best option is to use a traditional at-home ovulation test kit. This type of test requires a urine sample, and it is designed to confirm whether or not your LH levels are elevated or “surging”. You can then use this information to predict when you may ovulate. Most of these rapid LH test kits detect levels of 40 mIU/ml or more.

In the picture shown below there is C (Control) and T (Test) imprinted on the device. When you do the test with your urine sample:

If you get 2 Pink colored lines (one next to C and another next to T) then the test result is Positive and 
If you get only one Pink colored line next to C means the test result is Negative.

Kindly note The Light pink band at C is valued by the manufacturer as 40 mIU/ml of LH

So when put 2 drops of your urine sample in the circular sample port on Day 1. 

If you get 2 bands and if the band near T is more (dark pink) than C, it indicates that there is a “LH surge” and value of your LH is very much more than 40 mIU/ml. 

Next day (Day 2) if you test your sample again, the Pink color next to T will be slightly more
darker as compared to C, so your LH value will be slightly more than 40 mIU/ml

On Day 3 if you test using your sample, the Pink colour line next to T will decrease and will appear same color as C. So your LH value will be 40 mIU/ml.

Next day Day 4 if you test your sample again, there will no pink colour next to T, only C will be present. So your LH value has become less than 40 mIU/ml. This indicates the test has turned negative, ovulation has started and no more testing is required.

These images are taken from a test performed on a woman’s urine sample and are to be used as guide only.

Kindly note each individual’s cycle is different and the test results may differ.

Days for testing
Most women ovulate about two weeks before the next period starts. So depending upon the length of your menstrual cycle (last day of previous period to 1st day of next period) you can check you first day of testing.

With a 28-day cycle, Ovulation occurs 10–16 days (14 days on average) before your period begins. ovulation will usually be on day 14 or 15. The beginning of testing will be three days before ovulation. so you have to start testing around day 10 or 11.

Ovulation tests may need to be done twice a day to avoid missing the peak
Luteinizing hormone, which is detected in the urine shortly before ovulation, peaks for different amounts of time and levels in different people. Sometimes, the peak time of luteinizing hormone is short and lasts only a couple of hours. To make sure you don’t miss the surge of the hormone, it may be helpful to take the test twice a day.

Continue doing the tests until the result is positive. Some instructions that will be of use.

  • It’s better to do the tests twice a day. Don’t take the test during your first pee of the morning.

  • Before taking a test, don’t drink a lot of water (this can dilute the test). Make sure not to urinate for about four hours before taking the test.

  • Follow the instructions closely.

  • Most ovulation tests include a booklet that will help you interpret the results. A positive result means that ovulation is likely to occur in 24–48 hours.


When to start testing with irregular cycles
Irregular cycles can make the timing a bit more complicated. For an irregular cycle, the best option is to look at the shortest cycle in the last six months. The calculations for an irregular cycle are typically the same as with a standard cycle.