← Blood tests
LH (in women)
Routine annualalso —
What it isA pituitary hormone that surges mid-cycle to trigger ovulation. Outside the surge, it sits at lower baseline levels.
DoesDrives ovulation and stimulates ovarian theca cells to produce androgens, which then aromatize to estradiol.
GoodCycle-appropriate baseline LH with a clean mid-cycle surge signals normal ovulatory.
BadPersistently elevated LH with an LH:FSH ratio above 2 is a hallmark of PCOS. High LH at menopause is expected.
- Standard
- Follicular 2–13; mid-cycle surge 14–96.
- Optimal
- 2–10 mIU/mL follicular (narrow target); LH:FSH ratio 0.8–1.2
- Modifiers
- Cycle phase dominates.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Address insulin resistance in PCOS (resistance training, weight loss); stress management.
- Diet
- Whole-food low-glycemic eating in PCOS; adequate calories.
- Supplements
- Inositol (myo + d-chiro, 2g 2×/day in PCOS), berberine, vitamin D3, omega-3.
- Peptides
- Kisspeptin-10 can trigger ovulation in fertility care.
- Drugs
- Clomiphene, letrozole for ovulation induction; metformin in PCOS.
Inositol (Myo / D-Chiro)Vitamin D3KisspeptinBerberineOmega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Women's Hormones