LH (in women)

Routine annual

also —

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.

within Women's Hormones