---
title: "What does a low LH mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lh/low"
biomarker: LH
direction: low
reference_range:
  - "Male, age 18+: 1.70 – 8.60 mIU/mL"
  - "Female, age 18+, varies by cycle phase: 1.90 – 12.5 mIU/mL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# What does a low LH mean?

> Low LH mirrors low FSH: the pituitary or hypothalamus isn't driving the gonads. Hormonal contraception, low body weight, eating disorders, heavy exercise, stress, high prolactin, opioids, anabolic steroids and pituitary disease are the causes. Testosterone therapy suppresses LH in men, which is why it's checked before therapy starts.


## What is the normal range for LH?

- Male, age 18+: 1.70 – 8.60 mIU/mL
- Female, age 18+, varies by cycle phase: 1.90 – 12.5 mIU/mL



## What are the common causes of low LH?

1. Hormonal contraception, testosterone therapy, anabolic steroids
2. Low body weight, eating disorders, over-exercise
3. High prolactin, hypothyroidism
4. Pituitary disorders, opioids, glucocorticoids

## What symptoms go with low LH?

- Absent periods or low testosterone symptoms
- Infertility

## What do clinicians usually check next?

- FSH, estradiol/testosterone, prolactin, TSH
- Pituitary evaluation when unexplained

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) ($26.99), [TSH + Free T4](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh-with-free-t4) ($27.99), [FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fsh) ($29.99), [Estradiol (E2)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/estradiol) ($35.99), [Prolactin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/prolactin) ($39.99).

## How do you recheck LH?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Women's Fertility Essentials](https://www.test-well.com/tests/female-fertility-panel) | Panel (5 tests) | $119.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [Menopause Assessment Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/menopause-panel) | Panel (8 tests) | $179.99 | No | 2–4 business days |
| [Women's Hormone Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-hormone-panel) | Panel (11 tests) | $239.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| [LH (Luteinizing Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/luteinizing-hormone) | Test | $36.99 | No | 1–3 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### Why is LH checked before starting testosterone?

Because testosterone therapy suppresses LH and FSH, making the cause of low testosterone impossible to determine afterward — and impairing fertility.

## Related

- [What does a high LH mean?](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lh/high)
- [LH reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lh)
- [Total Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-testosterone)
- [Free Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/free-testosterone)
- [SHBG reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/shbg)

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8663)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lh/low
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.