What is LHRH test?

, , Leave a comment

LHRH or Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone test is a type of laboratory test that can check the health of the pituitary gland. This gland is one of many important glands in the brain because it produces other hormones like gonadotropins which are essential for sexual development. When there is a problem with the pituitary gland, this will become apparent using the LHRH test. Results of this test may indicate an over or under-functioning pituitary gland resulting to imbalances in the production of gonadotropins like the LH or luteinizing hormone and the FSH or follicle stimulating hormone in females.

Through the LHRH test, it will be known if the pituitary gland is secreting enough luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in the body. These hormones are vital in the development of sexual organs in both males and females. The male gonads or testes and the female gonads or ovaries need stimulation and support by various hormones including those that are secreted and produced by the pituitary gland. In order to check if there is enough production of gonadotropins, a LHRH test may be prescribed by doctors. Problems indicated in the LHRH test results may mean that there are some abnormalities in gonad development which could lead to very early puberty for kids and possible infertility later in life.

When a person is advised to take the LHRH test, he/she is typically advised to fast on the night before the laboratory test. Most clinics allow food and drinks before midnight and from then on, no food intake is allowed. Once the patient is ready, blood will be extracted in the morning to get the baseline level of gonadotropins like LH and FSH. After the baseline sample, patients will then be injected with LHRH and succeeding blood samples will then be extracted after about 30 minutes and an hour. Once the tests are done, the results will be evaluated in terms of pituitary gland function. In many cases, other tests may also be prescribed by doctors to fully check the pituitary gland and the patient’s hormonal levels.

Tea Time Quiz

[forminator_poll id="23176"]
 

Leave a Reply