HL is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, a gland located at the base of the brain. It acts as a chemical messenger, triggering processes necessary for sexual development and reproduction.

How is HL produced?

• Hypothalamus : Produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the pituitary to secrete HL into the blood.
• Regulation system : The release of HL is controlled by a feedback system involving hormones like estrogen and testosterone, maintaining an optimal balance.

In Children and During Puberty :

1. Childhood : LH levels remain low during early childhood.
2. Puberty : Around 8-13 years of age in girls and 9-14 years of age in boys, LH increases, stimulating the production of estrogens in girls and testosterone in boys. This causes the physical changes of puberty, such as breast development, body hair growth, voice deepening, and muscle mass.

Role of NHL in Women

Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle :

• Promotes the growth of ovarian follicles in the early stages of the cycle.
• Stimulates estrogen production to prepare the body for pregnancy.

Ovulation :

• A peak in LH in the middle of the cycle triggers ovulation, releasing a mature egg from the ovary.

Pregnancy Support :

• After ovulation, LH helps form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, which is essential for preparing the uterine lining for the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Role of LH in men

1. Testosterone production :
   • Stimulates Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone, which is essential for the development of male characteristics, such as facial hair and muscle mass.
2. Spermatogenesis :
   • Promotes the production of healthy and mobile sperm, which are necessary for fertility.

Role of LH in men

1. Testosterone production :
   • Stimulates Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone, which is essential for the development of male characteristics, such as facial hair and muscle mass.
2. Spermatogenesis :
   • Promotes the production of healthy and mobile sperm, which are necessary for fertility.

Blood tests:

• Measure the concentration of LH in the blood. They are often included in hormonal and reproductive panels.

Urine tests:

• Used to detect the LH peak, indicative of ovulation, especially for women seeking to conceive.

Test preparation:

1. Tell your doctor what medications and supplements you are taking. Some may influence LH levels.
2. Women should take the test at a specific point in the menstrual cycle, often around day 3 or in the middle of the cycle.
3. Avoid radioactive isotopes before testing if you have recently had nuclear medicine exams.

Women:

• Follicular phase : 1.37 to 9 IU/L
• Ovulatory peak : 6.17 to 17.2 IU/L
• Luteal phase : 1.09 to 9.2 IU/L
• Post-menopause : 19.3 to 100.6 IU/L

Men:

• Adults (>18 years) : 1.42 to 15.4 IU/L

Children:

• Before puberty (1-10 years) : 0.03 to 3.9 IU/L

Note: Ranges may vary by lab.

‍High LH levels

For women:

• Anovulation : Indicates the absence of ovulation.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) : Associated with irregular cycles and high LH levels.
• Menopause : High levels are common after ovarian function decreases.
• Ovarian hypofunction : An ovary that produces few or no hormones.

For men:

• Testicular dysfunction : Conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome or anorchia (absence of testicles).

For children:

• Precocious puberty : Premature onset of secondary sexual characteristics.

Low LH levels

For women:

• Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea : Caused by excessive exercise or stress.

For men:

• Hypopituitarism : Insufficiency of the pituitary to produce hormones.
• Kallmann syndrome : Delays or prevents puberty.

For children:

• Delayed puberty : Delay in the appearance of signs of puberty.

1. Feeding:
   • Eat foods that are rich in essential nutrients, such as omega-3, zinc, and magnesium.
   • Limit processed foods that are high in sugar.
2. Exercice :
   • Maintenez une activité physique régulière mais évitez les excès, qui peuvent perturber l’équilibre hormonal.
3. Gestion du Stress :
   • Utilisez des techniques de relaxation, comme le yoga ou la méditation, pour réduire le stress.
4. Mode de Vie :
   • Maintenez un poids santé, car le surpoids ou l’insuffisance pondérale peuvent influencer les niveaux de LH.
   • Minimisez l’exposition aux perturbateurs endocriniens présents dans les plastiques et les pesticides.

Tests Complémentaires pour des Résultats Précis

1. Tests Hormonaux :
   • LH et FSH : Évaluer ensemble ces hormones pour une vue globale de la santé reproductive.
   • Testostérone : Vérifier les niveaux chez les hommes pour des problèmes de fertilité.
2. Imagerie :
   • Échographie : Visualiser les ovaires ou les testicules pour détecter des anomalies.
   • IRM : Identifier d’éventuelles tumeurs hypophysaires.
3. Tests Génétiques :
   • Recommandés en cas de suspicion de syndromes génétiques comme Klinefelter ou Turner.

Prochaines Étapes :

1. Consultez un Médecin : Discutez de vos résultats pour un diagnostic précis et des recommandations adaptées.
2. Outils en Ligne : Utilisez des plateformes comme Docus AI pour une interprétation personnalisée.
3. Plan d’Action : Adoptez un mode de vie sain pour soutenir un équilibre hormonal optimal.