Description
Synonyms:
FSH and LH
LH and FSH
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - is produced in and released from the anterior pituitary gland under hypothalamic control. In women, it promotes maturation of the ovarian follicle, which produces estrogen. As estrogen levels rise, luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced. Together, FSH and LH induce ovulation. In men, FSH stimulates spermatogenesis. In addition, it increases the sensitivity of testicular Leydig cells to LH, which, in turn, controls testosterone production. FSH aids in the differential diagnosis of hypogonadism, infertility, menstrual disorders and various other age-related conditions.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)- The primary clinical use of LH measurement is in evaluating the normalcy of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Measurement of serum gonadotropin levels will allow for distinguishing between primary gonadal failure and deficient gonadal stimulation. LH measurement may also be of clinical importance because growth hormone and LH are frequently the first hormones to be affected by pituitary disease. The serum analysis of LH has also been found to be very useful in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in women.