Which type of sample is typically used for testing Luteinizing Hormone?

The appropriate sample type for testing Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is serum. When measuring hormonal levels like LH, serum is preferred because it provides a stable and concentrated medium for accurate hormonal assessment. Serum is derived from whole blood after it has clotted and the cells are removed, which means it contains the liquid portion where hormones circulate. This liquid component is essential for testing because hormones such as LH are present in higher concentrations in serum than they might be in other sample types.

Other sample types, while useful for various other tests, do not offer the same reliability for LH measurements. For example, while whole blood contains all components of blood, it may dilute the hormone concentration due to the presence of cells. Plasma, while it can also be used for certain tests, is not the standard for LH testing; plasma is collected in anticoagulant tubes which can potentially lead to variability in hormone levels due to the prevention of clotting. Urine can be used for some hormone tests; however, it is less reliable for measuring LH because it may not accurately reflect the levels of the hormone in the body at a given moment. Therefore, serum is the most suitable choice for testing Luteinizing Hormone levels effectively.