Test Description

The total testosterone test measures testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood (e.g., albumin and sex-hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) as well as testosterone that is not bound. The test may be used to evaluate decreased sex drive in men and women, erectile dysfunction in men, infertility in men and women, testicular tumors in men, hypothalamus or pituitary disorders, and hirsutism and virilization in girls and women.

When should this test be ordered?
In men, testosterone is produced almost exclusively by the Leydig cells of the testes, and the secretion is regulated by LH and subject to negative feedback via the pituitary and hypothalamus. In women, small quantities of testosterone are formed in the ovaries. Increased production can cause virilization.
High Risk · Male: <= 8.99 (ng/dL) & >= 30.01 (ng/dL); Female: <= 0.29 (ng/dL) & >= 2 (ng/dL)
In men and women, use to evaluate low libido, and in women high values can cause virilization (depending on the amount of increase). Hypopituitary conditions may also add to abnormal levels. In post-menopausal women testosterone may have dropped by 50% of normal.
Borderline Risk ·
None determined for these assays.
Low Risk · Male: 9-30 (ng/dL); Female: 0.3-1.99 (ng/dL)
Within Reference Range
Testing Method Used
Competitive binding
Sample is stable for 7 days at 2-8°C
Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
For men, your medical provider may suggest prescription testosterone supplementation to increase your blood levels and alleviate symptoms.
For women, there is no FDA-approved medication to increase testosterone to enhance libido. However, your physician may prescribe a low-dose testosterone product.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be done with other tests that requires fasting.
Drawing and Processing
  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tubetube1
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly hemolyzed or lipemic; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen.
References

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