Testosterone Test

Testosterone Test – Why am I having this test?

Testosterone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands in the abdomen in both males and females. In males, it is also made by the testicles. Starting at puberty, testosterone stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics in males. This includes a deeper voice, muscle and body hair growth, and penis enlargement.

In females, testosterone is also produced in the ovaries. The female body converts testosterone into estradiol, the main female sex hormone.

An abnormal level of testosterone can cause health issues in both males and females. You may have this test if your health care provider suspects that an abnormal testosterone level is causing or contributing to other health problems.

In males, an abnormally low testosterone level can cause:

  • Inability to have children (infertility).
  • Trouble getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).
  • Delayed puberty.

In females, an abnormally high testosterone level can cause:

  • Infertility.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Development of masculine features (virilization).

What is being tested?

This test measures the amount of total testosterone in your blood.

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel. The sample is most often collected in the morning because that is when testosterone is usually the highest.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as a value that indicates how much testosterone is in your blood. This will be given as nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood (ng/dL).

Your health care provider will compare your test results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common reference ranges for total testosterone are:

  • Male:
    • 7 months to 9 years old: less than 30 ng/dL.
    • 10–13 years old: less than 300 ng/dL.
    • 14–15 years old: 170–540 ng/dL.
    • 16–19 years old: 250–910 ng/dL.
    • 20 years and older: 280–1,080 ng/dL.
  • Female:
    • 7 months to 9 years old: less than 30 ng/dL.
    • 10–13 years old: less than 40 ng/dL.
    • 14–15 years old: less than 60 ng/dL.
    • 16–19 years old: less than 70 ng/dL.
    • 20 years and older: less than 70 ng/dL.

What do the results mean?

A result that is within your reference range means that you have a normal amount of testosterone in your blood.

In males:

  • A high testosterone level may mean that you:
    • Have certain types of tumors.
    • Have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
    • Currently use anabolic steroids or used anabolic steroids in the past.
    • Have an inherited disorder that affects the adrenal glands (congenital adrenal hyperplasia).
    • Are starting puberty early (precocious puberty).
  • A low testosterone level may mean that you:
    • Have certain genetic diseases.
    • Have had certain viral infections, such as mumps.
    • Have a condition that affects the pituitary gland.
    • Have injured your testicles.

In females:

  • A high testosterone level may mean that you have:
    • Certain types of tumors, such as ovarian or adrenal gland tumors.
    • An inherited disorder that affects certain cells in the adrenal glands (congenital adrenal hyperplasia).
    • Polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • A low testosterone level usually will not cause health problems.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

  • When will my results be ready?
  • How will I get my results?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What other tests do I need?
  • What are my next steps?

Summary

  • Testosterone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands in the abdomen in both males and females. In males, it is also made by the testicles. Starting at puberty, testosterone stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics in males.
  • In females, testosterone is also produced in the ovaries. The female body converts testosterone into estradiol, the main female sex hormone.
  • An abnormal level of testosterone can cause health issues in both males and females. You may have this test if your health care provider suspects that an abnormal testosterone level is causing or contributing to other health problems.
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