TESTING > TOTAL TESTOSTERONE
TOTAL TESTOSTERONE
- It is the chief male hormone.
- Use this test to evaluate hirsutism and masculinization in women; evaluate testicular function in clinical states where the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders). Testosterone plays a most important role in heart muscle health, female libido, and lean muscle mass development and maintenance.
- Additional Information: In males, testosterone may be normal or decreased in hypopituitarism, including selective gonadotropin deficiency (eg, Kallmann syndrome). It may be decreased with hepatic cirrhosis, estrogen therapy, and with severe obesity. Low testosterone and high LH are encountered with renal failure and in malnutrition. It is decreased with excessive alcohol intake. Testosterone is usually increased in precocious puberty, related to idiopathic or CNS lesion, or to adrenal tumors or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Testosterone exists in serum, both as free and bound. Unbound (free) testosterone is the active moiety. Free as well as total testosterone is measured together in our assays.
- Values obtained with different assay methods should not be used interchangeably.