Free and Total Testosterone Test

What is a free and total testosterone test?

The testes produce the male hormone testosterone. During puberty in males, this hormone is responsible for the growth of secondary sexual characteristics. Women develop muscles, bones, and healthy organs depending on testosterone. The level of testosterone in females is lower. In the body, testosterone can be found in a free and combined state. The majority of testosterone is found in combination with proteins. The purpose of these proteins is to keep the body's level of active testosterone stable. A LH test for total testosterone counts free and testosterone bound to proteins. The most typical kind of test is this one. There are some circumstances where the generation of free and total testosterone hormones is compromised, resulting in many health problems. A free testosterone test detects only the active or unbound type of testosterone. Although less frequent, luteinizing hormone test may help diagnose specific medical disorders.

When does the doctor recommend the free and total testosterone Test?

The doctor may recommend this test

• To diagnose problems like a decrease in libido(decreased sex drive)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Polycystic ovarian disease
• Females having menstrual problems
• In case of infertility
• Monitor patients having treatment for infertility
• In females having difficulty in pregnancy
• To detect specific adrenal cortex cancer

What are the components of the free and total testosterone test?

It is a blood test that can be done alone or with another routine test.

How do you read the report of the free and total testosterone test?

The normal range in adult men:

• Men between ages (19 to 49 ) 249 - 836 ng/dL
• Men between ages ( 50 and above) 193 - 740 ng/dL

The normal range in adult women:

• Women between ages (19 to 49) 8 - 48 ng/dL
• Women between the ages (50 and above) 2 - 41 ng/dL
• Higher or lower than average affects testosterone production.
• Higher than normal levels indicates tumour on the ovaries or testes.

What are the prerequisites for the free and total testosterone test?

• No special preparations are required.
• The sample is collected from the vein.
• The test can be done in the morning because testosterone levels tend to be the highest.
• The test will be reported on the same day.
• Certain medications may affect the normal level range. Consult the treating doctor before getting the test done.