The Testosterone, Total, Males (Adult) Only test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.
Please note: If Testosterone, Total, Males (Adult) Only #873 is ordered for a pediatric or female patient, the lab will automatically change the test to and charge for Testosterone, Total, MS #15983.
Description: Testosterone, Total, Male is a blood test used to detect abnormal levels of testosterone in male patients, diagnose causes of erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Also Known As: Total Testosterone Test, Testosterone Total Test, Male Testosterone Test, Testosterone Male Test, Testosterone Test
Collection Method: Blood Draw
Specimen Type: Serum
Test Preparation: No preparation required
This test is for male patients 18 years of age and older only. Pediatric and Female patients will need to order Testosterone, Total, MS #15983.
Due to changes in testosterone levels throughout the day, two morning (8:00-10:00 a.m.) specimens obtained on different days are recommended by The Endocrine Society for screening.
This test can report a value up to 3000 ng/dL. any number >3000 will be stated as >3000.
When is a Testosterone Total Male test ordered?
When infertility is suspected, or when a man has decreased sex drive or erectile difficulties, a testosterone test may be ordered. Other signs include a lack of beard and body hair, a loss of muscle mass, and the formation of breast tissue. Low total and bioavailable testosterone levels have also been linked to, or caused by, increased visceral fat, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
What does a Testosterone Total Male blood test check for?
In men, testosterone is the primary sex hormone. It's in charge of a man's physical appearance. This test determines the amount of testosterone in a person's blood.
Testosterone is primarily produced in the male testicles by unique endocrine tissue called Leydig cells. It's made by the adrenal glands in males.
In males, testosterone promotes the formation of secondary sex characteristics such as penis size, body hair growth, muscle development, and a deeper voice. It is abundant in males during adolescence and adulthood in order to regulate sex drive and preserve muscle mass.
The pituitary gland produces luteinizing hormone, which stimulates and regulates testosterone synthesis. Testosterone functions in a negative feedback loop: when testosterone levels rise, LH production falls, slowing testosterone production; lower testosterone levels cause higher LH production, which promotes testosterone production.
Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, increasing in the early morning hours and dropping in the evening. Levels rise after activity and fall as people get older.
About two-thirds of testosterone is attached to sex-hormone binding globulin in the bloodstream, with the remaining one-third bound to albumin. Only a small percentage of testosterone is released into the bloodstream as free testosterone. The bioavailable fraction is the free plus albumin-bound testosterone, which can act on target tissues.
In many circumstances, measuring total testosterone is sufficient information for a healthcare provider. A test for free or bioavailable testosterone may be performed in some circumstances, such as when the level of SHBG is abnormal, as it may more accurately indicate the presence of a medical issue.
Lab tests often ordered with a Testosterone Total Male test:
- Estradiol
- Dihydrotestosterone
- FSH
- LH
- Estrogens
- Estriol
- Estrone
- Albumin
- Prolactin
- Anti-mullerian Hormone
- Androstenedione
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Conditions where a Testosterone Total Male test is recommended:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Alcoholism
- Mumps
- Hypothalamic disease
- Pituitary disease
- Infertility
- Liver disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Eating disorders
- Pregnancy
- Cushing Syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Testicular cancer
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Commonly Asked Questions:
How is this test used by my health care provider?
In men, testosterone testing is used to identify a variety of problems. Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males, and it is responsible for masculine physical traits. It is produced mostly by the testicles.
The testosterone test can be used to determine whether or not you're experiencing:
- Decreases sex drive
- Men's erectile dysfunction
- Male infertility
- Tumors of the testicles in men
- Disorders of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
A testosterone total test is usually used to diagnose a condition. The free and total testosterone test distinguishes between testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood and testosterone that is not attached to proteins.
About two-thirds of testosterone is tied to SHBG in the blood, with the remaining one-third attached to albumin. Free testosterone circulates in a tiny percentage. Bioavailable testosterone is made up of free testosterone and testosterone bound to albumin, and it can operate on target tissues.
A test for free or bioavailable testosterone may be performed in some circumstances, such as when the level of SHBG is abnormal, as it may more accurately indicate the presence of a medical issue.
Other tests and hormone levels may be performed in conjunction with testosterone testing, depending on the reason for testing. Here are a few examples:
- FSH
- LH
- Estrogen
- Estradiol
- SHBG
- DHEA-S
- Prolactin
- Androstenedione
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone
What does my testosterone test result mean?
Testosterone levels often begin to fall after the age of 30. Testosterone levels may drop more in obese or chronically unwell men, as well as with the use of certain drugs.
Hypogonadism can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Pituitary or hypothalamic illness
- Reduced testosterone production in young males can be caused by genetic disorders
- Possible infertility or testicular failure
- Acquired damage to the testes, such as from drinking, physical injury, or viral infections like mumps, reduces testosterone production.
- Diabetes
Healthcare practitioners may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to men who have consistently low testosterone levels and associated signs and symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved testosterone supplements to improve strength, sports performance, or avoid aging disorders. It's possible that using it for these purposes is dangerous.
Increased testosterone levels in men can mean one of several things:
- Tumors of the testicles
- Testosterone-producing tumors in the adrenal glands
- Use of anabolic steroids
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.
