Testosterone Total

Alternate Name: Testosterone_Tot

SAL Code:

1788

CPT:

84403

Loinc:

2986-8

Turn Around Time:

1 Day

Setup:

Daily

Units:

ng/dL

Department:

Endocrinology

Performing Laboratory:

Sherman Abrams Laboratory

Methodology:

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)

Specimen Requirements:

Primary Tube:

SST

Primary Substance:

Serum

Alternate Sample Info:

EDTA Lavender Top Tube

Temperature

Period

Stable Ambient:

5 Days

Stable Fridge:

14 Days

Stable Frozen:

6 Months

Rejection Criteria:

Improper labeling

Clinical Info:

This assay is designed for the quantitative determination of testosterone in human serum and plasma.
Measurements of testosterone may be used in the diagnosis and treatment of several disorders involving the male sex hormones (androgens), including but not limited to primary and secondary hypogonadism, delayed or precocious puberty, impotence, hypopituitarism, Klinefelter syndrome in male patients.
Testosterone levels may be requested for female patients to investigate the cause of hirsutism, anovulation, amenorrhea, virilization, masculinizing tumors of the ovary, tumors of the adrenal cortices, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (high values).
Testosterone levels in children may be helpful to investigate issues related to puberty and development as well as the aforementioned.
For female and prepubescent patients a more sensitive assay utilizing LC/MS-MS such as Testosterone, Free, Bio (Weakly Bound) and Total (SAL# 1001) is recommended.

Additional Information:

In males, testosterone is synthesized almost exclusively by the Leydig cells of the testes. The secretion of testosterone is regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH), and is subject to negative feedback via the pituitary and hypothalamus.
Testosterone promotes the development of the secondary sex characteristics in men and serves to maintain the function of the prostate and seminal vesicles. Most of the circulating testosterone is bound to carrier proteins (SHBG = sex hormone-binding globulin).
In females, small quantities of testosterone are formed in the ovaries. In physiological concentrations, androgens have no specific effects in women. Increased production of testosterone in females can cause virilization (depending on the increase and patient).

Sample Collection:

Collect patient samples using standard phlebotomy techniques. Click here for additional collection instructions.

Test Limitations:

A strong interaction with Nandrolone (INN international nonproprietary name) was found. Do not use samples from patients under Nandrolone treatment.
In isolated cases, elevated testosterone levels can be seen in samples from female patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).
Implausible elevated testosterone values in women should be verified by an extraction method or a validated LC-MS/MS tandem method.
In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. These effects are minimized by suitable test design.
For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.

Test Information:

Components: