Testosterone Test
Tapping into
Hormone Health with
Testosterone
Test
A testosterone
test is a blood test that measures the level of the hormone testosterone in the
person’s blood. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is present in
low quantities in females. The hormone plays a crucial role in various
physiological functions. The test is often used to diagnose and monitor
conditions that might be related to increased or decreased levels of
testosterone in both men and women. The test provides diagnosis and
understanding of various disorders such as hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction
and sexual health issues, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and
monitoring the levels of testosterone during hormone replacement therapy. In
some cases, the test is also used to monitor testosterone levels to evaluate
the cause of irregular menstrual periods in women.
Overview of the Key Factors of the Testosterone Test:
Types of Testosterone:
The test
measures two primary types of testosterone in the blood. Total testosterone
measures the overall amount of testosterone in the blood - both bound to
protein and its free form. Free testosterone measures the amount of unbound,
biologically active testosterone. Normal testosterone levels for adult males is
in the range of 270 to 1070 ng/dl and normal range of testosterone in adult
females is significantly lower as compared to males and is in the range of 15
to 70 ng/dL. High or low testosterone levels can be indicative of several
underlying medical conditions and can suggest a need for further assessment
such as hormone replacement therapy.
Procedure:
●
In most cases, no prior
preparation is needed but the healthcare provider may give some instructions
depending on the reason for the test.
●
During the test, a tourniquet
is tied to the arm of the patient to clearly visualize the vein. The
phlebotomist or nurse will sterilize the area using an antiseptic solution.
●
The needle is then inserted in
the vein in the area that has been cleaned and a blood sample is then
collected.
●
A bandage is then applied to
the area of venipuncture to prevent any further bleeding.
●
The blood sample is collected
in a special tube which is then labelled with the patient data and is sent to
the laboratory for further analysis.
●
The sample is centrifuged to
separate serum from the cellular components and the levels of testosterone are
assessed in the serum using specialized assay.
●
The results of the hormone test
are available within a few days or weeks depending on the laboratory’s
processing time.
● Healthcare providers will then interpret the testosterone levels taking into consideration the patient's clinical history and specific needs.
Benefits:
●
Provides accurate diagnosis of
hypogonadism, a condition where testes and ovaries don’t produce enough
testosterone
●
Helps in monitoring levels in
patients undergoing hormone replacement therapy
●
Provides insights into
potential causes of male fertility such as low testosterone levels
●
Helps in assessing the progress
of puberty in adolescents
●
Helps healthcare providers in
creating tailored treatment plans to assess specific symptoms or conditions
related to testosterone levels
●
Plays an important role in
assessing male and female fertility potential and guiding decisions about
fertility treatments
Precautions to Be Taken for Testosterone Test:
Patients must inform their healthcare providers about any medications or supplements that they are currently taking as these can interfere with the testosterone levels. Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day so the healthcare provider might schedule the test on a specific time, so patients must ensure they maintain that time. In most cases, fasting is not required however it is important to follow instructions if given. Patients must avoid alcohol or caffeine 24 hours prior to the test as these can temporarily affect the hormone levels. Patients must also avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, and excessive water intake before the test. Patients must let their healthcare provider know if they are taking any medications or undergoing hormone replacement therapy to ensure accurate assessment of the levels.
