The test calculates the amount of unattached, or free, testosterone there is in the blood. Testosterone is made in the testes (in men) and the ovaries (in women) and a small amount by the adrenal glands. Testosterone in men helps bring the changes after puberty like hair and muscle growth, penis and testes growth, deepening of the voice, it boosts sex drive and helps make sperm. In women, it will help in many organs and body processes. This test is used to detect abnormal levels of testosterone. It is used to diagnose infertility, testicular tumours, ambiguous genitalia, erectile dysfunction, pituitary tumours in men, lack of menstruation, obesity, extra hair growth (especially on the face), and the appearance of masculine features in females, and it is an indicator for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It is recommended to: Detect an abnormal testosterone level in males and females. Analyse the causes of infertility in males and females. Diagnose the causes of erectile dysfunction in males. Check the cause of virilisation (masculine physical features) in females. Find out the cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Find the cause of ambiguous genitalia (genitals that are not male or female) in children. Find the cause of delayed or early puberty.
The testosterone-free test: Analyses the levels of free testosterone present in the blood. Testosterone is a sex hormone that is mainly found in men. It is also found in women but in small amounts. This testosterone helps in the development of male physical characteristics. In men, testosterone is produced by the Leydig cells, and it is present in the testicles. This is also produced by the adrenal glands present in both males and females. In females, very small amounts of testosterone are produced by the ovaries. The function of testosterone is to be developed by secondary sex characteristics, which include enlargement of the penis, body hair growth, development of muscle, and deepening of the voice. It is during puberty that it is produced in large amounts in males.In adult males, the function is to regulate the sex drive and maintain muscle mass. In adult females, testosterone is converted to estradiol, which is the main sex hormone in females.The amounts of testosterone are highest in the early morning and lowest in the evening. With the exercise, the levels of testosterone increase, and with age, the levels decrease. In the blood, about two-thirds of the testosterone hormone is bound to the sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and about one-third is bound to albumin. A very small amount is present as free testosterone.
The testosterone-free test is prescribed by your doctor after completing the assessment of your conditions.
8.69–54.69 pg/mL
This test requires a blood sample.
This test can be taken at any time during the day.
Fasting is not required for this test.
There are no specific precautions for this test.
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