Testosterone is a hormone, one of the chemicals your child's body produces to regulate the development and function of his heart, blood vessels, bones, muscles and other body tissues. A child's testosterone level triggers the development of gender-specific characteristics like body and facial hair, genitals and voice quality. Although it's popularly known as the male hormone, testosterone plays a role in sexual function in both males and females.
Testosterone Production
Your child's pituitary gland initiates and regulates the amount of testosterone in her body. When she has too little testosterone in her blood, the pituitary releases luteinizing hormone, or LH. LH, in turn, signals her adrenal gland and ovaries to produce more testosterone. In boys, LH triggers testosterone release from the adrenal gland and testicles.
Blood Test
Your child's doctor will order a blood testosterone level from a medical laboratory if she's concerned about testosterone production. According to Lab Tests Online, there's no special preparation for this simple blood test.
Testosterone in Boys
Testosterone levels are lowest during childhood and start to rise at the beginning of puberty, according to MayoClinic.com. A male infant typically has less than 30 nanograms/deciliter, or ng/dL, in his blood, says the University of Michigan Health System. Teens between the ages of 14 and 15 years should produce enough testosterone for a blood level of 8 to 53 ng/dL of testosterone, while those between 16 and 19 years average between 200 and 970 ng/dL.
Testosterone in Girls
The University of Michigan Health System's list normal lab values shows that a female infant should have less than 10 ng/dL of testosterone in her blood. Between 7 and 9 years of age, girls average between 1 and 12 ng/dL, and from 10 to 13 years of age, a female should have a testosterone level of 2 to 33 ng/dL. Adolescent females between the ages of 14 and 17 typically have 8 to 53 ng/dL of testosterone in the blood.
Indications
A pediatrician may want to check a boy's testosterone levels if she believes he is showing signs of precocious, or early, puberty. Testosterone levels can also help pinpoint the cause of delayed puberty in boys. If a girl has excess body or facial hair or develops other male-linked characteristics, her physician may recommend a lab test to measure her level of testosterone.
Considerations
Your child's doctor will review the youngster's medical history when evaluating testosterone levels. According to Lab Tests Online, drugs such as steroids can lower testosterone levels. Drugs used to treat seizures and barbiturates can elevate blood testosterone levels.
