Testosterone is the primary sexual hormone in males, with responsibility for the proper formation of the various components of the male sexual system. It also plays a vital role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle mass and deepening voice. You can get your testosterone levels checked with a simple blood test.
Testosterone Basics
Males produce most of their testosterone in their testes, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus. Females produce some testosterone in their ovaries. If you are an adult male, you may undergo testosterone testing to uncover the causes of infertility or impotence. Boys may undergo testosterone testing to uncover the causes of early or late onset of puberty. Women may undergo testosterone testing to determine the causes of an irregular menstrual cycle, as well as the causes of male body characteristics or excessive hair growth.
Blood Sampling
Blood samples for testosterone tests are usually drawn from a vein on the back of your hand or inside of your elbow, Medline Plus reports. This blood is held in an airtight tube or vial and sent to a laboratory for analysis. If your child or infant requires a testosterone test, a doctor or technician will draw blood after puncturing the skin with a sharp, needle-like device called a lancet. After collection, this blood is placed on a test strip or slide, or held in a glass tube called a pipette.
Normal Ranges
Normal ranges for testosterone in men range from 300 to 1,200 ng/dL, MedlinePlus explains. Normal ranges for testosterone in women range from 30 to 95 ng/dL. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry's Lab Tests Online lists reasons for this broad range of acceptable values that include natural variations and changes associated with age and level of sexual maturity. Various testing laboratories may also have slight differences in testing criteria when determining which results fall inside or outside the normal range.
Abnormal Results
If you are male, abnormally low testosterone levels may indicate the presence of a number of medical conditions, Lab Tests Online reports. Examples include testicular damage, the presence of disease in your pituitary gland or an area of your brain called the hypothalamus, and the presence of genetic disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome or myotonic dystrophy. Women normally have low testosterone. The presence of increased testosterone in women may indicate the presence of conditions such as adrenal gland or ovarian tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome or congenital adrenocortical hyperplasia. Increased testosterone in men can indicate conditions such as adrenal or testicular tumors, an overactive thyroid or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Increased male testosterone may also be a symptom of anabolic steroid use.
Considerations
Testosterone testing carries a slight risk for complications, such as infection, excessive bleeding, fainting or formation of a blood bruise, or hematoma, MedlinePlus notes. If you have small veins, you may have difficulties providing an adequate sample. In some cases, doctors may use additional testing procedures to uncover ailments related to low or elevated testosterone.
