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Test Code TESTO Testosterone, Total

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Testosterone, Total

Testosterone, Total

Methodology

Chemiluminescence Competitive immunoassay

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Standard phlebotomy practices.

Specimen Requirements

Container

Specimen Type

Tube

Serum

 or 

Stability

Storage

Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

18-28°C

Not recommended

Refrigerated

 2-8°C

≤ 7 days

Frozen

≤-20 °C

4 weeks

Thaw 1 time only

Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Turbid Specimens

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reported in ng/dL

 

Low

High

0 to 6 Months Male

8.0

642

6 Months to 12 Years Male

 

46.1

12 to 15 Years Male

10.4

717

15 to 19 Years Male

117

782

Normal Male (19-49 Years)

132

813

Normal Male (>49 Years)

71.8

623

 

 

 

0 to 6 Months Female

5.5

401

6 Months to 12 Years Female

 

46.1

12 to 19 Years Female

15.3

63.7

Females with normal menstrual cycles (19-150 Y)

5.7

77.0

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • Ortho reports a bias with the following:
    • Biotin can cause a biased result
    • Bilirubin >10 mg/dL may cause a positive bias

Useful For

Testosterone is produced by the adrenals, the theca cells in the ovary and the Leydig cells in the testes. As much as 97% of circulating testosterone is bound to serum proteins such as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In the male, testosterone stimulates the maturation of genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics, and its measurement is used to investigate sexual dysfunction in juveniles and adults. In female’s testosterone concentrations are much lower and an elevated concentration may indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome among other conditions. Clinical symptoms of testosterone excess in females include infertility, amenorrhea, obesity and hirsutism.