Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

In both men and women, testosterone is released on a daily cycle, with levels peaking in the morning and tapering throughout the day. Entering into the circulation, testosterone is carried through the body by a carrier molecule, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Testosterone can convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the enzyme 5alpha-reductase. DHT is more potent than testosterone, and because of this, there are targeted therapies to inhibit the 5alpha-reductase enzyme and thus lower DHT levels.

Conditions include hypogonadism, which occurs when the testes produce less testosterone than normal. Identifying hormonal imbalances can help improve overall male health and prevent long-term complications. Finally, slightly low readings in middle-aged and older men don’t consistently correlate with symptoms. And the measured total testosterone levels can vary from test to test and from lab to lab. For people with borderline-low testosterone levels, a repeat test would show a normal range about 30% of the time. In women or anyone with ovaries, abnormal testosterone levels can indicate excess testosterone produced by the ovaries or other glands that produce hormones.

This test offers a more detailed view by providing the amount of testosterone that is not bound and is freely available for use by the body, in addition to the total testosterone levels. Total testosterone is a measurement of both the free testosterone and the testosterone that is attached to proteins in the blood. Testosterone can be viewed as a vital marker for health, affecting sexual function, cognition, bone density, and more. Therefore, testing testosterone levels when indicated may provide insight and offer a pathway to addressing bothersome symptoms. Blood testing of testosterone should be done in the morning during the peak release and should be done at the same time in subsequent blood draws.

The tubes are labeled with your identification and sent to the lab for testing. When you first receive the kit, you will register on a secure website with the manufacturer. Once the sample has been processed, the results will be returned via the website, usually within a few days. Excess testosterone in male children can lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of nine. However, when you hear people use the term “anabolic steroids” they are generally referring to synthetic (made in a lab) variations of testosterone that are injected into your body. The kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and excrete it in urine. Therefore, the creatinine blood test provides information about kidney function.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance. If at any time you feel like you are having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1. Quest does not currently support lab testing at your location. If you have questions about the testosterone test or what the results of the test mean, talk to your doctor. It’s designed to be taken at home and we’ve included detailed instructions to help you through the process. We’ll also break down your results into simple, easy-to-understand language, so you’ll learn where you stand and how you can improve your heart health.

If they’re consistently high or low, you may experience unpleasant symptoms worth discussing with your provider. In women, the ovaries account for half of the testosterone in the body. Women have a much smaller amount of testosterone in their bodies compared to men.

There is a link between low testosterone and sex drive and fertility across the sex spectrum. You will receive your request form and sample tubes in the post to give to the phlebotomist. Select a location, time, and date that suits you for a venous blood draw. You can either visit a clinic or have a nurse come to a place that suits you, such as your home. We get a complete picture of your health to make sure we provide the most suitable treatment for you. Once your blood test is complete, our expert TRT doctors will review your results and discuss the best course of action during a consultation.

The Testosterone Total test measures the testosterone levels and the cause of infertility in males. If you are struggling with infertility, erectile dysfunction, or low sex drive, you must consult with your doctor and take a Testosterone test. Book your testosterone hormone test with Redcliffe Labs for accurate Serum Total Testosterone Test results.