Total Testosterone. Prices, Reviews, Ratings
Testosterone (TSN) – the primary and most active androgen, synthesized in men mainly by Leydig cells in the testes. In women, 50% is produced in peripheral organs and tissues, with the remaining 25% each from ovaries and adrenal cortex.
Testosterone (TSN) – the primary and most active androgen, synthesized in men mainly by Leydig cells in the testes. In women, 50% is produced in peripheral organs and tissues, with the remaining 25% each from ovaries and adrenal cortex.
This hormone circulates in the bloodstream free (up to 3%) and bound to globulin, with 35-40% as albumin complexes.
Reference values (nmol/L):
- Men – 8.7-38.17;
- Women – 0.52-2.44;
- Pregnant women – 3 times women’s norm;
- Newborns: boys – 2.5-13.9, girls – 0.7-2.21.
Indications for Total Testosterone Testing
TSN affects fetal male genital formation, male sexual orientation, and normal genital function.
Testing is conducted for androgen production enzymatic dysfunctions, female virilization, kidney/ovarian tumors, Klinefelter syndrome, hypopituitarism, and to assess puberty and infertility in both sexes.
How Is Total Testosterone Determined?
For accurate results, patients must diet the day before, avoiding medications and alcohol. Blood is drawn fasting mornings (8-10 AM), after abstaining from physical and sexual activity.
Since testosterone follows a circadian rhythm and fluctuates, blood is ideally drawn 3 times within 60 minutes, interpreting a mixed sample.
Common methods for total TSN determination include:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) with hormone pre-extraction and specific monoclonal antibodies;
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with labels and readers for signal detection;
- Fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) and chemiluminescence (CLIA) using europium (Eu) as a marker with fluorimeter data processing, or luminol/acridine luminescence with luminometer signal registration;
- Mass spectrometry with high-resolution liquid chromatographs.
Total testosterone varies even in normal conditions, requiring data correlation. Not all methods detect low TSN in women and children, where high-sensitivity mass spectrometers are used.
Completion Time for Total Testosterone Testing
The complex procedure—sample collection, preparation, processing, and evaluation—includes incubation and centrifugation, taking at least 2-3 hours.
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