Specimen Information

Type

Gold, SST

Volume

1.0 ml

Transport Info

Refrigerated
48 hour stability

Fasting Required?

False

Clinical Significance

The determination of testosterone in women is helpful in the diagnosis of androgenic syndrome (AGS), polycystic ovaries (Stein-Leventhal syndrome) and when a tumor or ovarian insufficiency is suspected. Testosterone is determined in men when reduced testosterone production is suspected, e.g. in hypogonadism, estrogen therapy, chromosome aberrations (as in the Klinefelter’s syndrome) and cirrhosis of the liver.

The androgen testosterone (17B-hydroxyandrostenone) has a molecular weight of 288 daltons. In men, the Leydig cells of the testes synthesize testosterone almost exclusively. The secretion of testosterone is regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH), and is subject to negative feedback via the pituitary and hypothalamus. Testosterone promotes the development of the secondary sex characteristics in men and serves to maintain the function of the prostate and seminal vesicles.Most of the circulating testosterone is bound to carrier proteins (SHBG = sex hormone-binding globulin).In women, small quantities of testosterone are formed in the ovaries. In physiological concentrations, androgens have no specific effects in women. Increased production of testosterone in women can cause virilization (depending on the increase).