Simple and quick medical test to confirm whether men and women have a healthy mix of hormones, the testosterone test is a hormone that is responsible for anything from muscle and mood to sex drive and fertility. Abnormal low and high values can signal health problems. This brochure explains why you would get a testosterone test, what your test result will indicate, preparation, and what low testosterone symptoms would make your doctor order the test. If you are worried about having low energy or being unable to have a child, it is worth finding out how much testosterone you have.
What is a Testosterone Test?
Testosterone test, or testosterone hormone test, or blood test for testosterone is a blood test to find out the level of testosterone in your blood. Testosterone is the major male sex hormone but also found in smaller amounts in women. It must be used to develop reproductive tissue, to build muscle mass, to control mood, and to build bone density. The test can best check for two general types of testosterone:
- Total testosterone, the free plus protein-bound testosterone in your body.
- Free testosterone, merely the active hormone with proteins not bound to it.
Having as much information as possible about free versus total testosterone is helpful in making a right sure diagnosis.
Why Is the Testosterone Test Done?
If endocrine imbalance is suspected on symptom or sign, that is when when to get testosterone tested. Men and women both have some signs and symptoms to be tested.
Testosterone Test in Men
Physicians order the test if the man has:
- Low libido
- Impotency
- Infertility or low sperm count
- Depression or unexplained fatigue
- Loss of body hair or muscle
- Breast tissue growth
These are nonspecific signs of low testosterone in men and may be a prodromal sign for future deficiency or hypogonadism of testosterone.
Testosterone Test in Women
Although the woman's level of testosterone is extremely low, testosterone deficiency or excess may be of concern. A woman may be tested if she has:
- Irregular menses
- Excess facial or body hair growth
- Balding or acne
- Infertility
- Deepened voice
Polycystic Ovulation Syndrome (PCOS) or adrenal disease can even be identified by the test.
Other Medical Conditions Treated by Medicine
The test is even applied for:
- Assessment of precocious or delayed puberty in men
- Screening for continued testosterone replacement therapy
- Assessment of pituitary or adrenal gland function
Preparation for Testosterone Testing
It is easy to prepare for testing testosterone, but some special tips must be remembered so that the test result will be more precise.
Do you need to fast?
Testosterone test fasting required in the majority of cases. If your doctor does ask you to fast for other cholesterol or hormone tests, your doctor will instruct you to fast for 8 to 10 hours. Talk to your doctor.
Best Time for the Test
Testosterone also varies naturally throughout the day. It peaks during the morning and due to this physicians advise you to take the test between 7 AM and 10 AM.
Medications and Lifestyle
Finally, inform your physician if you are taking a drug, i.e., steroids, hormone replacement, or anticonvulsants, as it will alter the amount of testosterone. Also, do not exercise very strenuously a day before your test because it will raise the amount of testosterone temporarily.
What to Wear and What to Expect
Wear short sleeve shirt for venipuncture. It is venipuncture of blood from one of your veins and takes a little less than 10 minutes.
Testosterone Test Procedure
How to prepare for a testosterone test. Your arm will be swabbed over by the health care assistant, they will put a needle in to test and a small amount of your blood will be taken. You experience a pricking sting. After they have obtained the sample your arm will be bandaged and you can go outside once again.
The laboratory blood is thereafter examined by technologists who report the blood level of testosterone. Test results will be ready in a day or two.
What to Expect After the Testosterone Test
No or little time off work after a testosterone blood test. Drive yourself home and resume normal activities straight away. Occasionally dizziness, or a minimal bruise at the site where the needle was administered, but this should be prevented and will heal with time.
If you’re undergoing testosterone replacement therapy, your doctor may schedule regular tests to monitor how well the treatment is working and to avoid side effects like high red blood cell counts or mood swings.
Understanding Testosterone Test Results
Your doctor will interpret your testosterone levels by age, sex, and symptoms.
Normal Testosterone Levels
In a man, a normal testosterone levels would be 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). In a woman, it is even lower, usually 15 to 70 ng/dL. Both are highly lab-dependent on whatever the lab deems to be an acceptable range of values to call normal.
Low Testosterone
Low Testosterone, Male
Usually, this is below 300 ng/dL. It is responsible for fatigue, diminished libido, and infertility.
Female low testosterone may impact libido and bone mineral density.
High Testosterone
Male high testosterone levels is caused by steroid use or adrenal tumor, while female high testosterone can be triggered by PCOS or adrenal disease and result in most of the hirsutism and acne. If your test result is abnormal, your physician may request further testing, including hormone panels, imaging tests, or lifestyle changes for the physician.
Conditions Diagnosed with a Testosterone Test
Your Testosterone test for men can diagnose numerous conditions based on your overall status and signs and symptoms.
- Low testosterone (hypogonadism)
- Infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Trauma intratesticular
Testosterone test for women diagnosis:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Irregular menstruation
- Adrenal or ovarian tumors
The test is also used for the diagnosis of the therapy in patients with testosterone replacement therapy or other hormone therapy.
Free vs Total Testosterone: What’s the Difference?
The term free vs total testosterone refers to two different measurements used to assess testosterone levels in the body. Total testosterone includes both the bound (to proteins like SHBG) and unbound testosterone, while free testosterone represents the small fraction that is biologically active and available to tissues. Comparing free vs total testosterone helps doctors better understand hormone imbalances and tailor treatments for issues like fatigue, low libido, or mood changes.
Testosterone Test Cost in Pakistan
The cost of testosterone test in Pakistan (or region-specific) will also differ from place to place and laboratory to laboratory. In major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, a general testosterone test would range from PKR 1,500 to PKR 3,000. Major panels such as free and total testosterone would range from PKR 3,500 to PKR 6,000.
Home sampling is also cost and reimbursed by some medically necessary medical hormone tests. Call your physician for cost and reimbursement prior to scheduling.
Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.
