Description
Testosterone, Total, MS testing is used to diagnose several conditions in both men and women, as well as detecting low levels or deficiencies in men. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men and is responsible for male physical characteristics. Typically testosterone is considered to be a male sex hormone, but it is present in the blood of females as well.
This testosterone blood test measures the total amount of testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood as well as testosterone that is not bound (free testosterone). Approximately two-thirds of testosterone circulates in the blood bound to SHBG and less than one-third is bound to albumin. A small percent (less than 4 percent) circulates in the blood as free testosterone.It is helpful in assessing testicular function in male and managing hirsutism, virilization in females.
Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone and the principle male sex hormone. Testosterone plays a key role in development of the male reproductive system and promotes secondary sexual characteristics. It is primarily secreted from the testes. In females, low levels of testosterone are secreted by the ovaries. Small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal gland in both genders.
Testosterone deficiency affects approximately 30% of men aged 40 to 79 years. There is a growing body of evidence that strongly associates deficiency with aging and common medical conditions including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men can lead to improvement of metabolic syndrome indicators and cardiovascular risk factors. Maintaining testosterone concentrations in the normal range also contributes to bone health, more lean muscle mass, and better physical and sexual function.
An abnormal testosterone concentration can cause premature or delayed puberty in children and hirsutism, as well as virilization in women.Using LC/MS/MS technology, we are able to achieve higher sensitivity and specificity in complex matrices such as human serum and plasma. While immunoassay has been the dominant testing platform, LC/MS/MS technology is now widely accepted as the gold standard for small molecule determinations. LC/MS/MS is applicable to steroid measurements, testing for inborn errors of metabolism, and toxicology testing, particularly for therapeutic drug monitoring and pain management.
