What is the testosterone or total testosterone test & Leutinizing HormoneTest?
Testosterone is a sex hormone and it ihas various functions. In humans, testosterone is essential for the growth of the testes and prostate, as well as for the promotion of secondary sexual characteristics, like increased bone and muscle mass. It helps in making sperm and body hair development. In males, testosterone is made by the testes, by ovaries in females & by the adrenal gland in both sexes. It helps in overall growth and development.
Different forms of testosterone in the blood may be measured to help diagnose specific health problems. A testosterone test measures the blood level of the male sex hormone testosterone.
A luteinizing hormone test or LH Test measures the luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood. This hormone helps develop testes in males and ovaries in females. This is also known as interstitial cell stimulating hormone.
When is the testosterone or total testosterone or leutinizing hormone test done?
A doctor may recommend a total testosterone test
- To monitor hormone levels in patients undergoing testosterone replacement therapy
- To help diagnose health conditions in children and adults.
- To monitor transgender men on hormone therapy
- To check for early or late onset of puberty
- To work for Osteoporosis or thinning of the bones
- To detect fertility problems
- To detect a reason for delayed periods in females
- Increased facial hair growth in females
- In case one suffers from erectile dysfunction or a decrease in libido
A doctor may recommend a Leutinizing hormone test
- As a part of the investigation for infertility
- For irregular periods
- To check for menopause
What are the components of the testosterone or LH test?
- A testosterone test measures the level of the testosterone hormone in the blood. Testeorene hormone occurs freely or bound to proteins like albumin or sex hormone globulin. A total testosterone test measures testosterone levels in both bound and free states in blood.
- Bioavailable testosterone measures testosterone that is not bound to SHBG, including free Testosterone and albumin-bound Testosterone.
Leutinizing hormone test in both males and females can be done to check issues related to infertility, irregular periods or menopause.
What is the standard reference range for the testosterone test?
- Female: 15 to 70 ng/dL or 0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L.
- Male: 300 to 1,000 (ng/dL) or 10 to 35 (nmol/L)
Leutinizing hormone test
For women, the normal reference range is:
- 5-25 (IU/L) before menopause
- 14.2-52.3 IU/Ll after menopause
For men, the normal reference range is
Note: In a postmenopausal woman, the testosterone level is about half the average for a healthy, nonpregnant woman. The reference rate varies from laboratory to laboratory.
How is the testosterone and luteinizing hormone test done?
The test requires a morning blood sample because the levels are highest at that time.
- Fasting is not compulsory
- This test poses no risk to the patient
- The result is expected on the same or next day