Testosterone Test - Free

This Free Testosterone Test t is a specialized blood test that measures the level of free testosterone circulating in your bloodstream. Free testosterone refers to the fraction of testosterone that is not bound to any proteins in the blood, such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or albumin. This form of testosterone is bioavailable and can readily enter cells to perform its biological functions, making it critically important for assessing the body's androgen status.

Unlike the Total Testosterone Test, which provides an overall measurement of testosterone including both bound and free testosterone (but does not differentiate the two), the Free Testosterone Test focuses solely on the unbound, active form of this hormone. By measuring free testosterone, you can gain insights into the hormonal balance of individuals, particularly in cases where total testosterone levels may not fully reflect an individual's clinical situation.

Comparatively, the preferred Testosterone Free and Total Test offers a more comprehensive overview by measuring both the free testosterone and the total testosterone levels in the blood, and also differentiating between the two. This dual assessment is useful for a more detailed evaluation of testosterone status, as it allows for the determination of both the proportion of bioavailable testosterone and the overall quantity of the hormone present.

Choosing between these tests depends on your specific scenario. This Free Testosterone Test is particularly valuable when the concern lies specifically with the bioavailable hormone levels that can influence physiological activities directly. In contrast, the Testosterone Free and Total Test is preferred when a broader hormonal profile is needed, providing a more nuanced view that can assist in diagnosing and managing various conditions related to testosterone imbalance.

Testosterone testing is used to evaluate androgen excess or deficiency related to gonadal function, adrenal function, or tumor activity. Testosterone levels may be helpful in men for the diagnosis of hypogonadism, hypopituitarism, Klinefelter syndrome, and impotence (low values). This test is helpful in assessing testicular function in males.

Testosterone levels may be requested in women to investigate the cause of hirsutism, anovulation, amenorrhea, virilization, masculinizing tumors of the ovary, tumors of the adrenal cortices, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (high values).

Reduced levels of testosterone in men can lead to:

• Infertility
• Decrease in libido/sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Decreased muscle tone
• Moodiness
• Increase in body fat/enlarged breasts

Women should consider testosterone testing if:

• They are concerned about infertility
• Have thinning scalp hair
• Have heavy vaginal bleeding
• Experience low libido
• Have menopausal women
• Irregular or missed periods
• Have unusual bouts of acne or facial/body hair growth

What can this test help diagnose?

Testosterone testing may be used to help evaluate the following conditions:

• Decreased sex drive/libido in men and women
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Infertility in men and women
• Testicular tumors in men
• Hypothalamus or pituitary gland disorders
• Hirsutism and/or virilization in women