Testosterone, Free (Indirect) With Total Testosterone, LC/MS-MS Blood Test
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Test Code: 070038
Specimen Type: Blood
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Description:
Free Testosterone, Equilibrium Ultrafiltration With Total Testosterone, LC/MS-MS Test (Labcorp)
This test measures both Total and Free Testosterone. The testosterone levels provided by this test are measured using different methodologies than the standard Free and Total Testosterone Blood Tests. The Free Testosterone uses the Equilibrium Ultrafiltration methodology. Total Testosterone is measured by Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. However, it is present in both men and women. In men, testosterone is produced primarily in the testicles. Small amounts of testosterone are produced by the ovaries in women and the adrenal glands in both sexes. Testosterone stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty in men. In adult men, testosterone regulates sex drive and helps maintain muscle mass. Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which is produced by the Pituitary Gland, controls how much testosterone is produced. Measuring testosterone can help to diagnose the cause for a number of conditions in men such as delayed or early puberty, erectile dysfunction, and testicular tumors. It can also help evaluate conditions which affect both men and women such as decreased sex drive, infertility and pituitary disorders.
Certain groups of people such as women, children and men whose bodies do not produce enough testosterone (hypogonadism) may find that a standard testosterone blood test is not sensitive enough to provide them with accurate results. In these cases, a Testosterone LC/MS-MS test may be more appropriate. This test is more sensitive and provides a more accurate measurement when testosterone concentrations are very low.
The majority of testosterone is bound to the proteins Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Albumin. The portion of testosterone which is not bound is known as Free Testosterone. Free Testosterone is available for the body to use. This test uses a different testing methodology than a standard Direct Free Testosterone Blood Test. The equilibrium ultrafiltration test measures the percentage of free testosterone in a sample and uses that to calculate the free testosterone level.
This type of test is typically ordered to monitor testosterone levels in men who have been diagnosed with hypogonadism or are showing symptoms such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, decrease in muscle mass, lack of facial or body hair growth, osteoporosis, decreased sex drive, fatigue, or delayed puberty. This test is also ordered for women who are showing symptoms of abnormal testosterone levels such as abnormal facial or body hair growth, thinning hair, acne, abnormal menstrual periods, infertility, low sex drive, osteoporosis, fatigue and depression.
Typically the turnaround time for the Testosterone test is 4-6 business days.
Where can I find a Testosterone, Free (Indirect) With Total Testosterone, LC/MS-MS test near me?
Check our lab finder to locate a collection site in your area.
Note: Result turn around times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.
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