Testosterone Total+Free
Understanding Testosterone Total+Free
What is Testosterone Total+Free?
Testosterone is one of the main sex hormone in males. However, in small amounts it is also found in females. It is available either in free form or is attached to proteins. This tests detects the levels of both free testosterone and total testosterone. Total testosterone measures both free and attached testosterone. This tests helps in the diagnosis of decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, infertility, tumor of testicles in males. In females, it is used to check irregular menstrual cycles and infertility.
What is Testosterone Total+Free used for?
- In males, upon the appearance of symptoms like infertility, erectile dysfunction, or early or delayed puberty
- In females, upon the appearance of male pattern physical features, abnormal menstruation or lack of menstruation before menopause, or infertility
- To evaluate delayed or early puberty
What does Testosterone Total+Free measure?
Contains 2 tests
Testosterone Total
A Testosterone Total test measures the level of testosterone hormone in the blood. Testosterone is a sex hormone that is mainly found in men but is also present in women in small amounts. The appearance of male physical characteristics is also due to this hormone.
The production of testosterone hormone is regulated by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. As the levels of testosterone rise, the production of LH decreases which in turn slows down the production of testosterone. Similarly, when the levels of testosterone fall, it leads to an increase in LH production, which in turn stimulates testosterone production.
Most of the testosterone circulating in the blood gets attached to two proteins: albumin and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and some of it remains unattached which is called free testosterone. Free testosterone and albumin-bound testosterone are also known as bioavailable testosterone as they are easily available for the body to use for proper functioning.
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