Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Serum Lithium Heparin Plasma (paediatrics only)

Minimum volume required

300 µL serum/plasma

Special requirements

For mass spec testosterone, DO NOT separate serum into Impeco tubes as this causes interference with the assay. Send primary tubes to QE for analysis.

Patient preparation

None

Sample viability

Turnaround time

Immunoassay: 1 day Mass spec: 5 working days

Reference range

Adults (Alinity immunoassay): Females: <1.9 nmol/L Males aged 18 – 49 years: 8.3 – 30.2 nmol/L Males aged >50 years: 7.7 – 24.8 nmol/L Adults (mass spectrometry): Females: <1.9 nmol/L Males: 7.0 – 27.0 nmol/L Paediatrics: Neonates: Not reported (can be elevated during year 1) Female Tanner 1: <0.6 nmol/L Male Tanner 1: <0.7 nmol/L (Source: Immunoassay: Abbott Diagnostics, Mass spectrometry: Kushnir et al., 2010, doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2010.143222)

Clinical guidance

Testosterone is an androgenic steroid hormone, which is secreted mainly by the testes in males. It can be used to assess testicular failure/erectile dysfunction in males. Due to the diurnal variation of testosterone, samples should be collected early in the morning. Testosterone can also be secreted from the adrenal cortex and the ovaries in females. In females, testosterone measurement is usfeul for investigation of amenorrhoea, hirsuitism, and virilisation. In male children, testosterone measurement can be used to investigate precocious or delayed puberty. Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK to learn more about testosterone. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/testosterone-test

Notes