Testosterone

Test Alias / Common Abbreviations

 

N/A

 

Department


Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital, Macclesfield District General Hospital and Leighton Hospital.


Pre-analytical information  

 

Add-on requests: accepted to 72 hours post sampling

Minimum Retest Interval: 27 days

 

 

Sample  Collection instructions:


Collect the sample using normal venepuncture technique into a serum gel tube (gold-top).

Samples for male patients should be taken at 9 am, and following an overnight fast.

 

 

Sample Transport & Stability Information:

 

Samples should be sent to the laboratory on the same day as collection to ensure sample integrity is maintained. If a delay in receipt of the sample is anticipated, please contact the laboratory to discuss storage requirements.

Stable in separated serum for 8 hours at room temperature, 7 days at 4-8oC and 1 year at -20oC.

For generic information on test requesting, sample labelling and packaging, and sample transport – see the frequently asked questions here.

 

Sample Type, Container & Volume

Adult sample type:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paediatric sample type: 

Plain serum

 

Turnaround Time

Based on receipt at testing site.
Within 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Sex

Age

Testosterone Range nmol/L

Females 

0 years 

0.0-1.2 

Females 

1 year 

0.0-0.9 

Females 

2-10 years 

0.0-0.4 

Females 

11-15 years 

0.0-1.0 

Females 

16-21 years 

0.4-1.5 

Females 

22-49 years 

0.3-1.2 

Females 

≥ 50 years 

0.0-1.3 

Males 

0 years 

0.0-9.1 

Males 

1 year 

0.0-0.9 

Males 

2-10 years 

0.0-0.4 

Males 

11 years 

0.0-16.6 

Males 

12 years 

0.0-16.9 

Males 

13 years 

0.3-19.1 

Males 

14 years 

0.3-18.6 

Males 

15 years 

2.3-26.3 

Males 

16-21 years 

7.9-24.7 

Males 

22-49 years 

6.9-23.2 

Males 

≥ 50 years 

6.5-23.7 
Results outside the reference range do not necessarily indicate disease. Similarly, results within the reference range do not preclude abnormality. Please contact the Duty Biochemist for discussion of individual patient results.

Investigation of: early/delayed puberty in boys; low libido, erectile dysfunction and infertility in males; hirsutism, virilisation and infertility in females; and adrenal/pituitary/hypothalamic disorders in both males and females.

Testosterone measurements in males should be performed at 9 am, following an overnight fast. Avoid measurement in men recovering from acute illness, or using short term medications which suppress testosterone concentration. In males with low testosterone, FSH/LH measurements may differentiate between primary and secondary testicular failure. Further endocrine testing, e.g. cortisol, thyroid function, prolactin may be useful, and may be added by the Duty Biochemist if considered appropriate.

In females, samples with elevated testosterone concentrations may be referred to a specialist laboratory for further analysis by a more specific method, mass spectrometry - see Testosterone (mass spectrometry)). If female patients are taking medications/supplements which may affect testosterone (e.g. HRT), please state this in the clinical details when requesting the test.

There are a number of non-pathological factors that can influence levels of specific analytes, giving falsely elevated or reduced levels. If you require more information regarding the effects of these factors on the individual test results, please contact the Duty Biochemist.


Serum/plasma samples are routinely screened for the presence of haemolysis, icterus and lipaemia. Results are not reported if one or more of these has been detected at levels deemed to have had a significant impact on the accuracy of the test.

For more information, please see the following: Testosterone – Lab Tests Online

Reviewed / Updated On: 10/10/2025