Find Locations
For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Unable to load global navigation.
Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Ultrafiltration With Total Testosterone
CPT:
84402; 84403
Test Includes
Total, free, and percent free testosterone
Special Instructions
State patient's age and sex on the test request form.
Expected Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Information
Related Documents
For more information, please view the literature below.
Frequently Asked Questions: Testosterone by Mass Spectrometry − New Profiles
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2.50 mL
Minimum Volume
2 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Collection
Separate serum from cells. If a red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Causes for Rejection
Hemolyzed sample; icteric sample; gross lipemia; recently administered isotopes; plasma specimen
Test Details
Use
Evaluate hirsutism and masculinization in women; evaluate testicular function in clinical states where the testosterone binding proteins may be altered (obesity, cirrhosis, thyroid disorders)
Methodology
Free: equilibrium ultrafiltration; total: electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)
Reference Interval
See tables.1
Free Testosterone | ||
|---|---|---|
Age | Male (ng/dL) | Female (ng/dL) |
Cord blood | 0.50−2.20 | 0.40−1.60 |
1 to 15 d | 0.15−3.10 | 0.05−0.25 |
1 to 2 m | 0.33−0.80 | 0.01−0.13 |
3 to 5 m | 0.07−1.40 | 0.03−0.11 |
6 to 7 m | 0.04−0.48 | 0.02−0.06 |
6 to 9 y | 0.01−0.32 | 0.01−0.09 |
10 to 11 y | 0.06−0.57 | 0.10−0.52 |
12 to 14 y | 0.14−15.60 | 0.10−0.52 |
15 to 17 y | 8.00−15.90 | 0.10−0.52 |
Adults | 5.00−21.00 | 0.10−0.85 |
Percentage of Total Testosterone | ||
|---|---|---|
Age | Male (%) | Female (%) |
Cord blood | 2.00−4.40 | 2.00−3.90 |
1 to 15 d | 0.90−1.70 | 0.80−1.50 |
1 to 2 m | 0.40−0.80 | 0.40−1.10 |
3 to 5 m | 0.40−1.10 | 0.50−1.00 |
6 to 7 m | 0.40−1.00 | 0.50−0.80 |
6 to 9 y | 0.90−1.70 | 0.90−1.40 |
10 to 11 y | 1.00−1.90 | 1.00−1.90 |
12 to 14 y | 1.30−3.00 | 1.00−1.90 |
15 to 17 y | 1.80−2.70 | 1.00−1.90 |
Adults | 1.50−4.20 | 0.50−2.80 |
Additional Information
The concentration of free testosterone is very low, typically <2% of the total testosterone concentration. In most men and women, >50% of total circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and most of the rest is bound to albumin.2 Routinely available assay methods used to measure total testosterone are not sensitive enough to accurately quantitate the free testosterone fraction directly. Free testosterone is estimated in this profile by an indirect method, equilibrium ultrafiltration. Tritiated testosterone is added to the sample and allowed to come to equilibrium with testosterone in the serum at physiological temperature.3,4 The amount of the added radiolabeled testosterone must be low enough to ensure that the addition will not significantly increase the total testosterone concentration. Once equilibrium is achieved, the free testosterone is separated from the bound by filtration through a membrane by centrifugal ultrafiltration.5 The radioactivity of the protein-free ultrafiltrate is measured and used to calculate the percent free testosterone. The concentration of free testosterone is then calculated by multiplying the percent free testosterone by the total testosterone concentration.
Footnotes
1. Tietz NW, ed. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1995:578.
2. Wheeler MJ. The determination of bioavailable testosterone. Ann Clin Biochem. 1995; 32(Pt 4):345-357 (review). 7486793
3. Klee GG, Heser DW. Techniques to measure testosterone in the elderly. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000; 75(Suppl):S19-S25. 10959211
4. Gronowski AM, Landau-Levine M. Reproductive endocrine function. In Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1999:1601-1641.
5. Vlahos I, MacMahon W, Sgoutas D. An improved ultrafiltration method for determining free testosterone in serum. Clin Chem. 1982; 28(11):2286-2291.7127776
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 081786 | Testosterone, Free/Tot Equilib | 58952-3 | 004227 | Testosterone | ng/dL | 2986-8 |
| 081786 | Testosterone, Free/Tot Equilib | 58952-3 | 080796 | Testosterone,Free | ng/dL | 2991-8 |
| 081786 | Testosterone, Free/Tot Equilib | 58952-3 | 080770 | % Free Testosterone | % | 15432-8 |
© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CPT Statement/Profile Statement
The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf