Testosterone Total Pediatric Blood
What is this test?
Total Testosterone is both bound (albumin-bound and SHBG-bound) and unbound testosterone. Total testosterone blood test in pediatrics is used to find out the total testosterone levels in the blood.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone plays an important role in the facilitation of spermatogenesis. Testosterone stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men like the growth of the body hair, deepening of the voice, enlargement of the penis (sex organ in men), muscle development. In women, testosterone is converted to the main female sex hormone i.e:-Estradiol. Testosterone production is high in the early morning hours from about 4-am to 8-am and low in production from about 4-pm to 8-pm. Production of testosterone is rapidly high at the onset of puberty and starts to drop at the age near to 30. Luteinizing Hormone LH is a pituitary hormone that stimulates and controls the production of testosterone hormone. Secretion of Testosterone into the blood circulation depends on the response of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and is regulated by a negative feedback mechanism. Most of the Testosterone which is secreted into the blood binds to the Sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and a little amount to the albumin. The remaining amount of testosterone which is not bounded and freely circulates in the blood is known as Free Testosterone. Free testosterone and testosterone bound to albumin together is the bioavailable testosterone, which is used by the body to act on target tissues. It is present in both male and female.
Why this test is performed?
This test may be recommended by your doctor if the boy is about to enter the puberty earlier or later than expected. This test may also be recommended to either boys or girls to check for any damage or disease of the testes, ovaries, adrenal glands, or pituitary glands, or to check for steroid use. In teenagers, this test helps in evaluating fertility or menstrual problems and sexual function.
Also known as Testosterone Total Pediatric.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Testosterone Total Pediatric Blood. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Testosterone Total Pediatric Blood.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
If the total testosterone levels are higher than the normal reference range it may indicate precocious puberty (early puberty). In girls, high levels of total testosterone may be associated with masculine characteristics such as facial hair.
If the total testosterone levels are lower than the normal reference range it may indicate a delay in sexual development.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| FEMALE | All age groups | < 7 - 130 ng/dl |