Testosterone, Total and Free
General
Synonym/Acronym:
N/A
Rationale
To evaluate testosterone to assist in identification of disorders related to early puberty, late puberty, and infertility while assessing gonadal and adrenal function.
Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.
Normal Findings
Method: HPLC/tandem MS for total testosterone and equilibrium dialysis for free testosterone.
Total Testosterone
Age | Conventional Units | SI Units (Conventional Units × 0.0347) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14–15 yr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 33–585 ng/dL | 1.14–20.29 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female | Less than 75 ng/dL | Less than 2.6 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16–17 yr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 185-886 ng/dL | 6.42–30.74 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female | Less than 20–75 ng/dL | Less than 0.69–2.6 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18–39 yr | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 300–1,080 ng/dL | 10.41–37.48 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female | 8–60 ng/dL | 0.28–2.08 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adult | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 300–890 ng/dL | 10.41–30.88 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female | 10–60 ng/dL | 0.35–2.08 nmol/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Older adult | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 300–720 ng/dL | 10.41–24.98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Female | 5–32 ng/dL | 0.17–1.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postmenopausal levels are about half the normal adult level for females; levels in women who are pregnant are three to four times the normal adult level for females who are not pregnant. |
Free Testosterone
Age | Conventional Units | SI Units (Conventional Units × 3.47) |
---|---|---|
14–15 yr | ||
Male | 4–140 pg/mL | 13.88–486 pmol/L |
Female | Less than 10 pg/mL | Less than 34.7 pmol/L |
16–17 yr | ||
Male | 38–173 pg/mL | 132–600 pmol/L |
Female | Less than 10 pg/mL | Less than 34.7 pmol/L |
Adult | ||
Male | 50–244 pg/mL | 173.5–846.68 pmol/L |
Female | Less than 10 pg/mL | Less than 34.7 pmol/L |
Postmenopausal | Less than 10 pg/mL | Less than 34.7 pmol/L |
Older adult | ||
Male | 5–75 pg/mL | 17.35–260.25 pmol/L |
Female | Less than 10 pg/mL | Less than 34.7 pmol/L |
Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A
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Citation
Van Leeuwen, Anne M., and Mickey Lynn. Bladh. "Testosterone, Total and Free." Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests, 11th ed., F.A. Davis Company, 2025. Nursing Central, nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Davis-Lab-and-Diagnostic-Tests/425041/all/Testosterone_Total_and_Free.
Van Leeuwen AMA, Bladh MLM. Testosterone, Total and Free. Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests. F.A. Davis Company; 2025. https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Davis-Lab-and-Diagnostic-Tests/425041/all/Testosterone_Total_and_Free. Accessed March 13, 2025.
Van Leeuwen, A. M., & Bladh, M. L. (2025). Testosterone, Total and Free. In Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests (11th ed.). F.A. Davis Company. https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Davis-Lab-and-Diagnostic-Tests/425041/all/Testosterone_Total_and_Free
Van Leeuwen AMA, Bladh MLM. Testosterone, Total and Free [Internet]. In: Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests. F.A. Davis Company; 2025. [cited 2025 March 13]. Available from: https://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/view/Davis-Lab-and-Diagnostic-Tests/425041/all/Testosterone_Total_and_Free.
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