Clinical Significance:
Testosterone is a potent androgen produced primarily by metabolism of Androstenedione and Androstenediol. It is converted to Estradiol, Dihydrotestosterone, Androsterone, and Etiocholanolone. It is excreted into the urine as conjugated and unconjugated (Free) forms of Testosterone and also is responsible for much of the 17-Ketosteroids found in the urine. This assay measures the total of the conjugated and unconjugated forms. In males the vast majority of Testosterone is produced by the Leydig cells under the control of Luteinizing Hormone. In females, most of the Testosterone is of adrenal origin. Testosterone is responsible for development of secondary sex characteristics including external genitalia, growth of facial hair and pubic hair. Increased levels of Urine Testosterone are found in patients with Polycystic Ovarian Disease, Hirsutism, Ovarian Tumors, Arrhenoblastomas, Hilus Cell Tumors, Adrenal Hyperplasia and Adrenal Tumors. Decreased levels are found in Hypogonadism, Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Hypopituitarism, and Estrogen Therapy. Urine Testosterone measurement gives an accurate picture of Testosterone production integrated ovar a 24 hour period.
Reference Ranges:
Male: 40 – 120 ug/24 hours
Female: 2.0 – 10 ug/24 hours
Procedure:
Urine Testosterone is measured by EIA/ELISA following hydrolysis and extraction of specimens.
Patient Preparation:
Patient should not be on any Steroid, Thyroid, ACTH, Estrogen or Gonadotropin medications, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection of specimen.
Specimen Collection:
10 ml of a 24 hour urine collection should be submitted for analysis. No special preservatives are required. Store specimen refrigerated during collection. Specimens should be frozen prior to shipping. Minimum specimen size is 5 ml.
Shipping Instructions:
Ship specimens frozen in dry ice. Provide the total volume per 24 hours.
References:
1. Y Doberne and MI New. Urinary Androstanediol and Testosterone in Adults. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 42: 152, 1976.
2. TJ Wilke and David J Utley. Total Testosterone, Free-Androgen Index, Calculated Free Testosterone, and Free Testosterone by Analog RIA Compared in Hirsute Women and in Otherwise-Normal Women with Altered Binding of Sex-Hormone-Binding Globulin. Clinical Chemistry 33: 1372-1375, 1987.