Testosterone testing in adult males
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract
The number of requests for testosterone testing in adult males has been increasing in recent years. In this review, the biochemistry and physiology of testosterone in males relevant to the chemical pathologist or clinical biochemist is outlined. The methodology for total testosterone and various laboratory tests associated with the assessment of testosterone status including free testosterone, calculated free testosterone (CFT), bioavailable testosterone (BAT) and free androgen index (FAI) is then summarised. Clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in men are critically discussed with particular emphasis on the interpretation of laboratory test results. Finally, other indications for testosterone testing in adult men such as infertility are also reviewed.
Keywords
Pathology
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Malaysian Journal of Pathology
Publisher
College of Pathologists, Academy of Medicine Malaysia
Additional Information
Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. clementho@ummc.edu.my