How to Perform Testosterone Lab Testing in Your Clinic

Introduction

Testosterone is a crucial hormone that plays a significant role in various bodily functions in both men and women. Accurate measurement of testosterone levels is essential for diagnosing and managing conditions such as hypogonadism, certain types of infertility, and other hormonal imbalances. This guide will walk you through the process of performing testosterone lab testing in your clinic, ensuring precise and reliable results.

1. Understand the Importance of Testosterone Testing

Before conducting testosterone tests, it's essential to understand why these tests are necessary. Testosterone levels can influence sexual function, muscle strength, bone density, and mood. In men, low levels can lead to symptoms like decreased libido, fatigue, and mood disturbances. In women, abnormal testosterone levels can cause symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles and excess hair growth.

2. Educate Your Patients

Patients should be well-informed about the purpose and procedure of testosterone testing. Explain the potential symptoms of testosterone imbalance and how the test can help in diagnosing and treating their condition. Ensure patients understand the need for fasting or any specific preparation required before the test.

3. Choose the Right Test

Testosterone can be measured in several ways, including total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone. Total testosterone measures both free and bound testosterone, while free testosterone measures only the hormone that is not attached to proteins in the blood. Discuss with the patient and decide which test is most appropriate based on their symptoms and medical history.

4. Prepare for the Test

For the most accurate results, testosterone levels should be measured in the morning when levels are typically highest. Instruct patients to avoid certain medications and activities that might influence hormone levels, such as intense exercise or consuming alcohol. Ensure the patient has fasted if required for the specific test.

5. Collect the Sample

Blood samples are the most common method for testosterone testing. Use proper venipuncture techniques to collect the blood sample. Ensure the sample is labeled correctly and handled with care to avoid contamination or degradation of the sample.

6. Analyze the Sample

Send the collected sample to a certified laboratory for analysis. Ensure that the lab follows standardized procedures for hormone testing to guarantee consistent and accurate results.

7. Interpret the Results

Once the results are back, it's crucial to interpret them correctly. Testosterone levels vary based on age, sex, and overall health. Compare the patient's levels with normal ranges and consider other factors like symptoms and medical history in your diagnosis.

8. Discuss Treatment Options

If the test results indicate an imbalance, discuss the appropriate treatment options with the patient. This might include hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle changes, or further testing to identify underlying causes.

9. Follow-Up Testing

Monitor the patient's response to treatment with follow-up testing. Adjust the treatment plan as necessary based on subsequent test results and changes in symptoms.

Conclusion

Performing testosterone lab testing in your clinic requires careful preparation, precise testing, and thoughtful interpretation of results. By following these steps, you can ensure that your patients receive the best possible care and outcomes in managing their hormonal health.

FDA APPROVED TESTOSTERONE LAB TESTING ANALYZER SYSTEMS

Test System / Manufacturer Analyte Analyte Specialty Complexity Effective Date

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics VITROS ECi Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 1/22/1999

Abbott ARCHITECT i2000 System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/15/2000

Abbott ARCHITECT i2000SR System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/16/2002

ABBOTT ARCHITECT i1000 SYSTEM Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/15/2000

Abbott ARCHITECT I System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/9/1999

KMI Diagnostics Testosterone ELISA Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 3/26/1999

Diagnostic Systems DSL-10-4000 ACTIVE Testosterone EIA Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/25/1997

Chiron Diagnostics ACS:Centaur Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 4/24/1998

Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 9/4/2008

Siemens ADVIA Centaur CP System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 9/4/2008

SIEMENS ADVIA Centaur Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/2/2011

TOSOH AIA- 1800 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/18/2003

TOSOH AIA-2000 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 9/16/2009

CIRRUS DIAGNOSTICS IMMULITE 2000 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/12/1997

Roche Diagnostics Elecsys 1010 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 5/7/1999

Roche Diagnostics Elecsys 2010 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 5/7/1999

Boehringer Mannheim Elecsys 2010 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 5/16/1997

Boehringer Mannheim Elecsys 1010 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 5/16/1997

BAYER IMMUNO 1 SYSTEM Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/21/1998

Technicon Immuno 1 System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/25/1996

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros ECiQ Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/15/2004

Roche Diagnostics Elecsys E170 Modular Analytics Immunoassay Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/12/2001

Roche Diagnostics cobas e 411 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/30/2006

CIRRUS DIAGNOSTICS IMMULITE Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/19/1996

BioChem Immunosystems Biodata Testosterone MAIA Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 1/17/1997

Diagnostic Systems Active Free Testosterone RIA Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 7/28/1995

Organon Teknika AuraFlex Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/27/1998

AlfaBioTech AuraFlex Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/27/1998

Ciba Corning ACS 180 Plus Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/25/1996

Chiron Diagnostics ACS 180 Plus Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/15/1996

Ciba Corning ACS 180 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/10/1994

Chiron Diagnostics ACS 180 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/15/1996

Wallac Oy DELFIA Testosterone Kit Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 11/22/1993

Bio-analysis Inc Pantex Salivary Direct Testosterone Enzyme Immunoassay(EIA) Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 11/21/2014

DiaSorin LIAISON Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 1/30/2013

DiaSorin LIAISON XL analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/5/2013

Roche Diagnostics cobas e 602 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 1/25/2011

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros 3600 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/4/2010

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics VITROS 5600 Integrated System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/2/2011

Roche Diagnostics cobas e 601 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/16/2006

Beckman Coulter Unicel DxC 600i Synchron Access Clinical System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/22/2006

DRG Salivary Testosterone ELISA (Saliva) Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 2/22/2006

Beckman Coulter UniCel DxC 660i Synchron Access Clinical System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 4/23/2009

Beckman Coulter UniCel DxC 680i Synchron Access Clinical System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 4/23/2009

Beckman Coulter UniCel DxC 860i Synchron Access Clinical System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 4/23/2009

Abbott AxSYM {Axis-Shield Diagnostics Ltd} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/4/2004

IBL-GMBH TESTOSTERONE LIA FOR ORAL FLUID AND SERUM (SERUM SALIVA) Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 3/1/2004

DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION DIAGNOSTICS IMMULITE {DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION TOTAL TESTOSTERONE} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/7/2003

Diagnostic Products Corporation IMMULITE 1000 Analyzer {DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION TOTAL TESTOSTERONE} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/7/2003

Diagnostic Products Corporation IMMULITE 2000 Analyzer {DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION TOTAL TESTOSTERONE} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/7/2003

Diagnostics Products Corp IMMULITE 2500 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/22/2006

Siemens IMMULITE 1000 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/7/2011

Siemens IMMULITE 2500 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/7/2011

Siemens IMMULITE 2000 Systems Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/7/2011

Siemens IMMULITE 2000 Xpi Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/7/2011

Siemens IMMULITE Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 11/7/2011

DIAGNOSTICS BIOCHEM CANADA FREE TESTOSTERONE Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 8/25/2003

TOSOH AIA- 1800 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/28/2004

Tosoh AIA-360 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/28/2004

Tosoh AIA-600 II {ST AIA-PACK TESTOSTERONE ASSAY} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/16/2002

TOSOH AIA NEXIA {ST AIA-PACK TESTOSTERONE ASSAY} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/16/2002

TOSOH AIA-900 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 5/4/2011

Beckman Coulter Inc. Synchron LX I 725 Clinical System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/8/2002

Diagnostic Products Corporation IMMULITE 1000 Analyzer Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/30/2002

Qualigen Fastpack Analyzer System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/22/2002

bioMerieux VIDAS Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/17/2002

Biomerieux Mini-Vidas Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/17/2002

DIAGNOSTICS BIOCHEM CANADA DIRECT ELISA TESTOSTERONE Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 2/7/2002

BIOCHECK INC. TESTOSTERONE ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY TEST KIT Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 10/5/2000

Beckman Access Immunoassay System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 8/22/2000

Beckman Coulter Access 2 Immunoassay System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/29/2001

Beckman Coulter Inc. Unicel Dxi 800 Access Immunoassay System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 6/23/2003

Beckman Coulter UniCel DxI 600 Access Immunoassay System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/17/2007

DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM LABORATORIES 10-4900 ACTIVE FREE TESTOSTERONE EIA Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 5/15/2000

DRG AURICA ELISA TESTOSTERONE Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 4/17/2000

Alfa Scientific Designs Microwell Testosterone EIA Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/23/1999

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Atellica IM Analyzer {Atellica IM Testosterone II (TSTII)} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/20/2024

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Atellica CI Analyzer {Atellica IM Testosterone II (TSTII)} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/20/2024

Beckman Coulter Inc. DxI 9000 Access Immunoassay Analyzer {Beckman Coulter Inc. Access Testosterone} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/2/2023

Roche Diagnostics cobas e 402 {Elecsys Testosterone II} Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/2/2022

Immunotech s.r.o ACTIVE Free Testosterone RIA Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 12/27/2019

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 1/23/2019

Monobind Inc. Free Testosterone AccuBind ELISA Test System Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 7/24/2018

Abbott Laboratories Alinity i System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 4/23/2018

Roche Diagnostics Cobas e 801 Module Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 12/2/2022

NanoEnTek FREND System Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 10/17/2016

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Dimension Vista 500 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/24/2016

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Dimension Vista 1000T Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/24/2016

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Dimension Vista 3000T Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 3/24/2016

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Dimension Vista 1500 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 2/12/2016

bioMerieux VIDAS 3 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/14/2015

Serono Baker SR 1 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/26/1993

Serono Baker Serozyme Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Serono Diagnostics Serozyme Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Serono Diagnostics SR 1 Testosterone Endocrinology MODERATE 7/26/1993

Leeco Diagnostics RIA Test Kit Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Clinical Assays GammaCoat Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Diagnostic Systems Active Testosterone RIA Kit Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Diagnostic Systems Testosterone RIA Kit Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Diagnostic Products Corp. Coat-A-Count Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Diagnostic Products Corp. Coat-A-Count Testosterone free Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Diagnostic Products Corp. Double Antibody Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993

Bio-Rad CoTube Testosterone Endocrinology HIGH 7/26/1993