Diagnosing Low Testosterone

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Diagnosing Low Testosterone

How are low testosterone levels diagnosed?

If a physician suspects low testosterone based on symptoms and physical examination, the diagnosis must be confirmed by laboratory testing.



Most circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin and albumin. In young adult men, only about 2 percent of testosterone is unbound (free testosterone). Total testosterone (bound plus free testosterone) is the preferred measure since tests for free-testosterone are not as accurate.

Testosterone levels are best measured early in the morning. This is because testosterone level has a daily pattern (diurnal) where it is most abundant at about 8:00 a.m.

Testing of LH and FSH, other hormones that stimulate the testes, are also performed to determine whether the cause of low testosterone is primary or secondary.