Lab test · Endocrinology
Testosterone (Total)
Male hormone (testosterone) level
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Male hormone (testosterone) level
This test measures total testosterone, which includes both the testosterone bound to proteins in the blood and the small free part. Testosterone is the main male sex hormone and is made mostly by the testes, while women make small amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands. It affects sex drive, muscle and bone strength, body hair, mood, energy and fertility.
Why a doctor may order it
- In men, to look into low sex drive, erection problems, tiredness or loss of muscle
- To help investigate infertility or a low sperm count
- In women, to investigate excess facial or body hair, acne or irregular periods, including in PCOS
- To assess early or delayed puberty
- To monitor testosterone treatment or treatments that lower testosterone
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast. Testosterone is highest in the morning, so the sample is usually taken early in the day. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise, and tell your doctor about any hormone treatment or supplements, or if you have been unwell recently, as illness can lower testosterone for a while.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- Choose an early morning slot. A trained collector then comes to your home and takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm in a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
Your total testosterone is reported with the laboratory's range for your sex and age. In men, a low level may reflect a problem with the testes or pituitary gland, or be linked to obesity, poorly controlled diabetes or recent illness, and a low result is usually repeated on another morning before any decision. In women, a raised level can be seen in PCOS and, rarely, with other hormone conditions. Your doctor will interpret the result with your symptoms.
What's included
One test: Testosterone (Total), from one blood sample.
Related tests
Questions people ask
Why is testosterone tested in the morning?
Testosterone levels are highest in the early morning and fall through the day, especially in younger men. A morning sample avoids a falsely low result.
What is the difference between total and free testosterone?
Most testosterone in the blood is bound to proteins. Total testosterone measures all of it, while free testosterone measures the small unbound part. Your doctor may ask for free testosterone if the total is borderline or binding proteins may be unusual.
Why would a woman need a testosterone test?
Women make small amounts of testosterone. It is checked when there is excess hair growth, acne, thinning scalp hair or irregular periods, which can point to conditions such as PCOS.
Does a low testosterone level mean I need treatment?
Not necessarily. Levels vary from day to day and can be affected by weight, sleep and illness. Your doctor will usually repeat the test and look at your symptoms before discussing any options.
How much does a Testosterone test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳550, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Testosterone test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Testosterone report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.