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Testosterone
How It Feels
The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.
Risks
There is very little chance of a problem from having blood sample taken from a vein.
- You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes.
- In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this.
- Ongoing bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your doctor before your blood sample is taken.
Results
A testosterone test checks the level of this male hormone (androgen) in the blood.
Normal
Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Your doctor will have your test results in 1 to 2 days.
| Age | Male |
|---|---|
|
7 months to 9 years |
|
|
10–13 years |
1–619 ng/dL (0.04–21.48 nmol/L) |
|
14–15 years |
100–540 ng/dL (3.47–18.74 nmol/L) |
|
16–19 years |
200–970 ng/dL (6.94–33.66 nmol/L) |
|
20–39 years |
270–1,080 ng/dL (9.00–37.48 nmol/L) |
|
40–59 years |
350–890 ng/dL (12.15–30.88 nmol/ L) |
|
60 years and older |
350–720 ng/dL (12.15–24.98 nmol/L) |
| Age | Female |
|---|---|
|
1 month to puberty |
Less than 10 ng/dL (less than 0.35 nmol/L) |
|
7–9 years |
1–12 ng/dL (0.04–0.42 nmol/L) |
|
10–13 years |
2–53 ng/dL (0.07–1.84 nmol/L) |
|
14–17 years |
8–53 ng/dL (0.28–1.84 nmol/L) |
|
Premenopausal |
10–70 ng/dL (0.35–2.43 nmol/L) |
|
Postmenopausal |
7–40 ng/dL (0.24–1.39 nmol/L) |
The testosterone level for a postmenopausal woman is about half the normal level for a healthy, nonpregnant woman. And a pregnant woman will have 3 to 4 times the amount of testosterone compared to a healthy, nonpregnant woman.
Normal free testosterone levels in men range from 44 to 244 pg/mL (0.68 to 3.76 pmol/L). In women, the free testosterone level may range from 0.6 to 9.2 pg/mL (0.01 to 0.14 pmol/L).
High values
- In men, a high level of testosterone may be caused by cancer of the testicles or adrenal glands.
- In boys younger than 10, a high level of testosterone may mean early (precocious) puberty, a tumor in the testicles, or an abnormal adrenal gland.
- In women, a high level of testosterone may be caused by cancer of the ovaries or adrenal glands or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Low values
- In men or boys who have gone through puberty, a low level of testosterone may be caused by a problem with the testicles, such as slow development of, an injury to, or a lack of testicles. It can also be caused from treatment with the female hormone estrogen, a problem with the pituitary gland, or many long-term (chronic) illnesses.
- A low testosterone level in men can also be caused by certain inherited diseases (such as Klinefelter syndrome or Down syndrome), liver disease (cirrhosis), or treatment for cancer of the prostate gland.
- Chronic alcohol use can cause a low testosterone level.
- In women, a low level of testosterone may be caused by an underactive pituitary gland, Addison's disease, loss of ovary function through disease or surgery, and some medicines (such as corticosteroids or estrogen).
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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