Clinical Information

Testosterone is the major androgenic hormone. It is responsible for the development of the male external genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics. In female patients, its main role is as an estrogen precursor. In both sexes, it exerts anabolic effects and influences behavior.

In men, testosterone is secreted by the testicular Leydig cells and, to a minor extent, by the adrenal cortex. In premenopausal women, the ovaries are the main source of testosterone with minor contributions by the adrenal glands and peripheral tissues. After menopause, ovarian testosterone production is significantly diminished. Testosterone production in testes and ovaries is regulated via pituitary-gonadal feedback involving luteinizing hormone (LH) and, to a lesser degree, inhibins and activins.

Most circulating testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which, in men, is also called testosterone-binding globulin. A lesser fraction is albumin bound and a small proportion exists as free hormone. Historically, only free testosterone was thought to be the biologically active component. However, testosterone is weakly bound to serum albumin and dissociates freely in the capillary bed, thereby becoming readily available for tissue uptake. All non-SHBG-bound testosterone is therefore considered bioavailable.

During childhood, excessive production of testosterone induces premature puberty in boys and masculinization in girls. In women, excess testosterone production results in varying degrees of virilization, including hirsutism, acne, oligomenorrhea, or infertility. Mild-to-moderate testosterone elevations are usually asymptomatic in male patients but can cause distressing symptoms in female patients. The exact cause for mild-to-moderate elevations of testosterone often remains obscure. Common causes of pronounced elevations include genetic conditions (eg, congenital adrenal hyperplasia), adrenal, testicular, and ovarian tumors, and abuse of testosterone or gonadotrophins by athletes.

Decreased testosterone in female patients causes subtle symptoms. These may include some decline in libido and nonspecific mood changes. In male patients, it results in partial or complete degrees of hypogonadism. This is characterized by changes in male secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive function. The cause is either primary or secondary/tertiary (pituitary/hypothalamic) testicular failure. In men, there also is a gradual modest but progressive decline in testosterone production starting between the fourth and sixth decade of life. Since this is associated with a simultaneous increase of SHBG levels, bioavailable testosterone may decline more significantly than apparent total testosterone, causing nonspecific symptoms similar to those observed in testosterone-deficient women. However, severe hypogonadism, consequent to aging alone, is rare.

Measurement of total testosterone is often sufficient for diagnosis, particularly if it is combined with measurements of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (LH / Luteinizing Hormone [LH], Serum and FSH / Follicle-Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Serum). However, these tests may be insufficient for diagnosis of mild abnormalities of testosterone homeostasis, particularly if abnormalities in SHBG (SHBG1 / Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Serum) function or levels are present. Additional measurements of bioavailable (TTBS / Testosterone, Total and Bioavailable, Serum) or free testosterone (TGRP / Testosterone Total and Free, Serum) are recommended in this situation.

For more information see Steroid Pathways