Reference ranges for total and calculated free and bioavailable testosterone in a young healthy women population with normal menstrual cycles or using oral contraception

• Published in: Clinical biochemistry Vol. 45; no. 1-2; pp. 148 - 150
• Main Authors: Pesant, Marie-Hélène, Desmarais, Guillaume, Fink, Guy D., Baillargeon, Jean-Patrice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.01.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; Contraceptives, Oral - therapeutic use; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Menstrual Cycle - blood; Models, Statistical; Non tumoral diseases; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood; Reference value; Reference Values; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - biosynthesis; Sex-hormone-binding-globulin; Surveys and Questionnaires; Testosterone; Testosterone - blood; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Testosterone; Reference value; Sex-hormone-binding-globulin; Human; Androgen; Menstrual cycle; Healthy subject; Free form; Oral administration; Sex hormone binding protein; Female sterility; Contraception; Polycystic ovary; Normal; Standards; Female genital diseases; Ovarian diseases; Cyst; Young adult; Clinical biology; Testicular hormone; Benign neoplasm; Sex steroid hormone
• ISSN: 0009-9120; 1873-2933
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.10.001

Determine reference values for testosterone in women. 18–40Year-old women with regular menses or using oral contraception were assessed by questionnaire and blood sample. In 155 women, reference values were different between women with and without hyperandrogenism for total testosterone (0.48–3.42 vs. 0.54–2.72nmol/L) and calculated free (3–65 vs. 3–39pmol/L) and bioavailable (0.06–1.35 vs. 0.06–0.81nmol/L) testosterone. Upper reference values for testosterone in women must be established from a well-characterized population. ► 155 Young women with regular menses or using oral contraception were assessed. ► Reference values for total, free and bioavailable testosterone were defined. ► Upper reference values for testosterone were lower in women without hyperandrogenism. ► Testosterone reference values in women must be established from a defined population. ► SHBG reference ranges must be determined only for women not taking OCP.