t levels tested question

[Larisa]

In order to get your t-levels tested, does one need a diagnosis first or not? Ive never done it before so I would not know.

[StacyRenee]

No. I wouldn't think so. I had my GP/PCP run several tests as part of a physical. I asked her to run a PSA and testosterone/estrogen levels also. But as my insurance still had me as male at the time, my test results were interpreted as such. As I was on HRT for 6 months at the time, my only abnormal test results were low sodium, low testosterone and high estrogen. Hmm, I wonder why? Lol

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[Deborah]

Definitely not.  I asked for mine to be tested once because I was feeling extremely run down and was trying to determine the cause.  So on request the Dr. ordered the blood test.  It turned out that my testosterone was normal and the cause of my problem was something else.


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[Devlyn]

I'm curious why you want to test them? 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Dena]

I think my lab would test it if I requested it. I suspect for insurance to pay for it, I would need a prescription and that would require a doctor needing a reason to run the test. It turns out that T is a pretty common test and Estradiol isn't as common so most any lab can test your T but not all can test E.

[kelly_aus]

I think my lab would test it if I requested it. I suspect for insurance to pay for it, I would need a prescription and that would require a doctor needing a reason to run the test. It turns out that T is a pretty common test and Estradiol isn't as common so most any lab can test your T but not all can test E.

Both are measured using the same test.. Immunoassay, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.. So if the lab can measure T, it can measure E1, E2 and E3.

[Dena]

Both are measured using the same test.. Immunoassay, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.. So if the lab can measure T, it can measure E1, E2 and E3.

For some reason that isn't the case. It might be they use more than one test but I was told my choice of labs would be more restricted when I had estradiol measured however any lab could measure T. Granted the lab that couldn't test estradiol is no longer in business but that's because of issues with a test that I didn't have.

[kelly_aus]

For some reason that isn't the case. It might be they use more than one test but I was told my choice of labs would be more restricted when I had estradiol measured however any lab could measure T. Granted the lab that couldn't test estradiol is no longer in business but that's because of issues with a test that I didn't have.

Then that would be an issue with the lab.. The same process is used for both E and T.

[Cindy]

Both are now measured routinely by any medium-large pathology lab. A clinical request for fertility issues and a request for Androgens, Testosterone, Oestrogen studies, FAI, SHBG would cover all in male and female.  They are measured by immunoassay on biochemistry analysers.

In the past many labs used a radio-immunoassay (RIA) for oestrogen studies that smaller labs would rather not bother with as they need access to an extra machine. RIA have been generally phased out.
No lab would use LC, MS nowadays for such a simple assay.

You need 5 ml of venous blood and fasting is not required. Interpretation needs a clinical workup and maybe a physical examination.