Testosterone: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A testosterone test is done to:
- See why a man is having problems in fathering a child (infertility). A low amount of testosterone can lead to low sperm counts.
- Check a man's sexual problems. A low level of testosterone may lower a man's sex drive or not allow him to have an erection (erectile dysfunction).
- See whether a high level of testosterone is causing a boy younger than age 10 to have early signs of puberty.
- Check a decreased sex drive in a woman. This may be due to the level of testosterone in her body.
- Find out why a woman is developing male features, such as excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) and a deep voice.
- Find out why a woman is having irregular menstrual periods.
- See if testosterone-lowering medicines are working in a man with advanced prostate cancer.
- Find the cause of osteoporosis in a man.
| Last updated: | May 29, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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