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Testosterone Test

Bioavailable Testosterone Testing

Measures total available testosterone to be used by the body.

How is the test performed?

Blood sample
How to Order

FAQs

What is Bioavailable Testosterone (BAT) and why is it important?

Testosterone in the blood is either bound or free:

  • Most testosterone is bound to the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is a protein that is primarily produced by the liver.
  • Free testosterone is all remaining testosterone that is not bound to any substance.
  • Bioavailable Testosterone is all testosterone that is not bound to SHBG (including albumin-bound and free testosterone).

A test for Bioavailable Testosterone can indicate the reproductive health of all individuals. Declining testosterone levels (also known as androgen deficiency) can be the cause of erectile dysfunction and mood changes in the male sex. In the female sex, higher testosterone levels can be an indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a hormone issue that can occur during reproductive years that can cause cysts (small sacs of fluid) to develop along the outer edge of the ovary. The cysts contain immature eggs called follicles and the follicles fail to regularly release eggs in individuals with PCOS. Complications of PCOS can include menstrual abnormalities, infertility, gestational diabetes, miscarriage, or premature birth, to name a few.

What is a Bioavailable Testosterone Test?

Bioavailable Testosterone testing measures the total amount of testosterone available to be used by the body – both free testosterone and albumin bound testosterone. Bioavailable testosterone concentration is calculated by using total testosterone (measured by immunoassay) and the binding constant of testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and/or albumin.

Who should get tested?

If you are experiencing difficulty with becoming pregnant, or with any of the symptoms below, you should speak to your healthcare provider about whether a Bioavailable Testosterone test is right for you.

Your healthcare provider may also order a BAT test if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Erectile disfunction, mood changes, and hypogonadism in the male sex
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and hyperandrogenism in the female sex
When is this test ordered?

A test for BAT may be ordered for declining testosterone levels (known as an androgen deficiency) which can be the cause of erectile dysfunction and mood changes in the male sex. In the female sex a test may be ordered if they have higher testosterone levels as this can indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome or related conditions.

Your healthcare provider may recommend Bioavailable Testosterone testing from LifeLabs if a diagnosis of hypogonadism is being considered in the male sex and mild hyperandrogenism is being considered in the female sex.

It may also be used to monitor testosterone or anti-androgen therapies in all older individuals.

How can I get tested?

Testing is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Center or via our mobile lab service through a simple blood sample. You will require a completed test requisition from your healthcare provider.

You can order the test online by clicking here.

Understanding your results

Test results will be provided directly to your doctor for discussion with you. Your doctor will receive the results within 1 day of being received in the laboratory.

Sources
  1. Adapted from Medline Plus https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/
  2. Adapted from BC Gov Testosterone Testing – Protocol
  3. Adapted from Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439

FAQs

Overview

Most testosterone is bound to the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). However, Bioavailable Testosterone is all testosterone that is not bound (includes albumin-bound and free testosterone).

A test for Bioavailable Testosterone (BAT) can indicate the reproductive health of all individuals. Declining testosterone levels (also known as androgen deficiency) can be the cause of erectile dysfunction and mood changes in the male sex. In the female sex, higher testosterone levels can be an indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

This test may also be used to monitor testosterone or antiandrogen therapies in older individuals.

How to order and submit a sample

Samples for BAT testing may be taken at any of our Patient Service Centres. Healthcare provider needs to indicate ‘BAT’ in the ‘Other Tests’ section of the requisition form.

Cost

BAT is an uninsured test in Ontario. The cost is $67.

Payment may be made by the patient at one of LifeLabs Patient Service Centres at the time of sample collection. For convenience, Visa, Mastercard and Debit Cards are accepted.

Receiving results

Results will be available within 1 day of being received in the laboratory.

Request a medical consult

We have a wealth of medical experts available to support you in interpreting test results.

Consults with our experts are available upon request. Request medical consultation.

Sources
  1. Adapted from Medline Plus https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/testosterone-levels-test/
  2. Adapted from BC Gov Testosterone Testing – Protocol
  3. Adapted from Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439

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