Androstenedione - serum
Last updated: Wednesday, 17, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in plain tube. Serum separated and frozen immediately. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | Adult female: 3.5-9.0 nmol/L. |
| Application | Investigation of female hirsutism (it is elevated in 60% of the cases) and virilisation. |
| Interpretation | Increased levels are found with virilising tumours, polycystic ovary syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. AD may also be elevated polycystic ovarian disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and tumors of the adrenals or gonads. AD is not helpful in separating adrenal from gonadal causes of excess androgen secretion. |
| Reference | Hunter MH and Carek PJ. Am Fam Physician 2003; 67(12): 2565-2572. |