Position statement: Utility, limitations, and pitfalls in measuring testosterone: an Endocrine Society position statement.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the current state of clinical assays for total and free testosterone.


METHODS
The five participants were appointed by the Council of The Endocrine Society and charged with attaining the objective using published data and expert opinion.


METHODS
Data were gleaned from published sources via online databases (principally PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Google Scholar), the College of American Pathologists, and the clinical and laboratory experiences of the participants.


METHODS
The statement was an effort of the committee and was reviewed in detail by each member. The Council of The Endocrine Society reviewed a late draft and made specific recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Laboratory proficiency testing should be based on the ability to measure accurately and precisely samples containing known concentrations of testosterone, not only on agreement with others using the same method. When such standardization is in place, normative values for total and free testosterone should be established for both genders and children, taking into account the many variables that influence serum testosterone concentration.
Rosner
William
W
St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1000 Tenth Avenue, AJA 403, New York, New York 10019, USA. wr7@columbia.edu
Auchus
Richard J
RJ
Azziz
Ricardo
R
Sluss
Patrick M
PM
Raff
Hershel
H
D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone