Reference ranges for total and calculated free and bioavailable testosterone in a young healthy women population with normal menstrual cycles or using oral contraception.
OBJECTIVE
Determine reference values for testosterone in women.


METHODS
18-40 Year-old women with regular menses or using oral contraception were assessed by questionnaire and blood sample.


RESULTS
In 155 women, reference values were different between women with and without hyperandrogenism for total testosterone (0.48-3.42 vs. 0.54-2.72 nmol/L) and calculated free (3-65 vs. 3-39 pmol/L) and bioavailable (0.06-1.35 vs. 0.06-0.81 nmol/L) testosterone.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper reference values for testosterone in women must be established from a well-characterized population.
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Université de Sherbrooke, 12th Avenue North, Fleurimont, Québec, Canada J1H 5N4.
Marie-Hélène
MH
Pesant
Guillaume
G
Desmarais
Guy D
GD
Fink
Jean-Patrice
JP
Baillargeon
D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone