Clinical Laboratory Test: What You Need to Know About Testing and Sample Collection

This test is a laboratory analysis performed on a sample collected from your body, such as blood, urine, or another specimen. Your healthcare provider uses the results to help diagnose a condition, monitor an ongoing illness, or screen for health problems before symptoms appear.

The androstenedione test measures how much of this hormone is in your urine over a 24-hour period. Androstenedione is a steroid hormone produced by your adrenal glands (above your kidneys), ovaries (in women), or testicles (in men). It serves as a building block for testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.

Your doctor may order this test to confirm or rule out a suspected condition, check how well an organ such as the kidneys, liver, or thyroid is working, monitor how well a treatment is working, or complete a routine checkup to detect potential health issues early.

Your doctor may order this test if you show signs of having too much male hormone (androgen), such as: irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), acne, or male-pattern baldness in women. It can also help evaluate adrenal gland function or detect certain tumors.

Sample collection depends on the type of test ordered. For a blood sample, a trained professional will clean the site, draw blood from a vein in your arm, and apply a bandage afterward. For a urine sample, you will receive a sterile container and instructions for a clean-catch midstream collection. Follow any preparation instructions from your provider, such as fasting, and mention any medications you take.

You will receive a special container from your healthcare provider. On the morning of collection, urinate into the toilet as usual. For the next 24 hours, collect ALL urine in the container. Keep the container refrigerated or in a cool place. Return the container to the lab as instructed, typically within 24-48 hours of completing the collection.

This test is very safe. If your blood is drawn, you may feel a brief sting when the needle is inserted, and mild bruising or soreness at the site can last a day or two. Serious complications such as infection or excessive bleeding are rare. Providing a urine or other noninvasive sample carries essentially no risk. Contact your provider if you have persistent bleeding, increasing pain, or signs of infection.

This test has no physical risks. The main challenge is accurately collecting all urine for 24 hours. Inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you take, as some can affect test results.