Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is and Why Your Doctor May Recommend It
This test measures the level of androstenedione, a hormone that serves as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, in your blood.
{"Androstenedione is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes","This test helps diagnose conditions related to excess or deficient male hormones (androgens)","It is commonly used to evaluate causes of irregular periods, excess hair growth, or infertility","The test requires a simple blood draw, typically in the morning when hormone levels are highest","Results are interpreted together with other hormone tests for accurate diagnosis"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 24407-9
- Short code
- ANDRO
- Synonyms
- Androst BS SerPl-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top (serum) tube or serum separator tube (SST); plasma may be collected in heparin or EDTA tubes
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 40
- Ref high
- 150
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or Immunoassay (CLIA/ECLIA)
- CPT
- 82157
- SNOMED
- 269716004
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL serum or plasma (minimum 0.5 mL)
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 6 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–96 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? A laboratory test is a procedure in which a small sample of your blood, urine, or other body material is collected and analyzed to help your doctor check how your body is working, screen for disease, or monitor a condition you already have.
The androstenedione test measures the amount of androstenedione in your serum or plasma. Androstenedione is a steroid hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands in both men and women, and also by the ovaries in women and testes in men. It serves as a precursor (building block) for both testosterone and estrogen, making it an important marker for evaluating hormone-related conditions.
Why do I need this test? Your doctor may order this test to find the cause of symptoms you are having, to screen for a health problem before symptoms appear, to confirm or rule out a diagnosis, or to see how well a treatment is working over time.
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms suggesting abnormal androgen levels. In women, this may include irregular menstrual periods, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), acne, or infertility. In men, it may help evaluate early or delayed puberty, or conditions causing abnormal testosterone levels. The test is also used to monitor certain conditions and treatment effectiveness.
How should I prepare for the test? Preparation depends on the type of test. Some tests require fasting, which means no food or drinks except water for 8 to 12 hours beforehand. Tell your care team about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you take, ask whether you should keep taking your usual medicines, and wear a shirt with loose sleeves if blood will be drawn.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions. Generally, you may need to fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for 8-12 hours before the test. Certain medications can affect test results, so inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking. The test is often performed in the morning because hormone levels can vary throughout the day.
What happens during the test? Most laboratory tests are quick and done in a clinic or hospital lab. For a blood test, a technician wraps a band around your upper arm, cleans your skin, and uses a small needle to fill a collection tube; this usually takes only a few minutes. For a urine test, you simply collect a sample in a sterile cup, and the sample is then sent to the lab for analysis.
A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. You may feel a brief sting or pinch. The blood is collected into a tube and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The entire process takes only a few minutes.
Are there any risks? Laboratory tests are very safe. If you have blood drawn, you may feel a brief sting, and mild bruising, soreness, or slight bleeding at the site is common and usually fades within a day or two. Serious problems such as infection are rare. Contact your doctor if the site becomes red, swollen, or painful, or if bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure.
The blood draw is generally safe, though you may experience minor bruising, bleeding, or dizziness at the injection site. These symptoms usually resolve quickly. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience excessive bleeding or signs of infection.
Reference range
Adult Male: 40-150 ng/dL; Adult Female: 30-200 ng/dL (varies by assay and laboratory). Values vary by age, sex, and phase of menstrual cycle. Baseline refers to a sample collected before stimulation or suppression testing.N/A
No fasting required. For females, sample collection date relative to menstrual cycle phase should be noted. Baseline sample should be drawn before any stimulation testing (e.g., ACTH stimulation). Avoid recent exercise and stress prior to collection.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated androstenedione levels may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, or adrenal or ovarian tumors. In men, high levels may contribute to premature puberty or certain hormonal disorders. Low levels may suggest adrenal insufficiency, ovarian failure, or hypogonadism. Results are typically interpreted alongside other hormone tests (such as testosterone, DHEA-S, LH, FSH, and estrogen) for a complete assessment of your hormonal status.
Frequently asked questions
What do the results mean?
How long does it take to get results?
Can I take my medications before the test?
Do I need to fast before this test?
What conditions are associated with abnormal androstenedione?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy