Laboratory Blood Test: What You Need to Know About This Common Diagnostic Procedure
This test measures the level of androstenedione, a hormone that serves as a building block for testosterone and estrogen, in your blood.
{"Androstenedione is a precursor hormone produced by the adrenal glands and gonads","This test helps diagnose conditions causing abnormal hormone levels like PCOS or adrenal disorders","A blood sample is drawn from a vein, typically in the morning"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 32299-0
- Short code
- ANDRO
- Synonyms
- Androst BS SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum tube or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.6
- Ref high
- 3.1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or Immunoassay
- CPT
- 82157
- SNOMED
- 129759003
- Specimen volume
- 1.0-2.0 mL of serum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days; Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a laboratory analysis of a small sample of your blood or other body fluid. It helps your doctor measure substances in your body, check how well your organs are working, and look for signs of illness even before noticeable symptoms appear.
The androstenedione test measures the amount of androstenedione in your blood serum or plasma. Androstenedione is a steroid hormone produced mainly 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 other important hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.
Your doctor orders this test to help diagnose a medical condition, monitor an ongoing health problem, see how well a treatment is working, or screen for risk factors. The results guide decisions about your care plan and any follow-up testing that may be needed.
Your healthcare provider may order an androstenedione test to help diagnose conditions related to hormone imbalances. These may include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal gland disorders such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumors, early or delayed puberty, and conditions causing excessive hair growth (hirsutism) in women or masculine characteristics.
The test is usually done by drawing a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a thin needle. A trained technician cleans the site, collects the sample into a sealed tube, and sends it to the laboratory. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and most people return to normal activities right away.
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test is usually performed in the morning because hormone levels can vary throughout the day.
Follow any specific instructions your doctor gives you. Depending on the test, you may need to fast for 8 to 12 hours, with only water allowed during that time. Drink plenty of water beforehand, wear a sleeve that rolls up easily, and tell your care team about all medications and supplements you take, since some can affect results.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully. You may need to fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for a certain period before the test. Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, or herbal products you are taking, as some can affect hormone levels. Women should tell their doctor if they are menstruating, as levels may vary during the menstrual cycle.
Reference range
Adult males: 0.6-3.1 ng/mL; Adult females (premenopausal): 0.7-3.0 ng/mL; Adult females (postmenopausal): 0.3-1.7 ng/mL; Children vary by Tanner stage. Values in nmol/L: Males 2.1-10.8; Females 2.4-10.4N/A
No fasting required; specimen should be collected in the morning (7-10 AM) for baseline assessment due to diurnal variation. For premenopausal women, sample collection timing relative to menstrual cycle phase should be documented.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated androstenedione levels may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal tumors, or Cushing's syndrome. In women, high levels can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, excess hair growth, and acne. Low levels may suggest adrenal insufficiency or ovarian failure. The androstenedione test is often used together with other hormone tests (such as testosterone, DHEA-S, and LH/FSH) to get a complete picture of hormonal health.
Frequently asked questions
Does this test require fasting?
Are there any risks with this blood test?
How long does it take to get results?
What do abnormal results mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy