Understanding Your Blood Test: Why It Is Ordered, How to Prepare, and What Happens During the Procedure
This test measures androstenedione levels in blood after a stimulation challenge to evaluate adrenal gland function and detect hormonal disorders.
{"Measures androstenedione hormone levels in blood serum","Part of a stimulation test to assess adrenal gland function","Helps diagnose conditions like adrenal hyperplasia or tumors","Involves multiple blood draws over time after receiving a stimulant","Sample is collected by venipuncture"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 16385-7
- Short code
- ANDRO-P9
- Synonyms
- Androst sp9 p chal SerPl-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top serum tube or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–99 years
- Method
- Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or Immunoassay
- CPT
- 82157
- SNOMED
- 10306009
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL serum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 3 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–96 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test and what does it measure in my body?
The androstenedione test measures the amount of androstenedione, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and ovaries (in women). Androstenedione is a precursor to male sex hormones (androgens) like testosterone. This specific test is the 9th blood sample collected after a stimulation challenge, which is typically an ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) stimulation test used to evaluate how well your adrenal glands respond to stress.
Why do I need this test and how will my doctor use the results?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to help diagnose adrenal gland disorders, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a genetic condition affecting hormone production), adrenal tumors, or to evaluate symptoms of excess male hormones (androgen excess) like unusual hair growth or acne in women. The stimulation test helps reveal abnormalities that might not be apparent in baseline hormone measurements.
How should I prepare for this test before my appointment?
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully. You may need to fast (not eat or drink except water) for a specific period before the test. Inform your doctor about all medications you're taking, as certain medications can affect hormone levels. The stimulation agent will be administered at the beginning of the test, and multiple blood samples will be collected over several hours.
What happens during the test, step by step, from check-in to when it is finished?
A healthcare professional will first give you an injection or infusion of a hormone stimulant (typically ACTH). Then, blood samples will be drawn at specific time intervals - this is the 9th specimen, meaning there will be multiple draws. Each draw involves inserting a needle into a vein to collect a small amount of blood. The procedure may take several hours from start to finish.
Reference range
Reference ranges vary by age, sex, and assay method. Post-challenge values should be interpreted in the context of the stimulation test protocol. Consult laboratory-specific reference ranges.N/A
No fasting required. Patient should be in a rested, supine position for at least 30 minutes prior to specimen collection. Medication and supplement history should be documented.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is primarily used to evaluate adrenal gland function and diagnose disorders of androgen excess. Abnormal results may indicate congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), adrenal tumors (benign or malignant), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or adrenal insufficiency. The post-stimulation values are particularly useful because they show how the adrenal glands respond to stress, which can reveal subtle abnormalities not visible in resting hormone levels.
In children, this test may be used to evaluate early or delayed puberty. In adults, it can help investigate causes of hirsutism (excessive hair growth), virilization, menstrual irregularities, or infertility. The results are typically interpreted in conjunction with other hormone tests (such as cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA-S) to get a complete picture of hormonal status.
Frequently asked questions
Is the test painful?
How long does the entire test take?
Are there any risks or side effects?
When will I get my results?
What do abnormal results mean?
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 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy