: Testosterone, 24-Hour Urine, Mass Concentration

: What This Test Measures

: Testosterone is a hormone produced mainly by the testes in men and by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women, in smaller amounts. A portion of testosterone is processed by the body and eliminated in urine. Collecting urine for a full 24 hours captures all of this output and gives a mass concentration measurement of the testosterone present in the sample.

: Why It Is Ordered

: Your clinician may order this test when there are signs of abnormal hormone production, such as early puberty, unusual hair growth, acne, menstrual irregularities, or fertility concerns. It can also help evaluate adrenal or gonadal conditions that raise or lower testosterone levels.

: How the 24-Hour Collection Works

: You will be given a container and instructions to collect all urine produced over a 24-hour period, usually discarding the first morning sample and keeping everything afterward until the same time the next day. It is important to collect every sample and keep the container refrigerated as directed, because incomplete collection can make results unreliable.

: What the Results Can Mean

: The reported mass concentration reflects the total testosterone excreted in your urine during the collection period. Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, age, sex, and other hormone tests. Values that are higher or lower than expected may prompt further evaluation, but they are not a diagnosis on their own.