What is Total Testosterone (Female)?
Testosterone in women is produced by the ovaries, adrenal cortex, and peripheral conversion from androstenedione in adipose tissue, skin, and other tissues. The majority of circulating testosterone is bound to SHBG and albumin, with only approximately 1–3% in the free, biologically active form. Testosterone levels fluctuate across the menstrual cycle and decline progressively with age and following oophorectomy. Accurate measurement at the low female reference range requires a high-sensitivity assay — ideally LC-MS/MS.