Testosterone (total and free), women

What this test is

Testosterone is a hormone women make too, in smaller amounts than men. Testing it is useful if you have signs of extra androgen, like new hair growth on the face or body, or if PCOS is suspected. It is not a reliable way to diagnose 'low testosterone' if your main symptom is low sex drive, tiredness or low mood. That's because the usual blood test isn't accurate at the low levels found in women, and there's no agreed-on number that means 'deficient.' If low sex drive is the concern, there's a specific way to assess that, called HSDD, that doesn't depend on a blood test. Your symptoms are real and worth talking through either way.