Testosterone, Total, MS

Send Outs
  • Test Code: LAB1232313
  • Interface Code: 1232313
Department: Send Outs
Last Updated: 2/20/2026

Synonyms

LAB2111222 | QUEST: 14966 | total testosterone, total test, mass spec testosterone

Specimen Collection

Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Blood

 

Container(s): Gold Top (Serum Separator-SST Gel) or Red Top (no gel)

Minimum Volume to Collect: 3.0 mL

 

Collection Instructions:

  • After collection, gently invert tube 8-10 times.
  • Specimen should be processed within 2 hours -- See Processing Instructions.

Processing Instructions

Laboratory, Outpatient or Off-site collection

Processing Instructions:

  • Specify age and sex on test request form.
  • Red-top tube (no gel): Allow blood to clot at room temperature. Centrifuge to separate the serum from the cells and immediately pour serum into a plastic transport tube.
  • Serum separator tube: Allow blood to clot at room temperature, centrifuge, and remove serum from the gel immediately (not to exceed 48 hours) by pouring serum into a plastic transport tube.

Processed Specimen: 1 mL Serum (Minimum volume: 0.5 mL)

Centrifuge/Spin: Yes

Aliquot: Yes

 

Transport Instructions

Transport Container: Transport tube

Transport Temperature: Room temperature

 

Rejection Criteria

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic

Specimen Stability and Storage

 

  • Room temperature: 7 days
    Refrigerated: 21 days
    Frozen: 2 years

Performed

Quest Diagnostics Laboratory

Reference Range

 

Reference Range(s)

AgeMales (ng/dL)Females (ng/dL)
Cord Blood* 17-61 16-44
1-10 Days* ≤187 ≤24
11-30 DaysNot establishedNot established
1-2 Months* 72-344 ≤17
3-4 Months* ≤201 ≤12
5-6 Months* ≤59 ≤13
7-11 Months* ≤16 ≤11
1-5 Years ≤5 ≤8
6-7 Years ≤25 ≤20
8-10 Years ≤42 ≤35
11 Years ≤260 ≤40
12-13 Years ≤420 ≤40
14-17 Years ≤1000 ≤40
≥18 Years 250-1100 2-45
*Data from J Clin Invest 1974;53:819-828 and J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1973;36:1132-1142

 

Clinical Information

Testosterone, Total, MS - Helpful in assessing testicular function in male and managing hirsutism, virilization in females.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics 

Methodology

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

CPT Code

84403

Resources and References

 

Test FAQ

Hypogonadism

Test FAQ

Testosterone Testing

Algorithm

Adult Male Hypogonadism Diagnostic Algorithm

Clinical Focus

Hypogonadism and Low Testosterone in Men: Laboratory Support of Diagnosis and Management

Clinical Focus

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Test Guide

HIV Infection: Laboratory Testing for Diagnosis and Management

 

Clinical Reviewed Date

2/18/2026