Free Testosterone Assay Sensitivity refers to the lowest concentration of unbound, biologically active testosterone that a laboratory measurement technique can reliably and accurately detect. This metric is a critical performance characteristic of an assay, particularly when assessing individuals with low-normal or frankly low testosterone levels, where precision at the lower end of the reference range is essential for clinical decision-making. High sensitivity is necessary because free testosterone constitutes only a small fraction of total circulating testosterone.
Origin
This term is a specific application of analytical chemistry and clinical laboratory science within the field of endocrinology. The assay refers to the method of quantitative analysis, while sensitivity is a standard metric for the detection limit of any chemical measurement technique. Its clinical importance stems from the understanding that free testosterone, not total testosterone, dictates the androgenic effects on target tissues.
Mechanism
The measurement technique, often equilibrium dialysis followed by mass spectrometry, must minimize non-specific binding and background noise to accurately quantify the minute amounts of free testosterone present in the sample. The assay’s sensitivity is mechanistically determined by the signal-to-noise ratio at low concentrations. A lack of adequate sensitivity can lead to falsely reporting a level as “undetectable” or inaccurately low, which can result in missed diagnoses of androgen deficiency.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.