With men, the issue of concern is testosterone deficiency, while with women the concern is
excess testosterone production. A total testosterone may be ordered prior to or along with a SHBG test.
In women, small amounts of testosterone are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Even slight increases in testosterone production can disrupt the balance of hormones and cause symptoms such as lack of menstruation (amenorrhea), infertility, acne, and male pattern hair growth (hirsutism).