Falsely Elevated Serum Testosterone Levels in a Young Adult Female with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Left Adrenal Adenoma

Abstract

Serum testosterone immunoassay interference may cause falsely high results. We report a case of 20-year-old female with PCOS whose initial serum testosterone levels were more than 10 nM. Further imaging revealed a left adrenal adenoma. During an attempt at bilateral adrenal-ovarian venous sampling at another institution, her peripheral serum total testosterone levels on a different assay platform were surprisingly normal. Subsequently, simultaneous samples performed on three different assay platforms confirmed the presence of assay interference from the originating institution.