Cape Town - South African track star Caster Semenya has been crucified prematurely, a leading Australian health researcher says.

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It was reported on Tuesday that preliminary testing showed the 18-year-old 800m world champion had three times the normal female level of testosterone.

The tests were conducted after Semenya's radically improved race times prompted doubts about her gender.

But according to the Sydney Morning Herald website, Susan Davis, a doctor and leading women's health researcher at Monash University, said there was a very large range of so-called "normal" testosterone levels that could naturally occur in women.

Professor Davis also said there were medical conditions that might naturally produce higher than average testosterone levels in a woman but in no way constitute gender ambiguity.

"To give (Semenya) the benefit of the doubt there are conditions in women that are associated with higher levels of testosterone that are quite normal (and occur) without them taking drugs or being a man," she said.

The most common such hormonal condition is polycystic ovarian syndrome, which affects between 5 and 10 percent of the population, the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association of Australia says.

"In our society it's treated (with medication) because no one wants to have a hairy face or acne," Professor Davis said.

She said she worked with two female athletes with the condition.

"I have to be careful because, if I treat them to lower their testosterone levels and reduce excess facial hair or something, their sporting prowess diminishes," Professor Davis said.

"But they don't take testosterone, it's their natural biology."

In the absence of definitive test results, it was not possible to rule out that Semenya had a similar condition or naturally occurring higher than average testosterone levels, she said.

"There's always the possibility of testosterone abuse but one doesn't go to the world championships taking it, knowing that if you win you'll be tested," Professor Davis said.

"I think people should hold back a little bit... She might just be a female with biological variations that shouldn't detract from her competing as a female."