TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY - FACTSHEET
Testosterone deficiency is an illness and present in approximately 1:200 of all male births. This number increases to 10% of forty year old men.
Testosterone is the most important hormone in a man's body and very important in a woman's.
Testosterone production can be higher, or lower, than the individual's optimum level. Neither are good.
Testosterone interacts with many other hormones in the body, in the very complex and sensitive endocrine system.
Initial Symptoms of low Testosterone tend to appear "psychological" in nature.
Symptoms of low Testosterone can be hidden by other, unrelated, factors.
Doctors have not been educated in the correct testing procedures, but it isn't their fault.
The setting of a "treatment threshold delays detection and treatment of illness.
Many treatable Testosterone deficient patients remain undetected and at increased risk of long-term bad health.
There is a plethora of new research into the effects of Low Testosterone supplements, almost all are positive, especially with the new Transdermal gels.
There are only four accepted classifications of Testosterone. They are, High, Normal, marginally low, and Low.
Treatable low Testosterone side effects exist between the Optimum level and the "marginally low" levels and are measured by using a "Bio-Available Testosterone" measurement.
Men are notorious for "living" with problems.
Men tend to suffer the side effects of low Testosterone long before they get help.
Very often it is the partner of the patient, who asks for help in dealing with their changing man.
Numerous diseases have a high incidence of Testosterone depletion amongst the patients.
There is new, information to hand which radically alters Testosterone's importance in GP's diagnostic procedures.
The most sensitive measurement of Testosterone is Bio-available Testosterone.
Low Bio-available Testosterone is associated with mood.
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Opinion
THE Testosterone Problem
For many years, doctors have been unable to recognise the symptoms of low Testosterone. A combination of inadequate research, confusing procedures and a certain amount of denial, has conspired to leave Testosterone in the deep recesses of the unknown. In order to better understand Testosterone, much more research needs to be carried out with larger numbers However, as the detection of low Testosterone is historically flawed, finding subjects in sufficient quantities is not very easy. With the advent of new very sensitive testing procedures, doctors will be able to test and treat accurately and the numbers of people on TRT will increase over time. But, what of those who languish with untreated symptoms? Specialists in the diseases indicated with hypogonadism as a significant factor, need to become pro-active in testing patients and educating student doctors, with a slightly modified diagnostic structure, to include Hypogonadism testing as routine.
CONCLUSION
If new practices as outlined by the AACE are to achieve the desired result in the shortest space of time, there appears to be a need to educate the public and General Practitioners.
Very often, in the course of my work, it is the partner who, in desperation, identifies the problem and relates symptoms, normally "psychological" via email. Correct testing ivariably results in TRT.
I conclude that the sooner the symptoms are recognised for what they may be and new testing procedures are followed, the faster research into testosterone will progress.
It is further concluded that it is unsafe practice for a GP to omit TRT testing when presented with "psychological" symptoms by either partner in a relationship and prescribe anti-depressants.
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