One of the TDC's friends in Scotland wrote to his MSP Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab) requesting she ask questions of the Minister Shona Robison. The answers received suggest a marked difference in approach knowledge when compared to the British Government. Click Here to compare the two sets of answers. The TDC has launched an e-petition to the British Prime Minister. We urge our visitors from the UK to sign this petition.

Question 1.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the report in 2002 by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists on adult male hypogonadism. (S3W-4173) Question 1.
Shona Robison: We are aware of this report which deals with particular approaches regarding the diagnosis and management of those who may benefit from treatment with testosterone. NHS boards are responsible for the planning and provision of NHS services and for ensuring the treatments provided are safe and effective.

Question 2.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any research suggesting that lower than normal levels of testosterone can cause type 2 diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis in men. (S3W-4174)

Answer.
Shona Robison: We are aware that there is substantial evidence of an association between lower levels of testosterone and some of these conditions. There is no scientific evidence to suggest whether this is a cause and effect relationship.

Question 3.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the use of the free androgen index to establish hormone health in men to be reliable. (S3W-4175)

Answer.
Shona Robison: Scientific evidence suggests that the free androgen index is not a reliable indicator of hormone health in men.

Question 4.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assessment has been made of the possible benefit of using testosterone therapy when treating co-morbid patients. (S3W-4176)

Answer.
Shona Robison: Scientific evidence suggests that in men with specific causes of testosterone deficiency (such as trauma) testosterone therapy can be helpful as opposed to men with relative testosterone deficiency where the benefits of treatment have a weaker evidence base. As with all treatments there are risks and the diagnosis and management of individuals is a matter of clinical judgement.

Question 5.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the male population suffers from testosterone deficiency. (S3W-4177)

Answer.
Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

Question 6.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance is made available to NHS boards on the diagnosis and treatment of testosterone deficiency. (S3W-4178)

Answer
Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has not issued specific guidance to NHS boards on the diagnosis and treatment of testosterone deficiency. The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued guidance in 2004 on testosterone replacement therapies for men with primary or secondary hypogonadism.

Question 7.
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve understanding of testosterone deficiency and its treatment. (S3W-4179)

Answer
Shona Robison: The understanding of testosterone deficiency and its treatment is under active consideration by the scientific community and professional bodies.

The Scottish Parliament appear to be well ahead of the English parliament when it comes to considering Hypogonadism and the changes that need to be made. Given the marked difference in available resources, the TDC does not understand the poor response from the English. The TDC will be putting questions to be asked in the Houses of Parliament at the earliest opportunity.