Posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 23, 2003, at 8:58:31
In reply to Re: I have been diagnosed with testosterone deficiency » LostboyinNC34, posted by Larry Hoover on November 23, 2003, at 7:06:19
> > Anyway...I just wanted to get the message out to all the TRD men out there. If youve tried all these stupid monoamine drugs that dont work good, you are 30 or over, get your testosterone levels checked out. You might be surprised.
>
> I did. I am low-T. There are two problems presented, however.
>
> The first is in assessing the actual cause. Testosterone does not act alone. It is in a complex interplay with both its own precursors and metabolites, but also in feedback regulation with at least four other glands, and all *their* hormones. You didn't get low-T in your thirties via a random occurence, an act of God.
>Here in America, the doctors (if you have a decent one that is) will try to determine whether your testosterone deficiency is primary or secondary caused. Primary caused means the problem is directly in your testicles and your testicles are not working normally, not producing enough testosterone.
Secondary testosterone deficiency usually means there are some problems with the hypothalamus-pituitary gland sending out signals to your gonads to produce enough testosterone. Things that can cause secondary testosterone deficiency include pituitary tumors, etc. The only way doctors can determine all this stuff is if they give a battery of blood tests besides the usual free and total serum testostoterone, PSA and Complete Blood Count. They have to order pituitary tests, LSH, LH tests. You cant have a lazy or cheap doctor who cuts corners on lab tests and get an accurate assessment.
Go to the Androgel website it explains all this in specific detail and its a credible source of information regarding this subject.
> The second one is that androgen replacement therapy is by no means a standard treatment, in that there are no established guidelines for when to apply it, and what exactly to apply as treatment. For example, my own test was off-the-scale low by some standards, but low-normal by the one my own doctor wished to apply. Because of this, he would not order further tests (pituitary testing is indicated, but I'm not getting it). An anology to hypothyroid sufferers is probably fair; despite obvious symptoms consistent with the diagnosis, many hypothyroid subjects are denied treatment, or given inadequate treatment, due to the interpretation of hormone levels as falling within the "normal" range.
>Here in America, if you score low on testosterone testosterone replacement is "standard." Its very popular here. I dont know what its like in Canada, you guys seem to have a different system. I do know the testosterone gels and patches are VERY expensive here. Maybe thats why not being treated for it in Canada occurs..the cost. I dont know just a suggestion.
Eric
poster:LostBoyinNC34
thread:282569
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031121/msgs/282781.html