Testosterone Deficiency - Medtick
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Testosterone Deficiency

What is it?

When a male has low testosterone levels.

  • It usually affects men ages from late 40- to early 50 years old.

How is testosterone activated and produced

  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release of two gonadotropins — luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)- this is activated and regulated/controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain (if this is not functioning correctly it is known as hypogonadism).
  • This process is initiated at puberty.
  • Testosterone is mainly produced in the testes by Leydig cells; however, around 5% is also produced by the adrenal glands (located on the top of each kidney).

Clinical Pharmacist, CP, July 2019, Vol 11, No 7;11(7):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2019.20206364

  • Testosterone exerts its action through binding to and activation of androgen receptors in the target tissues.
  • It has an important role in the male reproductive system (spermatogenesis requires adequate levels of intratesticular testosterone) and it also influences muscle mass, erythropoiesis(helps red blood cells to be produced) , bone mineral composition, fat metabolism and cognition.

Hackett G, Kirby M, Edwards D et al. British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on adult testosterone deficiency, with statements for UK practice. J Sex Med 2017;14(12):1504–1523. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.10.067

Results:

Testosterone tests should be conducted assessed on two occasions between 7am and 11am in fasting state.

  • If one has total testosterone is <8 nanomol/L and/or free testosterone is <180 picomol/L then consider treat for testosterone replacement therapy.
  • If one has total testosterone between 8-12 nanomol/L then start a trial of testosterone replacement therapy fro six months.
  • If one has total testosterone equal or greater than 12 nanomol/L and/or free testosterone equal or greater than 225 picomol/L then no treatment is needed.

Cause

Syndromes

Medication

Illicit drugs

Symptoms

  • Loss of sex drive?
  • Erectile dysfunction (Low morning and night erection)?
  • Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attacks?
  • Low mood and depressed?
  • Large belly/belly sticks out?
  • Change in size or shape of either or both breasts?
  • Loss of muscle and/or muscle are shrinking?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Lack of energy?
  • Difficulty sleeping and/or lack of sleep?
  • Difficult to concentrate  and/or difficulty in concentrating and/or memory problems?
  • Unproportionable growth, usually increased length of arms and legs compared with the trunk?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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