Testosterone Deficiency

Symptoms   

• fatigue
• lethargy
• depression
• impotence
• loss of libido
• muscular weakness
• decreased shaving frequency 

Signs   

• loss of body, facial and pubic hair
• gynecomastia (increased breast tissue)
• smooth, fine wrinkly skin, especially face
• reduced testicular volume   

Long Term Risk

• Osteoporosis can occur in untreated patients, leading to increased risk of hip and spine fractures.

Testosterone replacement therapy

Who are the best candidates for testosterone replacement therapy? Men should only be treated if the blood tests show low level of testosterone. The average male produces 4-7 mg of testosterone per day in a circadian pattern. Evaluation of potential candidates for testosterone replacement therapy should include a complete medical history and hormonal screening. When the blood testosterone levels are normal, it means that treatment will not help in relieving the symptoms. Men with the primary hypogonadism are best candidates for testosterone replacement therapy. Men who have prostate cancer or breast cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. Successful management of testosterone replacement therapy requires appropriate evaluation and an understanding of the benefits and risks of the treatment. Legally, the use of testosterone to improve athletic performance or correct short stature is potentially dangerous and inappropriate.

There are many pros and cons of this treatment. It is proven that several symptoms can benefit significantly from this therapy. Some of those are:

• Low sex drive
• Problems with erections
• Reduced muscle mass and bone density
• Depression

Testosterone could be applied several ways!

What is the ideal hormone replacement therapy? Well, it is the therapy that produces and maintains physiological serum concentrations of the hormone stabile without significant side effects.

Injections

This is the most effective way of testosterone application. The hormone is injected directly into the muscle and patient should know that there are several possible side effects. The most common are pain from the injection, and a change in energy level, mood and sex drive.

Transdermal patches

It is best when these patches are applied to the skin on testicles, but, they can be applied almost anywhere on the body. They are very easy to use. They don’t cause any disadvantages accept maybe local skin irritation.  The non-scrotal patch, known as Androderm, is meant to be worn on the arm or torso.

Gel

Gel, known as Androgel, is applied to the skin once a day. It has one disadvantage only - it is really expensive!