Testosterone Deficiency Program
What is Testosterone Deficiency (TD)?
Testosterone deficiency (TD), or hypogonadism, is a constellation of symptoms resulting from a progressive decline in serum (blood) testosterone levels to an abnormally low level.
Testosterone is the essential hormone in men for sexual desire and sexual function, but it also has important quality of life effects on energy, muscle, bone, cardiovascular health and brain function.
Testosterone levels decline with some medical conditions (like diabetes and obesity), and/or the use of medications (like opioid pain medication). Since testosterone levels can also decline after age 30 or 40 at a rate of approximately 1- 2 % per year, some men may notice symptoms of low testosterone as early as their 40’s or 50’s.
It has been researched that 20% of men over 60 and up to 50% of men over the age of 80 suffer from the clinical diagnosis of TD.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency?
Signs and symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency include:
Sexual Signs and Symptoms
- Reduced sex drive
- Reduced erectile function
Physical Signs and Symptoms
- Reduced energy
- Reduced endurance
- Diminished work performance
- Diminished physical performance
- Loss of body hair
- Reduced beard growth
- Fatigue
- Reduced lean muscle mass
- Obesity
- Change in sleep pattern
Cognitive Signs and Symptoms
- Depressive symptoms
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Reduced motivation
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory
- Irritability
Men who have symptoms of testosterone deficiency and abnormal ADAM Screening will undergo blood tests to determine their testosterone level.
What Are the Causes of Testosterone Deficiency?
Causes of testosterone deficiency (TD) are numerous and are traditionally divided into two main categories: Primary causes and Secondary causes.
In primary hypogonadism, either a congenital (born with it) or acquired (mumps, trauma, radiation) testicular problem exist such that the testes cannot produce enough testosterone.
Secondary hypogonadism accounts for the majority of low testosterone cases. In this type, testosterone level is low as a result of complex physiological and behavioural factors that interfere with the testosterone production in the otherwise normally formed testicles. Common examples of these conditions are obesity, diabetes, head trauma, etc.
How to screen for testosterone deficiency?
There are multiple screening tools employed to screen for testosterone deficiency (TD). ADAM Screening is one of the most widely used questionnaires for this purpose.
Below is a copy of the ADAM test to review:
Adam Test – If you answer yes to multiple questions you may have low testosterone.
- Have you experienced a decrease in your sex drive (libido)?
- Do you lack energy or feel weak?
- Has your strength or endurance decreased?
- Have you lost height?
- Have you noticed yourself enjoying life less?
- Are you frequently sad or particularly irritable?
- Are your erections less strong?
- Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your athletic ability?
- Do you find yourself falling asleep after dinner?
- Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?
You can Take the ADAM Test Now.
How is the diagnosis of Testosterone Deficiency confirmed?
Men who have signs and symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD) and have had abnormal ADAM Screening will undergo blood tests to determine their testosterone level.
The diagnosis of Testosterone Deficiency will be confirmed once a man has low total testosterone blood levels on two separate morning laboratory tests along with symptoms of testosterone deficiency (positive ADAM Screening).
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Testosterone Assessment at Pollock Clinics
Our doctor will evaluate your situation and offer a thorough and accurate assessment of your testosterone levels by checking not just your total testosterone as is most commonly done, but here at our clinic we check as well; your free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin.
This allows for a more accurate assessment of your need for testosterone replacement that is often missed by just checking total testosterone.
If you are found to be testosterone deficient, or if we suspect that you would benefit from testosterone optimization, then we would advise you of our recommendation and then suggest you ask your family doctor to refer you to an endocrinologist or hormone specialist that can offer testosterone replacement therapy.
Please be advised that we do not offer testosterone therapy at our clinic.
Additional Scientific Studies on Testosterone Replacement Therapy
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