Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Risks and Benefits of ‘Low T’ Treatment

Until the FDA provides more definitive guidelines for taking testosterone, I recommend the following steps for your partner:

1. Go to a doctor for a full physical and tests to rule out other potential causes of low testosterone and to learn about medical reasons to avoid the therapy.

2. Have blood testosterone levels to confirm that his are low. Schedule testing for morning hours, when levels tend to peak.

3. If he is obese, inactive, or has a poor diet or thyroid disorders, correct those conditions first and then have him retested for testosterone levels.

4. Start treatment only if his symptoms are proved to have been caused by low serum testosterone levels, and his condition hasn't improved using other remedies.

5. Once he starts therapy, have him get periodic testing to make sure his hormone dose isn't causing extra-high levels of testosterone, and that his other blood factors, such as hematocrit, are within normal parameters.

6. Tell his doctor if he has chest pains, trouble breathing at night or frequent and persistent erections.

7. Have him get regular prostate exams and serum PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests to check for prostate cancer. If he has it, he must end testosterone therapy.

And remember, if your partner has signs and symptoms of low testosterone, he should seek a physician with experience and training in the field of hormone therapy.

For more information and expert advice, visit Lifescript's Men's Health Center.^[1]