Video
An estimated 45% of men in their sixties are thought to suffer from andropause, which is caused by a deficiency in testosterone levels. Symptoms are similar to that of the menopause and include memory loss, hot flushes and insomnia. Here Dr Pixie meets a patient whose sudden mood swings have been affecting life at home. Will HRT gel improve his demeanor?
Yes
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Hi. I am 54 now. At the age of 25 I was told I was unable to have children due to a nil sperm count and under sized testes. I also had no hair on my body except my head and Muscle Tone non-existent. I was informed It was probably due to mumps or whooping cough.. When I was 42 I had a severe case of fatigue, I couldn't stand up, was continually falling over, always asleep and the black moods were dreadful. Countless Hospital tests came back negative. Eventually I was told it was stress related and I had depression. I was given medication and discharged. I had found it hard to have erections. My desire for sex plummeted and I was told that, was due to the depression and medication. Other symptoms began to emerge as well, Dry mouth, dry eyes I was diagnosed with probable Jorgran's Syndrome. In 2007 I moved to a new area and a new GP. I had to have a full medical and in depth discussion with my new Doctor before he would accept me as a patient. He found my Testosterone count was at 1.5 also my cholesterol was at 7.5 Sustanon 250 injections every 2 weeks and 5mg Rosuvastatin worked a treat. Mood swings began to decrease, aches and pains subsided, constant tiredness began to reduce. I managed 10 holes of golf, it was wonderful. It was euphoric and short lived. My level of Testosterone never went higher than 14. But it was better until August 2011 when Sustanon 250 went off production. I was given the Generic Version of Sustanon. Overnight I felt absolutely superb better than ever I could remember. A blood test revealed my Testosterone was at 35. My penis was full size again (Flacid)back to when I was in my twenties. Erections were solid and intercourse with wife marvellous. By now my Male doctor had moved on to pastures new and I had a lady doctor. As soon as she saw my Testosterone Count of 35 she stopped my Injections for fear of inducing Prostate Cancer because of such a high count. I was put onto 4 weekly injections. My count plummeted to 15 in four weeks. Back to feeling awful and just barely existing. I requested a referral to Hospital and she agreed. On 2nd of December I saw the Consultant at my Regional Hospital. The upshot was: my testosterone count needs to be maintained within the range of 32 to 38, my tests have proved my count is best at that level. I need not have had any fears about Prostate Cancer, the Consultant assured me there is no link to high Testosterone or Anabolic Steroids. He also informed me my problems may have been due to Pituitary Gland secretions being incorrect when I was younger. He was surprised my original male Doctor had not tested me for that prior to putting me onto Sustanon 250. The Consultant has suggested I be on this Generic Testosterone Injection every 3 weeks with a blood test taken before each injection until my levels are correct.. I shall keep you informed..........
I was 32 when I was diagnosed with hypogonadism,same disease just in younger men.I too suffered from every symptom in the book.I currently receive an injection that lasts three months called Nebido.It took along time to have any effects and my levels are still not what they should be.I also suffer from other long term health problems which doesn't help.My hypogonadism was discovered when I had a batch of blood tests done to try and pin point the problem.My testosterone levels were nearly at zero,which probably explains why it took so long for things to improve.After the initial diagnosis at the GP I had an appointment with a urologist where I had further blood tests and an MRI scan to check for any pituitary lesions which can cause the same problem.Luckily the scan came back clear.if you suspect you suffer from this disease it's worth speaking to your GP and asking if they will do a blood test.It's easy to find out if there is a problem and treatment can be by gels or injections.Gels are applied every day and injections can be weekly or tri-monthly depending on the product. In retrospect I may well have suffered with the problem well before I was diagnosed.Things weren't right since I was 23,it took ten years to find it.In those ten years I was treated for depression,which is one of the major symptoms.Hypogonadism produces all the deppression symptoms,I suppose one reason I wasnt tested was because I was so young.
I am nearly 32 too and have just been diagnosed with the hypogonadism. I am just about to have blood tests to check my PSA levels before I start treatment with Testosterone Gel. I have been offered the 3 month injection but I want to start on Gel so I can gradually increase the dose myself over the next 2 months as the specialist suggested. I was told that the rage of testosterone should fall between 10-50 and mine was at 9.8 I have suffered with most of the system over the years including depression, tiredness and have for the last 10 years been taking beta blockers for hypertension. I was also was born with undescended testees. The low T was discovered when I discovered a lump in my chest that turned out to be gynacomastia. I then discovered that I have abnormal levels of both Prolactin and thyroid that all stemmed from the low T. Thankfully my MRI scan of the Pituitary glad came back ok so I'm just waiting to start the Gel
I am 70yrs old and have been sufering from extreme fatigue,loss of musculature,in fact all the symtoms which point to low testosterone.I have been to my doctor had blood tests which reported mormal Serum testerone although the value was at the lower end of the range(8.4-28.7)and my free androgen index was reorted as low. My GP admits to have no experience with these results and cannot advise next step. Can anyone provide guidance please
I have just been advised by my Consultant that my Testosterone count needs to be maintained at between 32 and 38 because all men are different. Ask your GP to give you a hospital Referral. According to my consultant, the range of 8.4 to 28.7 is not satisfactory and has been around since 1924. Evidently it was formulated by ten medical students having their blood tested and that is how the Range we use today, was arrived at.
I have very bad sleepless nights and am alway tired, I don't suffer from being bad tempered but do have times of being depressed to a point that I would sit and cry, does this still mean that I might be suffering from a lack of testosterone.
I am on Testogel 5mg sachets which I apply each morning but I still have problems ! admittedly I have not been on it very long. although this is my second try at this product, I have also had Sustanon 250 via injections which did not improve many of my symtoms, I have sleep problems, anxiety issues, and a comtinual burning in the groin , lower legs and soles of my feet , I do not think that lack of Testosterone alone is causing my health problems
Hi, I'm 64 and have suffered with most of the symptoms mentioned for over 10 years. About 3 years ago, I had a big operation for cancer of the oesophagus and since then have been recovering really well, although still suffering from the andropause type symptoms. My concern is that the fact that I had cancer might preclude me from possible TRT treatment.
Will the use of testosterone gel cause prostate cancer to develop or an existing cancer to spread?
Could this be rubbed on your head indtead of your shoulder ?. I can't see any male over 60 complaining about hair growing there .
ive been given this testosterone gel. What they dont tell you is it makes you grow hair where you apply it! Yuk!
I recentlyb saw a Urologist who happily boasted that he did not believe in Andropause and had not treated a case during his 35 years experience. This from the very specialist who should know about this problem!
I mentioned the Andropause, to my GP but he thinks I should just accept that I'm getting older, and accept the symptoms as a sign of this. He implied that TRT could turn me into a frustrated sex maniac, and not to believe all I see on TV or Online.Incidentially I have only just turned 65.
This is almost exactly what I got. Didn't believe in Andropause, had never treated it in 35 years and had no intention of starting now. Generally aggressive and arrogant. A patient had had the cheek to look at the Embarrassing Bodies about Andropause and recognised all his symptons. Final comment was definiterly 'Ageist'. "Go away and learn to grow old'. Who do I complain to? Can this also be seen as a 'Human Rights' issue? Normal sleep is seen a sa 'Human Right'. Is a doctor who denies help with this right in breach of Human Rights?
Hi i'm Mike 53, over the last few years i have become, more angry with home and work, it gets worse in the winter months, it gets so bad at work i get into alsorts of trouble, being very confrontational with both work mates and managers, the slightest little thing will set me off, and likewise at home with my family, i am so tired and always have to make myself get up and do anything, sometimes its a struggle to get up and go to work, and likewise with going to the gym, and my karate class, i am over weight and have diabeties, for which i take tablets, i have tried to diet but all ways get low and can't be bothered , i would love to drop a couple off stone if not 3 or 4, it is getting to the stage where i don't want to do anything at all, i feel i have falled at work at home and as a father. I am taking tablets for mild depresson, which seamed to work, but i have my doubs now as to weather they are still effective, I was wondering if this HRT treatment would work for me, if indeed that is what the provlem is, i would be greatful any advice you could give me.