According to the Endocrine Society's Clinical Guidelines "Testosterone Therapy in Adult Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes" to properly evaluate the need for testosterone therapy, clinicians should consider measuring serum testosterone levels when patients report the following manifestations (among others):
According to the Endocrine Society's Clinical Guidelines "Testosterone Therapy in Adult Men with Androgen Deficiency Syndromes" to properly evaluate the need for testosterone therapy, clinicians should consider measuring serum testosterone levels when patients report the following manifestations (among others):
More specific signs -
Reduced sexual desire
Decreased spontaneous erections
Loss of body hair
Very small or shrinking testes
Height loss
Low bone mineral density
Less Specific Signs -
Decreased energy, motivation, initiative and self-confidence
Depression
Poor concentration and memory
Sleep disturbance
Mild anemia
Reduced muscle bulk and strength
Increased body fat
Diminished physical or work performance
The initial diagnostic test should be a serum testosterone level performed in the morning.
They recommend confirmation of the diagnosis by repeating measurement of total testosterone. They also suggest measurement of free or bio-available testosterone level in some men in whom total testosterone concentrations are near the lower limit of the normal range. After a diagnosis is obtained additional tests should be performed including LH and FSH levels to distinguish between primary (testicular) and secondary (pituitary-hypogonadism). Other relevant tests include CBC, CMP, PSA, TSH, T4 Free and Estradiol.
Our Low Testosterone Panel includes:
Total Testosterone
Free Testosterone
FSH and LH
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CPM)
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
T4 - Free
Estradiol
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