Testosterone deficiency in men is a common and often complex problem and is also a frequently searched topic on Mid and North Coast HealthPathways.
HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr Hilton Koppe said the HealthPathways team recently created the localised Testosterone Deficiency in Men page in response to the demand for information.
‘The thing about testosterone deficiency is that there can be serious pathological causes, but it can also be as a result of other things, like lifestyle-type factors, and they do get a little mixed up,’ Dr Koppe said.
‘How do you work out which is one of the more potentially serious causes and which is a testosterone deficiency secondary to another condition?
‘This pathway is a step-by-step guide and delineates as clearly as possible how you tell if it’s a more serious cause, or secondary to another condition.
‘It outlines what investigations to do and then how to follow up on those, and clearly indicates where people need referral or when management can be initiated in general practice.’
He said the pathway also clarified Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) prescribing criteria and had information on medications available for testosterone deficiency under the PBS.
Testosterone deficiency in men can make those experiencing it feel tired and depressed and it may also contribute to osteoporosis. The deficiency is often related to:
- age – 50% of men aged 80 and over have low testosterone levels
- problems with the pituitary gland, hypothalamus or testes – including congenital factors such as being overweight, having diabetes, or sleep apnoea.
Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
manc.communityhealthpathways.org
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d