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Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome

Men's bodies produce the hormone testosterone in their testes. In men, testosterone helps maintain:

» Bone density
» Fat distribution
» Muscle mass
» Muscle strength
» Red blood cell production
» Sex drive
» Sperm production

What happens to your testosterone level as you age?

Your body's testosterone level peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. Starting around age 40, sometimes younger, your body produces less testosterone. For many men, testosterone levels decline slowly and are not associated with any symptoms. For others the decline in Testosterone levels is more rapid or severe and associated with the effects charted below.

Effects associated with low levels of Testosterone:

» Decreased libido
» Erectile dysfunction
» Loss of bone density/osteoporosis
» Loss of muscle mass
» Reduced muscle strength
» Decreased exercise endurance
» Prolonged recovery time after exercise
» Increase in fat mass
» Memory loss
» Mood changes and depression

Diagnosis and treatment

If you have some or all of the above symptoms and are concerned that you might have Testosterone deficiency, you should talk to your doctor and arrange to have a blood test. A decline in testosterone that falls below normal values may be a reason to take supplemental testosterone. If this is the case your doctor can prescribe a synthetic version of testosterone. Testosterone therapy medications are available as injections, patches and gels.

Do you think that you may be suffering from Testosterone deficiency syndrome?

The AMS questionnaire (developed and validated by Professor Lothar Heinemann) is used frequently by doctors in the diagnosis of testosterone deficiency and monitoring of treatment, based on the total score. If you wish to answer these questions, the total score will be calculated for you. Please note that we are unable to provide medical advice.

For symptoms 1 - 17, select a value from the pulldown lists of between 1 and 5 to represent a severity range from none = 1, mild = 2, moderate = 3, severe = 4 extremely severe = 5.
1. Decline in your feeling of general well-being			10. Decrease in muscular strength (feeling of weakness)
2. Joint pain and muscular ache (Lower back pain, joint pain, pain in a limb, general back ache)			11. Depressive mood (Feeling down, sad, on the verge of tears, lack of drive, mood swing, feeling nothing is of any use)
3. Excessive sweating (Unexpected/Sudden episodes of sweating, hot flushes independent of strain)			12. Feeling that you have passed your peak
4. Sleep problems (difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in sleeping through, waking up early and feeling tired, poor sleep, sleeplessness)			13. Feeling burnt out, having hit rock bottom
5. Increased need for sleep, often feeling tired			14. Decrease in beard growth
6. Irritability (feeling aggressive, easily upset by little things, moody)			15. Decrease in ability and/or frequency to perform sexually
7. Nervousness (Inner tension, restlessness, feeling fidgety)			16. Decrease in the number of morning erections
8. Anxiety (Feeling panicky)			17. Decrease in sexual desire/libido (lacking pleasure in sex, lacking desire for sexual intercourse)
9. Physical exhaustion/lacking vitality (general decrease in performance, reduced activity, lacking interest in leisure activities, feeling of getting less done, of achieving less, having to force oneself to undertake activities)			18. Your age

Tick(check) if you have ever had:- recent weight gain diabetes high alcohol intake adult mumps orchitis other testicular problems persistent urinary infection a prostate operation prostate inflammation vasectomy