Is low testosterone treatable? What every man should know

For many men, middle age can bring unexpected challenges like fatigue, low libido and even weight gain. These symptoms might be brushed off as natural parts of ageing, but they are a sign of low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism.

Understanding hypogonadism

Testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining energy, muscle strength, and overall vitality. A gradual decline in testosterone levels is common with age, often referred to as andropause. For some men, this decline can result in significant symptoms that affect their quality of life including reduced libido, fatigue, loss of muscle tone, depressed mood and even difficulties with concentration.

Exploring treatment options

When symptoms of low testosterone disrupt daily life many men start with standard medications prescribed by their regular presciber. While these treatments work for some, they don’t suit everyone.

You might find they’re not effective or tolerable if you:

• Have allergies to excipients in standard medications
• Do not achieve adequate symptom relief with standard treatments
• Are unable to tolerate adverse effects from standard medications
• Require a dosage strength not available

This can be a frustrating experience, leaving you feeling like there are no other options. But that’s not the case.

Compounded medicine, or personalised medicine, can be suggested by your prescriber when conventional treatments aren’t suitable or effective.

What are personalised medicines, and how can they help?

Personalised testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a custom-made approach designed to meet your specific needs. Unlike standard treatments with fixed doses and forms, compounded TRT can be tailored in several ways:

1. Customised dosages – Dosages are adjusted to ensure your body gets exactly what it needs.
2. Alternative delivery methods – Medications can be delivered as topical gels or creams, lozenges, sublingual suspensions or capsules and rapid dissolve tablets.
3. Drug selection – Your medication can include a combination of hormones and other drugs based on your individual requirements.

These adjustments allow your prescriber to create a solution uniquely suited to your clinical needs.

Personalised TRT in action…1

Take the case of Mark (name anonymised for privacy), a man in his seventies who experienced symptoms of hypogonadism, including low libido, fatigue, and a lack of energy. These symptoms affected his daily life, leaving him feeling drained and unmotivated.

Mark had tried standard testosterone treatments, but they didn’t provide the relief he needed. Some caused unwanted side effects, while others failed to improve his symptoms. Frustrated and seeking a better solution, Mark consulted with his prescriber, who recommended a personalised approach to testosterone replacement therapy.

Mark was prescribed a compounded 5% testosterone gel formulated in Atrevis Hydrogel®, a water-based gel designed for effective absorption through the skin. His treatment plan was carefully tailored to suit his specific needs, with the goal of restoring his hormonal balance and addressing his symptoms.

After six months of treatment, Mark reported:

• A significant improvement in his energy levels and libido.
• No adverse reactions to the gel, which absorbed easily without residue or irritation.
• A complete reversal of his symptoms based on a negative score in the ADAM questionnaire (a tool used to assess testosterone deficiency).
• Clinically healthy testosterone levels, confirmed by laboratory results.

This personalised approach provided Mark with the targeted relief he had been searching for, significantly improving his quality of life.

Taking the next step

If you’re struggling to find a suitable testosterone replacement therapy, it’s worth exploring alternative options with your prescriber. You could consider asking your prescriber questions like:

1.”Could my symptoms be relieved with a more targeted medical approach?” This opens the conversation to explore compounded medications.

2. “What makes personalised hormone treatments different for me compared to standard TRT?” This encourages the prescriber to explain the benefits of a customised approach and how it might better address your individual needs.

3. “What options are available for adjusting my current TRT to improve my symptoms?” This prompts the prescriber to consider whether adjustments in hormones, dosages or delivery methods might help alleviate persistent symptoms.
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