Getting a diagnosis
Depending on the health care system of the country you are living in, there are several ways to get a diagnosis for testosterone deficiency. Visiting your family doctor is always a good first step. If necessary, they can refer you to a specialist. Those specialising in men’s health are generally and . However, increasingly, many general practitioners and internists are also specialising in male health issues.
Your appointment will involve a medical assessment during which your doctor may perform a physical examination and take a blood sample for laboratory tests.
When you attend the appointment with your doctor, take along the results of your to save time and help establish an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor may ask about:
- any previous diseases (e.g. inflammation of the testes)
- any previous relevant operations which can influence your testosterone production
- any risk factors such as systemic diseases and certain types of medication
- your lifestyle, including exercise, diet, stress and alcohol consumption
- your ability to maintain an erection
- the occurrence of morning erections
- your sexual satisfaction
- the amount of
- the frequency of sexual intercourse or masturbation.
The doctor may also check:
- body hair pattern
- muscle mass and strength
- the hardness and size of your testicles
Taking a blood sample
Your doctor may want to determine your blood testosterone level more accurately. For this, you will need to give a small amount of blood to be sent off to a laboratory for analysis. This is best taken in the morning, as blood testosterone levels are at their highest then.
If you have a testosterone concentration between 11 and 35 nmol/l, you are considered normal. Testosterone treatment is recommended if your morning testosterone is below 11 nmol/l. (Vermeulen A, Kaufmann JM: Diagnosis of hypogonadism in the aging male. Aging Male 2002; 5: 170-176.)
The blood concentrations of the pituitary hormones will also be measured. The levels of these hormones indicate whether the testosterone deficiency is due to a disturbance of testicular function or of the .
