These
notes are offered as a guideline to new visitors to the Help Centre, and should
only be used as such. They are not definitive, and it should be remembered that,
whatever advice you receive from members of this site, no course of treatment
should be undertaken without the guidance of a Qualified Medical Practitioner.
1. Read as much
as you can on the subject. "The Testosterone Revolution" by Dr
Malcolm Carruthers is an informative, enjoyable read by leading advocate
and practitioner of Testoterone Replacement, and a good place to start. This
book is available in Hardback from the Andropause Society - click here,
or as a free e-book in the help centre - click here
2. Browse the forum - there is a wealth of information on there given freely
by people who know what they are talking about. In particular, use the search
function to read the pre-selected selection of general postings of use to new
people. Please only post specific questions as new topics to the forum. Click
here for the forum and
go to "search the forum" where you will find a variety of search functions
available, especially one for new visitors which presents a selection of
threads addressing basic questions.
3. Start a blog. The blogs are intended for you to keep an event by event record
of your search for wellness for others to see and comment/advise on. Eventually
your blog will become a complete case history, available as a guide and encouragement
to others. Start off by giving a full description of your symptoms/history etc.
Click here for the blogs
4. Go to see your GP. General Practice is becoming more aware of the problems
relating to Androgen Deficiency, and your GP may be able to help you on the
NHS. Specifically, you should ask for a blood test which includes the following
basic components.
Total Testosterone
SHBG
PSA
The important piece
of diagnostic data is NOT the Total but the Calculated Free
Testosterone. This can be obtained from Total Testosterone and SHBG
using the Nomogram which you can print out from the Help Centre by clicking
here.
(tell us
about your experience with your GP on your blog)
5. Due to the inherent difficulties in producing accurate and reliable lab results
for testosterone ( see the article "Validity of Androgen Assays"
- click here
to read) - it is wise not to place too much diagnostic importance on lab results,
and specialists are more and more using symptomatology as a diagnostic tool.
As part of the Help Centre, we have provided a self assessment test, devised
and validated by Prof Lothar Heinemann, and used world-wide by Andrologists
as an accurate indicator for Androgen Deficiency. Click here
for the Self Assessment test
6. So, with a diagnostic
questionnaire score and a blood test capable of calculating your free available
testosterone, you will be in a good position to start your journey to wellness.
The first place to try is always your GP, but if that leads no-where, there
are private practitioners who will be willing to help. Consult the "Doctors
List" in the help centre for a doctor who is a full member of the Society
for the Study of Androgen Deficiency (The Andropause Society). We acknowledge
that this list is far from complete, but we are adding to it all the time. Click
here for the Doctors'
List
