6 ms·

Last year I got my hormone levels checked for the first time (normal), and I'm going to continue to do so yearly to keep track. Given how important it is, it's

Last year I got my hormone levels checked for the first time (normal), and I'm going to continue to do so yearly to keep track. Given how important it is, it's really surprising to me that testosterone levels aren't part of regular health exams/bloodwork panels - I had to convince my doctor add it on.

JamesBarney 7y ago
Because the only real fix is giving the patient testosterone which has very real stroke risks.
- Axsuul 7y ago
  Citation? If you are deficient in testosterone, replacing it is giving your body what it needs.
  - draw_down 7y ago
    I found plenty of sources for that claim very easily using something called Google. Come on.
  - JamesBarney 7y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen_replacement_therapy#Adverse_effects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen_replacement_therapy#A...
    - Axsuul 7y ago
      There are also lots of conflicting studies like this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26248567/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26248567/
- nabla9 7y ago
  Only slightly increased risk in the first two years https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20190723/testosterone-therapy-may-threaten-the-heart https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20190723/testostero...
- rexpop 7y ago
  > the only real fix is What an irresponsible statement. Science has not yet exhausted the frontiers of biomechanics.
  - JamesBarney 7y ago
    No reason to test for a condition now for a future better fix. Test in the future.
nradov 7y ago
Hormone levels fluctuate significantly from day to day based on a variety of factors so a single snapshot testosterone level test doesn't really tell you anything useful (unless it's way outside the reference range). If you suspect a deficiency then you'll need multiple tests over weeks taken at different times of the day in order to get a reliable diagnosis.
- shpongled 7y ago
  Yeah I'm aware. Didn't suspect anything wrong, just wanted to get a baseline established while I'm young
lowTthrowaway54 7y ago
Right, and even then, different doctors/specialties have different standards for what counts as low testosterone. My primary swore up and down that my 300 was fine (and even 200 would be) but men's clinics would insist I need to be at 900.
- castlecrasher2 7y ago
  I'm not sure I'd agree with the men's clinics that will probably more easily sell you appointments for test. prescriptions, but on the other hand LabCorp recently lowered their average range because of the declining measures in the population: https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 I think assuming this is the new norm for humans is a mistake, and should instead be treated as a widespread health issue.
castlecrasher2 7y ago
You might know this but be aware that lab testing companies have lowered the acceptable range of testosterone from 348-1197 ng/dL to 264-916 ng/dL, a ~25% decrease. Source: https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476

JamesBarney 7y ago

Because the only real fix is giving the patient testosterone which has very real stroke risks.

Axsuul 7y ago
Citation? If you are deficient in testosterone, replacing it is giving your body what it needs.
- draw_down 7y ago
  I found plenty of sources for that claim very easily using something called Google. Come on.
- JamesBarney 7y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen_replacement_therapy#Adverse_effects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen_replacement_therapy#A...
  - Axsuul 7y ago
    There are also lots of conflicting studies like this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26248567/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26248567/
nabla9 7y ago
Only slightly increased risk in the first two years https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20190723/testosterone-therapy-may-threaten-the-heart https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20190723/testostero...
rexpop 7y ago
> the only real fix is What an irresponsible statement. Science has not yet exhausted the frontiers of biomechanics.
- JamesBarney 7y ago
  No reason to test for a condition now for a future better fix. Test in the future.

nradov 7y ago

Hormone levels fluctuate significantly from day to day based on a variety of factors so a single snapshot testosterone level test doesn't really tell you anything useful (unless it's way outside the reference range). If you suspect a deficiency then you'll need multiple tests over weeks taken at different times of the day in order to get a reliable diagnosis.

shpongled 7y ago
Yeah I'm aware. Didn't suspect anything wrong, just wanted to get a baseline established while I'm young

lowTthrowaway54 7y ago

Right, and even then, different doctors/specialties have different standards for what counts as low testosterone. My primary swore up and down that my 300 was fine (and even 200 would be) but men's clinics would insist I need to be at 900.

castlecrasher2 7y ago
I'm not sure I'd agree with the men's clinics that will probably more easily sell you appointments for test. prescriptions, but on the other hand LabCorp recently lowered their average range because of the declining measures in the population: https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 I think assuming this is the new norm for humans is a mistake, and should instead be treated as a widespread health issue.

castlecrasher2 7y ago

You might know this but be aware that lab testing companies have lowered the acceptable range of testosterone from 348-1197 ng/dL to 264-916 ng/dL, a ~25% decrease. Source: https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476 https://www.labcorp.com/assets/11476