An Overview of Testosterone Gel Uses
Testosterone gel (
AndroGel®,
Testim®) is a prescription hormone replacement medication for men. It is approved for treating certain causes of low testosterone levels.
Common symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low sex drive (libido)
- Fatigue and low energy
- Decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass
- Problems with erectile function
- Decreased bone strength
- Depression.
There are many different causes of low testosterone levels in men. Normally, this hormone is produced when the testes are stimulated by certain signals from glands in the brain. Low testosterone levels can occur due to problems in the brain or the testes.
Testosterone gel can treat either type of low testosterone levels (whether the problem lies in the testes or the brain), because it does not rely on either the testes or the brain to increase hormone levels.
Of course, a man could have all these symptoms and still have normal testosterone levels, as most of these symptoms are relatively common. The only real way to diagnose low testosterone levels is by actually measuring levels in the blood.
How Does Testosterone Gel Work?
This medicine is used as a gel because it would have little effect on testosterone levels if taken by mouth. When medications are taken by mouth, they must first pass through the liver before they reach the bloodstream.
The liver metabolizes testosterone extensively before it has a chance to reach the bloodstream, and adequate blood levels of the medication usually cannot be achieved. However, when testosterone is applied to the skin, it bypasses the liver, allowing significant amounts of the hormone to reach the bloodstream.
