032IC - Current Concepts and Controversies in Male Hormone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone is the primary androgenic hormone responsible for nominal growth and development of male sex organs and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. The diagnosis of male hypogonadism depends on both a specified lab value of serum testosterone (300 mg/dl) and related clinical symptoms. There are numerous methods of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), with the goal centered on restoring physiological androgen levels and alleviating clinical symptoms. The treatment depends on the underlying cause, but can be either gonadotropin administration or testosterone supplementation.

For the clinician, it is important to be cognizant of the current controversies regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death). After the fundamentals of testosterone deficiency, laboratory diagnosis and guidelines are covered, individual cases representing each of the controversial areas will be covered in detail.