Frequently Asked Questions

Question

I was thinking of ordering a kit but am unsure whether I need a testosterone check. How would I know before ordering?

Answer

Typically, people order a test kit due to symptoms of hypogonadism or andropause, most notably loss of libido and/or erectile dysfunction. If you are uncertain whether or not a test is required then this ADAM (Androgen Deficiency in the Ageing Male) questionnaire may help:

  1. Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)?
  2. Do you have a lack of energy?
  3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
  4. Have you  lost height?
  5. Have you noticed a decreased enjoyment of life?
  6. Are you sad and/or grumpy?
  7. Are your erections less strong?
  8. Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
  9. Are you falling asleep after dinner?
  10. Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

If you answer yes to either question 1 or 7, or to at least three of the other questions, then you may have low testosterone levels and may benefit from confirming this with a test kit. This questionnaire was developed and validated by researchers at St. Louis University and has been shown to be highly sensitive (88%) at detecting low testosterone in ageing males. Unfortunately the questionnaire has low specificity (60%), mainly due to questions that also identify patients with depression. Nevertheless, because many men with hypogonadism don’t seek medical attention the ADAM questionnaire can be a useful screening tool for clinical symptoms of androgen deficiency.

Of course many people wish to test for a variety of other reasons.

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