Drive for greater awareness on testosterone deficiency syndrome & treatment for better quality of life

PETALING JAYA, May 5, 2008 — Malaysian men who has a girth larger than 90cm should check their testosterone levels or risk suffering from “silent killer” diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. This was the call made by two experts in the field of men’s health to Malaysian men aged 40 and beyond at a media briefing themed “Fit or Fat – The Key to a Man’s Heart” today.

Found in both men and women, testosterone is a hormone that plays a key role in health and well-being, as well as in sexual functioning. However, in men, testosterone is the principal hormone that influences libido, energy levels, and provides protection against osteoporosis.

Highlighting that men aged 40 and beyond should be leading active and fulfilling lives, but that testosterone deficiency can rob a man of his vitality and quality of life, Dr Loh Chit Sin, Consultant Urologist said, “As a man ages, the testosterone level in his body drops about 1.4 percent each year. This eventually results in testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), a medical condition that commonly affects aging men due to the inadequate production of testosterone by the testes.”

Studies have found TDS to be closely associated with osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome, a category of medical disorders that increases a man’s risk of developing ‘silent killer’ diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Revealing that approximately 20 percent of men in Malaysia are diagnosed with testosterone deficiency, Dr Loh explained, “TDS is highly prevalent among men with diabetes as well as those who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), we suspect this condition is still under-diagnosed and as a result, under-treated.”

“For men in the 40 and beyond age group, his girth is a good indication of whether he is suffering from metabolic syndrome and TDS. Asian men whose waist measurement exceeds 90cm should consult their doctor to get their testosterone level checked,” Dr Loh added.

“The symptoms of TDS such as the loss of sexual desire, low energy levels, poor concentration, increased body fats, reduced muscle mass and strength, fatigue, and depression should not be treated as a natural part of aging,” said Dr Jay Lee, Consultant Urologist and lecturer with the University of Calgary, Canada. “These symptoms compromise quality of life. Further to that, men who suffer from ED and diabetes, particularly, should watchful as the prevalence of TDS among men with ED is estimated to be around 20 percent, while 68 percent of men with diabetes suffer from TDS.”

Testosterone therapy has been proven to be the best treatment for testosterone deficiency to date, and TDS can be effectively treated by restoring a man’s testosterone level to the normal range. Treatment options for TDS range from testosterone implants, to oral tablets and injections.

“The commonly used treatment options in Malaysia are oral and injection, particularly the more recently introduced long-acting injection known as testosterone undecanoate (generic name),” shared Dr Loh. “This long-acting injection therapy is a welcomed advancement in the treatment and management of TDS because with oral tables, a man’s testosterone level is not maintained at a constant or within the normal range. Further to that, oral testosterone tablets have to be taken with a fatty meal, failing which the absorption will be unreliable and the man will not fully benefit from the treatment. ”

Dr Lee added, “Testosterone undecanoate has been found to suit the active lifestyles of modern men as it offers an effective, convenient and discreet treatment option for men as it is administered every three months. With treatment, men affected by TDS can regain self-confidence, independence and enjoy a higher quality of life.”

By normalizing a man’s testosterone levels, the negative effects of TDS are reversed – men see improved blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels, lower “bad” HDL cholesterol, as well as improvement in their sexual desire and sexual functions, muscle mass and strength, reduced body fats, better mood, and reduced fatigue and exhaustion.

Mr Ashraf Al-Ouf, Country Manager of Bayer Schering Pharma Malaysia added, ”TDS is like a silent thief that has been robbing men above 40 of their health and vitality. Given that healthcare today is no longer about just preserving life, but about ensuring the quality of life in those years, we are actively driving the awareness and understanding of testosterone deficiency in Malaysia.”

More information on Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS) is available at www.get-back-on-track.com