Testosterone Prescription

Origin

The practice of testosterone prescription is rooted in the early 20th-century isolation and synthesis of the hormone, followed by its clinical application for deficiency states. The modern regulatory and clinical guidelines, such as those from the Endocrine Society, formalized the diagnostic criteria and ethical considerations for its use. Its status as a controlled substance stems from its potential for misuse and abuse.

Mechanism

The clinical mechanism is to restore serum testosterone concentrations to a physiological range, thereby alleviating symptoms of androgen deficiency, such as low libido, fatigue, and muscle mass loss. The prescription is typically accompanied by a mandatory monitoring schedule to track therapeutic response, evaluate hematocrit levels, and assess the risk of potential adverse cardiovascular or prostate-related events. This careful oversight ensures the optimization of hormonal balance and patient safety.