House Call, MD: Health Carefully Explained

by Rebecca Shatsky, MD 2011 | shatsky@myhousecallmd.com

Since the advent of Viagra, the field of Men’s Health seems to have grown by leaps and bounds. Topics that were once taboo like erectile dysfunction and low libido are now being addressed and treated more effectively than ever before. However, while the field has seen its successes recently, there are still a number of questions that are just beginning to receive the attention they deserve as valid medical issues. One of the most hotly debated topics currently is testosterone deficiency and replacement. Historically, testosterone was used in high doses as an anabolic steroid by athletes and body builders, a practice that was banned in 1990 due to various sports industry scandals. Recently, however, questions have arisen as to whether low doses of testosterone might be helpful for middle aged and elderly men whose testosterone levels have begun to decline due to aging or chronic disease. There are already million dollar ad campaigns plastered all over popular magazines encouraging men to ask their doctors about “low T.”  It’s clear that drug companies are hoping testosterone replacement will be the next big blockbuster moneymaker, but is it the right treatment for those with low testosterone?

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by Rebecca Shatsky, MD 2011 | shatsky@myhousecallmd.com

We hear it all too often, “No, the weight gain wasn’t my fault.  My doctor told me I have a gland problem!”  Seems like a reasonable explanation right?  Mass media around the globe continues to remind you that hormones are involved in weight loss and that glands make hormones so…who cares if I haven’t hit the gym in six months and the pizza place knows me by name.  It has to be my glands that caused me to gain a few pounds last winter, right?

While “glandular problem” is not the technical term, colloquially when someone says they have a glandular problem they are most commonly referring to an underactive thyroid.  In medical-ese we call this hypothyroidism. While it’s usually not a life-threatening condition, hypothyroidism is a fairly common disease that brings with it a variety of negative symptoms including excess fatigue, dry skin, cold intolerance and weight gain (i.e. symptoms that can make you miserable).  Conversely, if your thyroid is overactive, you may develop the opposite symptoms: heart palpitations, anxiety, weight loss and heat intolerance.  What’s amazing about this underappreciated organ is that it can be easily checked with a simple blood test at your doctor’s office and any abnormalities can often be kept at bay with a simple medication.  Before you go running off to your doctor, it’s important to understand what the thyroid gland is and how it works.

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