A4M BOARD CERTIFICATION VOLUME 2
Provide a description of testosterone as it relates to female hormone replacement -
Answers-Testosterone is an androgen. Testosterone is made in the ovaries and adrenal
glands. Only a small amount of testosterone exist in the free form, in other words
available for the body to use. The remainder is bound to sexual hormone binding
globulin.
What are the functions of testosterone in females? - Answers-It decreases bone
deterioration and improve strength of the bone.
It decreases excess body fat.
It elevates Nuro epinephrine in the brain and therefore has an anti-depressant effect.
It increases muscle mass and strength.
It helps to maintain memory.
It increases muscle tone and prevents skin from sagging.
It increases sense of emotional well-being, self-confidence and motivation.
It increases sexual interest or libido
What is the recommended daily dose of testosterone, supplementation and females? -
Answers-Dosing must be guided by laboratory testing.
The dosing range is 0.25 mg cream to 4 mg cream daily with the most common dose
being 0.25 mg to 2 mg daily.
Testosterone should always be used transdermally in most situations.
Apply the testosterone to the thigh and rub in for two minutes and rotate sites.
transference of testosterone can occur for up to 12 hours to humans and animals when
given transdermally
What are the important points to know in administering testosterone in females during
menopause? - Answers-There should be a hormone holiday: after the patient has been
on hormones for six months they will need to take a hormonal holiday every month. This
can be done in various ways. These are as follows:
The first method is to take all the hormones Monday through Saturday and then not on
Sunday.
The second method is to take all the hormones on days one through 25 and then four
days off of all hormones.
If the patient wishes to cycle then have them take all the hormones including
testosterone every day except for progesterone days 14 through 25. This is called mock
cycling.
What other sources will cause elevations in serum testosterone levels - Answers-A
reduction and core intake.
Exercise.
Good sleep hygiene.
Increasing the amount of protein in the diet.
Weight loss of the patient is overweight
, Stress reduction
Taking arginine, loosen or glutamine.
Zinc, supplementation will aid in metabolism of testosterone
What are the important side effects and contraindications of testosterone therapy and
females? - Answers-Do not give synthetic testosterone, also known as methyl
testosterone, due to an increase in the risk of the patient developing liver cancer.
If the patient is low in estrogen and estrogen cannot be replaced, do not give
testosterone alone, because it can increase plaque formation, and coronary vessels and
increase the patient's risk of heart disease.
What are the major science and symptoms of abnormally elevated testosterone levels
and females? - Answers-Acne or oily skin, agitation, anger, anxiety, changes in memory,
decreased HDL, depression, fatigue, fluid retention, hair loss, hirsutism, hypoglycemia,
increased in developing insulin resistance, increased risk for developing breast, cancer,
or other hormonally related cancers, infertility, irregular periods, mood swings, poor
prognosis of the patient has breast, cancer, salt, and sugar, cravings, and weight gain
What are the signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency and females - Answers-
Anxiety.
Decline and muscle tone, a reduction in HDL, decreased sexual drive, droopy eyelids,
dry skin and poor elasticity, dry and thinning hair, fatigue, hypersensitivity, and hyper
emotional states, a reduction in dreaming during sleep, loss of pubic care, low self-
esteem, mild depression, muscle wasting, despite proper calorie and protein, intake,
saggy cheeks, thin lips, weight gain
What are the causes of deficiency of testosterone and females? - Answers-Adrenal
stress or burnout
Oral contraceptive use by increasing sex hormone binding globulin.
Chemotherapy
Childbirth
Cholesterol medication
Depression.
Endometriosis.
Aging process.
Psychological trauma.
Surgical menopause
What are some of the causes of elevated levels of testosterone in females? - Answers-
PCOS.
Perimenopause.
Menopause.
Aggressive exercise program.
The patient is prescribed a dose of testosterone that is too high.