title: Characteristics of Men Undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Adherence to Follow-up Recommendations in Metropolitan Multicenter Health Care System.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the frequencies of treatment and recommended laboratory follow-up for men with low serum testosterone levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Electronic Data Warehouse was queried to identify men of ages 18-85 years, who obtained a testing for serum total testosterone level from 2009 to 2012. The frequency of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), patient demographics, and clinical characteristics were collected. The frequency of follow-up with serum total testosterone and complete blood count levels was documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 9176 men who underwent testing for low testosterone levels, 3320 (36%) of them were hypogonadal with a mean serum total testosterone level of 194.3 ± 64.9 ng/dL. Of them, 17.7% men were treated with TRTs. The treatment frequency significantly increased from 8.3% in 2009 to 24% in 2012. A total of 4.8% of men of reproductive ages (age, 18-35 years) were placed on TRTs. Within 180 days of initial testing, only 40% of treated men received follow-up with liver function tests and/or complete blood count, and only 49% had a follow-up serum testosterone level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the frequency of TRT is increasing, only a small percentage of hypogonadal men are actively undergoing treatment. A significant proportion of men of reproductive age are being treated with significant impacts on potential fertility. Less than half of the patients treated are being monitored appropriately after testosterone replacement. This highlights the importance of further education for providers prescribing testosterone replacement.
authors: Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Electronic address: Rena.malik@uchospitals.edu.
authors: Rena D
authors: RD
authors: Malik
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL.
authors: Chihsiung E
authors: CE
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL.
authors: Brittany
authors: B
authors: Lapin
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL.
authors: Justin C
authors: JC
authors: Lakeman
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL.
authors: Brian T
authors: BT
authors: Helfand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006268:Health Facilities; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone