Is it necessary to check the level of total testosterone in patients referred for intracavernosal injection?

Abstract

It is recommended to test total testosterone in the blood (BT) in patients who are evaluated for erectile dysfunction Our aim was to assess the need for a BT test in patients referred for ICI treatment. Medical records of men evaluated at the ED clinic and were referred for ICI training/ treatment were reviewed for BT levels. 55 consecutive medical records of patients planned for injections between 11.2019-05.2020 were examined. In four patients testosterone values ​​were below 0.5 nmol/liter. All 4 were on hormone therapy due to prostate cancer, therefore these patients were excluded from the analysis of the results. Out of the remaining 51 patients, six had BT levels ​​of 1.7-8.1 nmol/liter and were considered hypogonadal, one patient had a borderline BT level of 10.2 nmol/liter. In the other 44 patients, BT levels ​​were >10.3 nmol/liter and were defined as eugonadal. Thus, in 86% of patients, BT levels were within the normal range. In the age of economic medicine today, when cost is a significant component in the set of medical considerations, we believe that there is no need to re-examine testosterone levels in patients referred for ICI training. Apparently patients but have already undergone "screening" of testosterone levels by the attending physician. It is possible that a normal testosterone level in the blood causes a preserved sexual desire and is responsible for the aspiration and desire of the patients to continue invasive treatment of the second line by ICI. No conflict of interest