Patient perspectives

Sometimes it helps to hear from others. These videos are from real patients who talk openly and honestly about how testosterone deficiency has impacted their lives.

Meet Balbir

Balbir, 49, married with two children. When Balbir started experiencing symptoms that included deteriorating sugar levels and cardiovascular health, difficulty maintaining a steady weight, and decreased sexual function, he decided to take action and talk to his GP. Balbir discusses his journey to diagnosis and the positive effects that treatment has had on his health and his life.

Meet David

After experiencing problems with his prostate and erectile dysfunction, 85 year old David received some tests which revealed he had low testosterone. Here, David talks about the impact the condition had on his mental health as he battled feelings of shame and embarrassment. He urges men to open up and talk about testosterone to access treatment and improve their quality of life.

Meet Matt

After years of struggling with his weight, a routine blood test showed that 54 year old Matt had low testosterone. His low libido had significantly affected his marriage, mental health and all aspects of his life. After believing that there was no hope, Matt discusses his treatment journey and reflects on how many other men may be in a similar situation to him.

Meet Mark

Patient: Mark, 59 years old

I really believe in optimum health, not just good health. I recognize that the health services are not going to provide for me unless I take proactive steps myself. For quite some time, I've been taking my bloods privately every three or four months, monitoring all the minor things I can do, like cholesterol levels. I discovered that my testosterone was lower than I would like it to be. I identified some of the symptoms, like feeling a bit lethargic and flat. These things creep up on you slowly, so it's not like it happens overnight. Reduced testosterone can make you feel a bit flat and not full of energy.

The treatment made an immediate impact. I've been on the treatment for probably three years now. It's a lifelong commitment, but it's an injection I have to have once every three months. My levels of testosterone maintain throughout that period. It's a slow-release medicine, and I find it to be a really consistent and sensible way of having testosterone administered.

Once I started the treatment, I felt better. I don't feel flat, and I'm generally quite high energy. I do a lot of gym, dog walking, and keep myself quite fit. All that improved very quickly after the first dose. The nature of the treatment is consistent. There's no great peaks and troughs. It's a slow-release delivery mechanism over three months. I don't find any diminished quality of life toward the end of the cycle. It just works as it should.

I always find myself talking to people and suggesting this course of action. I think taking the bloods is exactly the right place to start. Before you fill your car with petrol, you check the level. If your testosterone levels are in the right place, there's no need to do anything. But many people have diminished levels and should be proactive.

If I could give advice to another person who might be testosterone deficient, it would be to get a comprehensive blood test done. Once you know what the levels are, you can make a decision about whether it's optimal for your age range. Armed with that evidence, you can ask your GP to prescribe the treatment. 

I think people should take responsibility for their own health. Healthcare professionals should be diligent in looking after their patients’ best needs. There are lots of people who would benefit from this kind of treatment.

I don't like injections, but what matters is feeling happy, having a good quality of life, and enjoying life. All those things outweigh any slight inconveniences. I think patients should be more empowered and better informed so they can be more active in their health care.

Many people would benefit from this treatment. I feel in great shape, healthy, and full of energy.