The Testosterone Syndrome: The Critical Factor for Energy, Health, and Sexuality--Reversing the Male Menopause

Testosterone therapy can improve the overall health and feeling of well-being of aging men, improving sex drive, mental functions, and energy levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.--Library Journal

I read this book many years ago and found the information in it to be invaluable. I actually found it in my local library and later purchased it. The information and knowledge that Eugene Shippen possesses is extremely life-saving. I found this information at a time when I had a complete hysterectomy and my local doctors were clueless about how to help me because they only knew conventional medicine that I ended up being allergic to every time we tried one. At times I was suicidal because of the hormone imbalance I was going through at that time. I am such an advocate about having your hormones balanced so that your mental, emotional and physical well being is the best it can be. Absolutely life enhancing! I was delighted to find that Eugene Shippen was close enough for me to go see him and this man literally saved my life with his knowledge and understanding of what I needed. This book gave me the information I needed to transform not only my life but the lives of many I have told about it. Being informed is the best advantage to living a healthy life. Many men have no clue that male menopause even exists these days, and the information in this book gives excellent understanding into it's existence. Questing after information to not only improve your life but cause longevity is what Eugene Shippen is all about. I can not recommend this book enough, every man and women should read it to glean information that can changes their lives. This book and the information that it contains is LIFESAVING! Kudos to Eugene Shippen!

I ordered two of the same book and paid for them @ time of order and only received one of the books. I have let the folks know and they said rhey were sent out seperatly !! I got the one over a week ago and still have not received the second one yet. I'm very disapointed !! I have followed up and rhey have assured me that it's coming and I still haven't received it.

VERY DISAPOINTED !!!

Dr. Shippen is generally acknowledged as the leading authority on the treatment of low testosterone. Many patients travel to Pennsylvania to avail themselves of his services, even paying out-of-pocket to do so.

Perhaps his most significant contribution is the idea that if a man has secondary hypogonadism, the most common form, it is vastly superior to stimulate the body to produce more testosterone, rather than adding external testosterone, which will cause the body to sense this unnatural testosterone and immediately shut down production of its own testosterone. This results in shrinkage of the testicles and possible permanent atrophy if the external testosterone is used long enough without a break (you can't add "just a little" testo). Additionally, adding the wrong form of external testosterone can result in a portion of this testosterone converting to estradiol, or estrogen, something highly undesirable. Shippen notes that a man can have normal or even above normal testosterone levels and still feel terrible if their estradiol level is too high.

The current state-of-the-art treatment for secondary hypogonadism is to use clomiphene or HCG to cause the body to increase its own production of testosterone. However, only the most enlightened and experienced doctors who treat low testo use this treatment, as the medical establishment is still stuck in the old way of doing things, simply adding external testosterone if levels are low. You may have to work hard to find a doctor in your area that uses clomiphene and/or HCG, but it can be done. Just start calling all the urologists and endocrinologists in your area and ask them if they use this form of treatment.

To find out if you have secondary hypogonadism vs. primary, you typically get a blood test for levels of LH and FSH. If they are low, the problem is most likely the pituitary gland, and you are a good candidate for clomiphene and/or HCG.

This book was written over ten years ago, when Shippen was just starting to use HCG in the treatment of low testosterone. Consequently, he should publish a revised edition emphasizing clomiphene/HCG treatment as the vastly superior option for secondary hypogonadism, as well as other forms of treatment (such as using DIM) used to reduce the levels of estradiol and keep the critical T/E2 ratio in the proper balance.

Testosterone is not just a sex hormone, it affects virtually all areas of a man's health. Anyone with low levels (a decline in libido is the first sign) who generally feels bad needs to immediately seek treatment. The changes you'll notice after treatment are unbelievable.

The book provided me with all the information I needed for the concerns I had related to testosterone. Easy reading without all the complicated technical and medical terms, which sometimes make it difficult to understand the subject matter.

I've read a few books on testosterone replacement and listened to few "experts". But till date (May 2009), this book remains my primary reference. Let me explain:

* As men grow older, their testosterone level drops down (as sure as their hair would turn grey)

* When testosterone level drops, body muscles start atrophying (that includes the heart muscle, which happens to have the largest density of testosterone receptors)

* Other side effects may include loss of libido, loss of mood, insulin resistance (relationship is yet to be established), etc.

* But supplementing testosterone has always been very tricky. Some programs are toxic to liver. There is a lingering fear that THRT can make BHP worse. Larger dosage can make one very irritable. THRT in general can make the testicles shrink and reduce the ejaculatory volume.

When dealing with a subject that is delicate as testosterone replacement is, you will be very surprised to know how many physicians know very little on the subject; and, this is a terrifying thought, how many of them have got it the exact wrong way.

To start testosterone replacement therapy, I think it is absolutely important that (a) you have a knowledgeable doctor and (b) you have a way to verify that he is not doing the wrong thing.

This book will help you to make sure that the treatment you are getting is in line (and please remember not to become a pain in your doctor's butt). I am yet to find one instance where this book had been off the mark.