Testim for Low Testosterone

Testim^® (testosterone gel) is a prescription hormone replacement medication. Treating low testosterone in men is Testim's main use.

 

There are several different causes of low testosterone in men. Normally, testosterone is produced when the testes are stimulated by certain hormone signals from glands in the brain. Low testosterone can occur due to problems in the brain or the testes. This drug can treat either type of low testosterone (whether the problem lies in the testes or the brain) because it does not rely on either the testes or the brain to increase testosterone levels.

 

Testim comes in the form of a skin gel (and is not taken by mouth) because it would have little effect on testosterone levels if taken orally. When medications are taken by mouth, they must first pass through the liver before they reach the bloodstream. The liver metabolizes testosterone extensively before it has a chance to reach the bloodstream, and adequate blood levels of the medication usually cannot be achieved. However, when testosterone is applied to the skin, it bypasses the liver, allowing significant amounts of the hormone to reach the bloodstream.