As some of you may be aware, the local government in my area has decided, in its infinite wisdom, that testosterone will no longer be a covered medication under the provincial health care system. Evidently, they do not feel that it is 'medically necessary.' As a result, I will have to stop taking it within a month, when my current supply runs out.

However, there is a small chance that I may be able to appeal this decision. It is because of this that I come to you, for help. I need links or other references to medical studies or literature which show that HRT is something that is essential. Perhaps studies dealing with andropause, hypogonadism, etc?

I already have one or two minor references showing links between low testosterone levels and osteoporosis

here (http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/opmale.html) and here (http://www.urologychannel.com/testoster ... ndex.shtml) but I would like something more official to use as further evidence.

At least the second one also mentions depression & mood disorders as possible results of low testosterone levels. So maybe if my front-on attack doesn't work, I can try again to sneak it through a mental-health department.

For now though, any help would be most appreciative. Thank you all, for reading this, and especially thanks to any of you who help me out with this.

IEunuch.

(Who knows that he'll wind up in hospital within a few months without the shots, but needs evidence to show the govt.)

A quick use of GOOGLE with search words "osteoporosis"and "male" came up with

http://www.applesforhealth.com/maleosteo1.html

I'll do a more comprehensivesearch when I have time later today

IEunuch,

Are you in Canada? If so, which province?

I'm in BC, and the government here is gutting many social and medical services. For instance, we now have to start paying for eye exams, since they don't consider those necessary.

SD

The National Osteoporosis Foundation can be found at...

http://www.nof.org/

They have a page devoted to osteoporosis in men, including the use of testosterone for prevention and treatment, at...

http://www.nof.org/men/index.htm

I'm sure many British Columbians would like to see the Premier

as a non-elective member of this group.

BossTamsin (imported) wrote: Tue Feb 26, 2002 12:11 am I already have one or two minor references showing links between low testosterone levels and osteoporosis

[

I ran your request throught alt.support.menopause (where I am an Honerary Menobabe) and got some interesting replies.

For starters, it would seem that testosterone to prevent osteoporosis may not fly. Even women at elevated risk for osteoporosis get little help.

However, your doctor CAN prscribe testosterone under certain limited conditions. You will have to find the exact text of the announcement and look for loopholes, then work it out with your doctor.

SplitDick (imported) wrote: Tue Feb 26, 2002 8:58 am IEunuch,

Are you in Canada? If so, which province?

I'm in BC, and the government here is gutting many social and medical services. For instance, we now have to start paying for eye exams, since they don't consider those necessary.

SD

Yes, I am in Canada. Yes, I am in BC. Yes, I would like to castrate Gordon Campbell.

And thank you, Andrew, for your help and links. I'm gonna see if this makes a difference in the application.

BossTamsin (imported) wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2002 12:19 am And thank you, Andrew, for your help and links. I'm gonna see if this makes a difference in the application.

By the way, did you get that e-mail I sent you that quoted what a Menobabe posted in alt.support.menopause? If I understand it right, you can still get testostertone if your Physician prescribes it, but you may have to pay for it out of your own pocket.

Well, it does seem that not paying for testosterone is a mistake. I could see not paying for it for men who are marginally low, but for those who are actually fully castrated it seems medically necessary.

If test replacement is something you need lifelong, you might need to consider changing provinces.

Gordon Campbell has certainly made himself hated. He has taken something away from everyone. Unfortunately, there still isn't a viable opposition to vote for.

Andrew (imported) wrote: Wed Feb 27, 2002 6:04 am By the way, did you get that e-mail I sent you that quoted what a Menobabe posted in alt.support.menopause? If I understand it right, you can still get testostertone if your Physician prescribes it, but you may have to pay for it out of your own pocket.

Hmm.... no, haven't seen the e-mail.

And yes, if I could afford it, I could pay for it out of my own pocket. Trouble is, I'm unemployed. I don't have any extra money with which to purchase it. In fact, truth be told, I'm officially considered 'Disabled', and unable to work.

IEunuch.

(Thanks to everyone for helping)