It is just a number. Medical question.

[Mcstealth]

Wow. I wondered why I was feeling dog tired all the time. I finally talked to my doctor. He ordered tests on hormone counts. Well, I basically had none. The doctor wondered how I was staying awake.

So the question is related to my medical. Do I just up and say to the doc that I now have a low "T" count?

I know some would warn me about asking these kind of questions on a public forum. I understand the concern. If I was a die hard, 200 hr a year GA pilot, which I am not, I wouldn't ask the question.

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

[kmyfm20s]

I would also do a home sleep test. Sleep disorders obviously would make you tired but also can result in low T. You also don't have to snore to have a sleep disorder. Home sleep test are easy to take and give some good information.

[carusoam]

I skipped going to the doctor because I didn't want to risk losing my medical...

There are so many ways to get a 'special' class III medical, but you have to be alive to get one.

Then you can join the team to help eliminate the class III medical.

It is most important to follow up with your doctor to figure out how to maintain your health AND your ticket.

Don't skip one for the other.

My number was related to cholesterol. Hiding from the doctor was not my best plan.  It was similar to flying with thunderstorms and the potential for ice.

Best regards,

-a-

[cliffy]

You do need to report any doc visits (except maybe colds and flu stuff) and give reason why on your next Class 3.

You also re required to "self evaluate"  your medical condition before every flight and ground yourself if you determine that you don't meet Class 3 standards. Both can have heavy repercussions.

They do have ways of checking these days.

I would think the risk of not reporting and your license is far greater than the risk of reporting it. 

I just had my first instance of an "issue" with reporting after 50 yrs and it comes down to a "medical flight test" and not a SODA.

And yes they can be a PITA. Come on with the cancell of the 3rd Class medical.  In my opinion, they will never let that happen. Why? Because too many in the medical section of the FAA will lose their jobs if the 3rd class goes away. And they would lose too much "control". 

It's not  a safety issue, it's a control and jobs issue. 

[1964-M20E]

You do need to report any doc visits (except maybe colds and flu stuff) and give reason why on your next Class 3.

You also re required to "self evaluate"  your medical condition before every flight and ground yourself if you determine that you don't meet Class 3 standards. Both can have heavy repercussions.

They do have ways of checking these days.

I would think the risk of not reporting and your license is far greater than the risk of reporting it. 

I just had my first instance of an "issue" with reporting after 50 yrs and it comes down to a "medical flight test" and not a SODA.

And yes they can be a PITA. Come on with the cancell of the 3rd Class medical.  In my opinion, they will never let that happen. Why? Because too many in the medical section of the FAA will lose their jobs if the 3rd class goes away. And they would lose too much "control". 

It's not  a safety issue, it's a control and jobs issue. 

You are correct it is a control issue.  Look a the changes they are making to PBRII it keeps the feds involved.

We need to get the class iii legislation through but the way congress works it is w wonder the can get to the bathroom. 

 

I'd have not problem keeping the physical requirements Class I, II & III if the Feds were out of the picture.

 

 

 

 

[WilliamR]

McStealth, first, as Cliffy noted, you do need to provide info on any doctor visits when completing the paper work for your medical.  However, I can give you some anecdotal evidence with regard to your medical status and low T.  I have had one student that had low T and was on Testim.  They had no problem getting a 3rd class medical cert. from my AME.  No, "special issuance" etc. He was in his late 30s. 

I also know two or three older (60-70) year old pilots that take Androgel.  They have no problems keeping their medical with no "special issuance" etc.  They go to a different AME than my student did.  So, I know of two AMEs that are fine with low T treatment.

I have been told by all, that once you get your levels to normal, you will feel like you can take on the world.  If you haven't found out why you have low T, you should probably be tested.  I seem to remember being told that the low T could have been a symptom of a larger pituitary gland issue. 

Never thought this would be one of the things I would learn as a CFI.  Note, I am not a doctor, just a dumb investment banker who learned this stuff to help one of my students. 

 

W

 

[DXB]

Impossible to give individual medical advice, but here's some general points:

-Normal testosterone levels in adult men fluctuate, spanning a wide range.  The average level gradually declines with age.

-Replacement of testosterone for levels that fall within this wide normal range is presently a huge fad. It has led to practices that range from the questionable to the absurd and potentially dangerous. A lot of quackery in this arena presently.  One might not even have a real abnormality worth reporting.

-Assuming someone has a level that falls well below this very wide normal range, it cannot be interpreted as the direct cause of severe fatigue and daytime somnolence.  

-If the level is really unusually low,  evaluation from a reputable endocrinologist, not a primary MD, is best.  There are serious medical causes for low testosterone that could also cause the fatigue. I would not ignore it.  I would also flee from any MD who simply wants to start someone on testosterone replacement without investigating further under such circumstances.

-As suggested above, sleep apnea is a very common cause of severe fatigue and daytime somnolence and can also lower testosterone levels, although I wouldn't think to "I don't have any" levels - not really my expertise though. Regardless, the sleep apnea question is worth pursuing with your doctor.  Keep in mind sleep apnea can be very treatable - if it's managed adequately, there's no reason it should diminish you as a pilot.

- I personally wouldn't say anything to an AME until the problem has been fully evaluated.  It sounds like don't have a real diagnosis yet.  If not, there is nothing to tell him.  But further evaluation may be important to you regardless of any risk to your medical.  

[kortopates]

Sometimes its a little tough to find out if a particular condition could be dis-qualifying for a medical. However Low T is not. But as all us "diehard 200 hr/year GA pilots" know, its really simple to just go to the AOPA medications database and look up the medication to see if there is an issue. So check it out at http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Medical/Medications-Database  if you search for Testosterone you'll find its not issue, just as long as there are no adverse side effects - same as any medication. So don't worry about it and just report it as a prescribed medication assuming you begin taking it. If you're still concerned, give your AME a call to discuss.

But after all that good medical advice above, I am you'd be feeling much better if you simply prescribed yourself a lot more GA flying!

 

Trade Name	FAA Allowed	Drug Classification	Treatment For	FAA Allowed Based On	Web Link
Testosterone  testosterone cypionate		testosterone supplement	low testosterone	no adverse side effects

[DXB]

Testosterone replacement itself carries no risk of impairing pilots- hence the allowed status in the FAA database. Likewise, the normal aging related decline in testosterone levels that it is often used to "treat" are not a pilot impairing issue. In this case, there is no real diagnosis and thus nothing to report to an AME.  

However severely low testosterone levels caused another medical condition are a potential issue - this is quite rare, but if this is the situation, then a serious underlying medical condition needs to be pursued. In this case I would sort it out with a good endocrinologist but say nothing unless and until there is a real diagnosis.

[Mcstealth]

We have done the obligatory blood test on the Pituitary gland and associated Testosterone triggers. So far, all we see is a low "trigger" from the pituitary.

Oh well.

 

DF

[Danb]

Mr  Mcstealth, I don't think it would be an issue, I have been on replacement T therapy for about 12 yrs, and put in on my med. the Ame just asked how I felt any side effects then end of discussion.