In April this year, the PBS made changes to who can receive PBS for testosterone treatment. These changes are due to uncertainty about the significance of low testosterone in older men and concerns about over-prescription in this setting. Prior to these changes, testosterone could be prescribed by GPs however now prescriptions for testosterone therapy require validation by an endocrinologist, urologist or member of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine. This means that a patient will need to see one of these specialists and the specialist needs to agree that this treatment is necessary and meets one of the indications, […]
Archive for October, 2015
PBS changes to testosterone treatment
By Stuckey • October 28th, 2015Fact check: Can low carb, high fat cure your diabetes
By Stuckey • October 21st, 2015
The promoters of the film “Cereal Killers” have been posting a quote indicating that a high fat, low carbohydrate diet would cure (apparently instantly) diabetes. We have not seen the movie so we will be looking at this claim without any surrounding context since that is how the promoters released it. Pharmaceutical Companies The first thing about this claim that pharmaceutical companies profit heavily from antidiabetic medications is certainly true. Diabetes management is the second most profitable therapy area for pharmaceuticals after oncology 1. Several diabetes medications are also top sellers worldwide 2. In fact, we frequently run clinical trials for new diabetes […]
After Menopause: Combating the middle age spread
By Stuckey • October 14th, 2015Menopause, also known as ‘the change of life’ or ‘the change’ is a natural event in a woman’s reproductive life. Usually occurring between the ages of 45-55 years, in Australia the average age a woman reaches menopause is 51-52. Menopause marks the end of ovulation and monthly menstrual periods, which can be either a liberating experience or a cause of sadness, depending on your viewpoint. Some women can experience early menopause naturally, due to surgery, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), or after certain treatments for cancer. The physical and emotional symptoms experienced during menopause are caused by a reduction in oestrogen, […]
Coeliac Disease: New research indicates it is a silent cause of bone loss
By Stuckey • October 7th, 2015
Preliminary findings from the Keogh Institute’s study into osteoporosis and coeliac disease have been presented at the Australasian Menopause Society’s 2015 conference. The study has reaffirmed that coeliac disease can act silently and present via other medical conditions. Although it is considered that people with coeliac disease should be presented via gastric symptoms, our study found this not to be the case. In fact, nearly half of our participants with coeliac disease did not recognise any symptoms prior to diagnosis. When coeliac disease continues untreated damage occurs to the digestive system which prevents nutrients from being absorbed. This chronic malabsorption can result in a […]