Our experiments clearly show that the lacrimal gland is an androgen-dependent organ.

[Dog2012]

Good artical


Our experiments clearly show that the lacrimal gland is an androgen-dependent organ. Thus, it seems most reasonable to predict that replacement of androgens during and after meno- pause could help to prevent or cure dry eye associated with primary lacrimal deficiency and, perhaps, prevent initiation of Sjogren's autoimmunity.
http://www.iovs.org/content/40/3/592.full.pdf

[LaDiva]

I am using 0.5 testosterone and 0.5 progesterone eyedrops. They help, but have not fixed the problem. I have not enough tears, not enough oil and ocular rosacea. I'd hoped the drops would have helped the oil glands but have only noticed a minimal improvement, and have been using them for almost two months. I am a woman.

[spmcc]

I think there's more to it than that. Here's a little list I've been making on receptors in the MGs, lacrimal glands, ocular surface etc...

1) Estrogen receptors in MGs http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10647739
2) Androgen receptors in MGs http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12114274 (David Sullivan)
3) Prolactin receptors in lacrimal glands http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10433857
4) P2Y2 receptors on the ocular surface http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664386/ (full text)
5) andrenergic receptors (conjunctiva) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11527940

This paper by David Sullivan (http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC3208384/) explains a little how complex it is:

One of the most striking characteristics of the meibomian gland is its rich sensory, sympathetic, and parasympathetic innervation. Indeed, this tissue is the only human sebaceous gland that has such innervation, with adjacent nerve fibers reactive for acetylcholinesterase, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), dopamine β-hydroxylase, nitric oxide synthase, tyrosine hydroxylase, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Furthermore, as recently reported, the mouse meibomian gland contains mRNAs of receptors for serotonin, adrenergic, CGRP, cholinergic, dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, NPY, neurotensin, and somatostatin. It is quite possible that these nerves and, if translated, neurotransmitter receptors play a significant role in the regulation of the meibomian gland. However, this possibility is completely speculative. It is unknown whether neurotransmitters are released into the vicinity of the meibomian gland, act on glandular receptors, or induce a physiological effect.

[Dog2012]

I did use the eye drops you are taking about ...but just systematic not local application helped me a bit ..

[LaDiva]

Thanks Dog. What did you take?

[patientpatrick]

So would Testosterone supplements help men too then? Would they be in drops or taken orally? I'm aquaeous def. and have MGD.

P

[DCRdryeye]

I believe a systemic approach is best. Using Androgen drops and a supplement combined.

For men, a Testosterone supplement will only help if levels are low, thus testing is required. This is where (unfortunately), the medical system seems to be flawed. Doctors only test serum 'blood' for Testosterone levels and most of it (96%) is not bioavailable because it's bound to SHBG. If you are at a certain level you'll be deemed suitable or not suitable for Testosterone. But it's based on an unreliable test that predicts 'bound Testosterone'.

Free Testosterone is tested via the saliva and measures the amount of free Testosterone within the cells. It's far more accurate and it's amazing how many men have a low reading for free Testosterone. But the medical profession doesn't recognize 'free Testosterone' testing and so it's a bit tricky to boost low levels. It can be done via a doctor working within an integrated medical practice alongside naturopaths and complimentary medicine. An online search for 'Bioidentical hormones' should find you a practitioner.

[bakunin]

I believe a systemic approach is best. Using Androgen drops and a supplement combined.

For men, a Testosterone supplement will only help if levels are low, thus testing is required. This is where (unfortunately), the medical system seems to be flawed. Doctors only test serum 'blood' for Testosterone levels and most of it (96%) is not bioavailable because it's bound to SHBG. If you are at a certain level you'll be deemed suitable or not suitable for Testosterone. But it's based on an unreliable test that predicts 'bound Testosterone'.

Free Testosterone is tested via the saliva and measures the amount of free Testosterone within the cells. It's far more accurate and it's amazing how many men have a low reading for free Testosterone. But the medical profession doesn't recognize 'free Testosterone' testing and so it's a bit tricky to boost low levels. It can be done via a doctor working within an integrated medical practice alongside naturopaths and complimentary medicine. An online search for 'Bioidentical hormones' should find you a practitioner.

I did saliva test because of my chronic fatigue. I had low cortisol, testosterone and some other hormones. In blood test the level of them all was 'ok'. My diagnostic was 'adrenal fatigue' You can make saliva test through mail: http://www.canaryclub.org/
Mine I did in clinic.

[bakunin]

I would like to add that if you do the saliva test by yourself and the results show your hormone levels are lower than normal, you should not take medicines, hormones by yourself. Taking hormone can make things worse, since your glands may stop producing them.
In my case the doctor prescribe me vitamins and other natural stuff in amounts to help my adrenal glands function.