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A Guide to Testosterone Supplementation for
Older Men
By James Occhiogrosso, N.D., Posted May 4, 2008
Testosterone is an extremely important hormone
for the overall health of the human body and
particularly critical for male sexual ability,
libido, and satisfaction. Recent studies have
shown testosterone deficiency contributes to
reduced muscle mass, reduced bone mass, male
breast enlargement, depression, atherosclerosis,
increased risk of development of Alzheimer’s
disease, anemia, and diabetes, and increased
overall mortality from all causes. Using an
herbal supplement to support your body in
producting more testesterone can be very
rewarding, especially if your levels are low.
This article tells you how.
Testosterone replacement therapy for senior men
beneficial
Men's Health News, Published: Tuesday,
8-Apr-2008
The risk of osteoporosis (bone fracture) in
women is highly recognized by the public. Less
appreciated is the fact that the disorder also
occurs in men. Some two million males have been
diagnosed with osteoporosis and another three
million are at risk. Gender-based hormones and
age are thought to be major factors behind bone
fractures in both sexes.
Low testosterone levels linked to depression in
older men
Men's Health News, Published: Tuesday,
4-Mar-2008
Older men with lower free testosterone levels in
their blood appear to have higher prevalence of
depression, according to a report in the March
issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Low Free Testosterone Concentration as a
Potentially Treatable Cause of Depressive
Symptoms in Older Men
Osvaldo P. Almeida, et al, Archives of General
Psychiatry, Vol. 65, No. 3:283-289, March 2008
This study of 3987 men found that men with
depression were one-and-one-half times
more likely to have low total testosterone
levels and nearly three times more likely to
have a low free testosterone level.
Low Serum Testosterone and Mortality in Older
Men
Gail A. Laughlin, et el, Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 93, No.
1:68-75, Jan 2008
Testosterone insufficiency in older men is
associated with increased risk of death over the
following 20 year period, independent of
multiple risk factors and several preexisting
health conditions.
Endogenous Testosterone and Mortality Due to All
Causes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer in
Men
Kay-Tee Khaw, et al, Circulation. Vol.
116:2694-2701, Nov. 2007
Testosterone concentrations in men are inversely
related to mortality due to cardiovascular
disease and all causes. Low testosterone may be
a predictive marker for those at high risk of
cardiovascular disease.
Estrogen, Not Testosterone, Levels Differ
Between Black and White Men
Reuters Health, Aug. 23, 2007, by Martha Kerr
Black men
have higher serum estradiol levels than white
men, and both have higher levels than
Mexican-American men, researchers report.
Contrary to the "postulated racial difference,"
they found, testosterone concentrations did not
differ between black and white men.
Low levels of testosterone may increase the
long-term risk of death in men over 50 years old
Men's Health News, Published: Tuesday,
12-Jun-2007
Low levels of testosterone may increase the
long-term risk of death in men over 50 years
old, according to researchers with the
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at
the University of California, San Diego School
of Medicine.
Testosterone and Ageing: What Have We Learned
Since the Institute of Medicine Report and What
Lies Ahead?
Medscape.com — M. M. Miner, A.
D. Seftel, Int J Clin Pract. 61(4):622-632,
Posted 05/21/2007 A 2003 report by the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) surveyed the
literature on the benefits and risks of
testosterone replacement therapy in older men
and identified knowledge gaps and research
needs. This review summarizes some key studies
published since the IOM report. The possible
relationship of testosterone to risk of prostate
cancer remains a concern; however, no new
evidence has emerged to suggest that
testosterone replacement therapy increases the
risk. Recent studies have demonstrated that
hypogonadism in men may be more prevalent than
previously thought, is strongly associated with
metabolic syndrome, and may be a risk factor for
type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Clinical studies have shown that testosterone
replacement therapy in hypogonadal men improves
metabolic syndrome indicators and cardiovascular
risk factors. Maintaining testosterone
concentrations in the normal range has been
shown to contribute to bone health, lean muscle
mass, and physical and sexual function,
suggesting that testosterone replacement therapy
may help to prevent frailty in older men. Based
on current knowledge, testosterone replacement
therapy is unlikely to pose major health risks
in patients without prostate cancer and may
offer substantial health benefits. Larger,
longer-term randomised studies are needed to
fully establish the effects of testosterone
replacement therapy.
Testosterone May Be Neuroprotective for Men With
MS
Medscape Medical News May 17, 2007 By: Susan
Jeffrey A small exploratory trial shows that treatment
with testosterone gel was safe and well
tolerated by men with relapsing remitting
multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and was associated
with some improvement in cognitive performance
and slowing of brain atrophy over a 1-year
period. However there was no effect on
gadolinium-enhancing lesion numbers or volume on
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results
are published in the May issue of the Archives
of Neurology.
"Overall, in this first trial of testosterone
treatment in men with RRMS, the treatment was
shown to be safe and well-tolerated and led to
increases in lean body mass," the researchers,
with first author Nancy L. Sicotte, MD, from the
David Geffen School of Medicine at the
University of California, Los Angeles, conclude.
"In addition, exploratory findings reported
herein suggest a possible neuroprotective effect
of testosterone treatment in men, which warrants
further investigation."
Low serum testosterone levels independently
associated with fall risk in elderly men
Men's Health News, Published Sunday, 15-Apr-2007 Prolonged hypogonadism may result in erectile
dysfunction, decreased libido, anemia,
sarcopenia, memory loss, bone mineral loss, and
the metabolic syndrome. While a low serum
testosterone level is well-known for its
association with osteoporosis, the impact of
hypogonadism on overall physical functioning and
fall risk has not been prospectively evaluated.
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Total sleep time affects morning testosterone
levels
Men's Health News, Published
Monday, 2-Apr-2007 The testosterone levels of
healthy men decline as they get older. As sleep
quality and quantity typically decrease with
age, objectively measured differences in the
amount of sleep a healthy older man gets can
affect his level of testosterone in the morning,
according to a study published in the April 1st
issue of the journal SLEEP.
Low testosterone common in type 2 diabetic men
Reuters Health — Source: Diabetes Care,
April 2007.
Men with type 2 diabetes, particularly those
who are obese, often have low levels of
testosterone, making them susceptible to sexual
dysfunction, research indicates.
Androgen deprivation therapy may increase
risk of death from heart disease in older
men.
From: Men's Health News — Monday,
26-Feb-2007
Androgen deprivation therapy - one of the
most common treatments for prostate cancer -
may increase the risk of death from heart
disease in patients over age 65, according
to a new study.
Obesity,
illness speed testosterone decline
Reuters
Health — Source: The Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism, February 2007.
Gaining too much weight can accelerate the
decline in testosterone levels that accompanies
aging, a new study shows. "Although hormone
declines appear to be an integral aspect of the
aging process, rapid declines need not be
dismissed as inevitable," the researchers
conclude. Men's testosterone levels fall as they
get older, which may contribute to health
problems such as diabetes, loss of bone and
muscle mass, and sexual dysfunction, Dr. Thomas
G. Travison of New England Research Institutes
in Watertown, Massachusetts and colleagues note
in a report in The Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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