Is Testosterone Replacement Safe?

The biggest fear among men and their doctors is that elevating Testosterone will lead to an increase in prostate cancer. Paradoxically men who develop prostate cancer do so when their levels are low, not high. The other question is whether adding T to an existing prostate cancer that is slow growing will speed it up or make a small cancer that is dormant flourish. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, is a urologist at Harvard and a nationally recognized expert on Testosterone replacement. He has studied this extensively and has stated in writing "There is not now-nor has there ever been a scientific basis for the belief that T causes prostate cancer to grow." There is no adverse effect of T on the prostate.

With all of the benefits to health in general it seems that normalizing Testosterone can only have a beneficial effect on a man.

Women's HRT

Just saw a female patient who was having trouble with hot flashes, her mood and loss of energy. We started her on bioidentical hormones six weeks ago and she is ecstatic about the change in how she feels and how she is acting. She told me when people would say good morning to her she said it back but thought "what's so good about it?" Now, she says she means it when she says it. Her hot flashes are also markedly improved. What she really likes is her ability to get a full nights sleep now. That alone she said is worth using bioidenticals.

This story is not new. I've heard it over and over from women. The safety of this type of treatment continues to be documented while the improvement in overall health is enjoyed by women patients.

Benefits of Replacing Testosterone

Studies have shown that replacing lost Testosterone to levels that were present when a man was younger has a host of benefits. The goal here is not to use testosterone in excess but to rebalance the body's level to its natural state when younger and in better health. Energy is increased, muscle mass goes up (substantially if combined with a low carb diet and moderate exercise), belly fat goes down and libido and sexual performance go up. A sense of well being is reestablished and cognitive function is improved. Testosterone lowers cardiac morbidity and decreases inflammatory proteins. In addition normal T levels help prevent Alzheimer's disease. High endogenous T = low mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is a 41% decrease in the chance of dying in men with T>564 compared to 350 at 70 years of age.

Low T Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Low T?

Low Testosterone leads to a host of problems that manifest themselves gradually over time. The process is often so slow that it isn't noticed. The symptoms are chalked up to "aging" and are considered inevitable. These include weight gain (especially around the waist), loss of energy and drive, decreased ability to add muscle at the gym, decreased memory, and decreased libido and performance ability, both athletically and in bed.

Low T leads to increased ageing of the heart and circulation along with increased heart attacks and strokes. The brain also ages prematurely leading to decreased memory and an increase in the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Muscle pain and stiffness in the joints is seen along with a decrease in lean body mass (less muscle) and anemia. Mentally men get " Grumpy Old Man Syndrome": fatigue, tiredness, depression, mood changes and even dysphoria (an uncomfortable mood in response to ordinary life events).

Low T is a lethal disease. It leads to excess fat, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.