Can Testosterone Be Good for You?

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Can Testosterone Be Good for You?

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e_good_for_you.html_

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good_for_you.html)

 

Bio-Identical Testosterone Treatment for Both Men and Women

 

Dear Readers,

 

Many anti-aging specialists are finding that natural bio-identical

testosterone creams (not to be confused with high dose synthetics injected

illegally

by some athletes) keep those over 50 years old younger and healthier—and this

is for both men and women! A rapidly expanding collection of research is

showing that optimizing testosterone in men:

 

1. Decreases the risk of heart disease, including angina, and helps reverse

heart disease when present—while lowering cholesterol levels .

 

2. Improves insulin sensitivity, thus improving blood sugar control in

diabetics as well as decreasing a major cause of heart disease and diabetes

called

" metabolic syndrome. "

 

3. Improves muscle mass.

 

4. Improves libido and sexual function.

 

5. Decreases depression.

 

 

In women, optimizing testosterone along with using safe BIO-IDENTICAL

estrogen

_http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n/Hormones-safety_effectiveness_bio\

identical_hormones.html_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n/Hormones-safety_effectiveness_bio\

identical_hormones.html) and progesterone

seems to work the best, helping energy, libido and overall well being. As is

usually the case, be sure to use bio-identical hormones. When looking at the

overall safety and effectiveness data, one finds that treating testosterone

deficiency in men (called " Andropause " ) as well as in women can help you feel

young and vital late into life!

 

Doctors at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers also specialize in

bio-identical hormone replacement as do many Holistic physicians. Optimizing a

low or

low normal testosterone level can also have marked benefits for those with

CFS and Fibromyalgia. For those of you who would like more details, let's look

at the issue more closely.

 

The Reproductive Glands

 

Many people going through midlife develop fatigue, poor libido or

depression.74 This includes men and women alike. Researchers have found that if

the

estrogen and testosterone levels in females or the testosterone level in males

is low, a trial replacement of these hormones can bring about dramatic

improvement and is therefore worth considering. An under active adrenal gland

can

aggravate this problem.

 

Low Testosterone—Not Only a Male Problem!

 

Low testosterone is associated with many problems, including fatigue,

depression, poor stamina, osteoporosis, muscle wasting, diabetes, high

cholesterol,

weight gain and poor libido. Low testosterone, classified as being in the

lowest 20 percent of the normal range, is a major problem in 70 percent of my

male patients with CFS and Fibromyalgia. The severity of the problem has

worsened, as men's average testosterone levels have dropped by 16 percent over

the

last 15 years.75 Although testosterone levels are normally much lower in

females, deficiencies in women cause similar problems. Testosterone is critical

in females as well as males, and I find low free testosterone levels in most

female CFS/FMS patients as well. It is important, then, to check the free, or

unbound, blood testosterone level in both men and women. This measures the

active form of the hormone. A serum (or total) testosterone level measures

mostly the inactive storage form of the hormone. Inactive (total) testosterone

levels are often normal despite an inadequate level of the critical active

(free) testosterone.

 

Optimizing testosterone levels can result in many benefits in people with

CFS and Fibromyalgia. After six to eight weeks, the effect of treatment is

often marked. Benefits include:

 

1. In women with Fibromyalgia, a study done by Professor Hilary White of

Dartmouth University showed that giving natural testosterone decreased fatigue

and pain.76

 

2. Fibromyalgia and CFS are associated with decreased red blood cell levels.

Testosterone supplementation is a highly effective way of increasing the

blood cell levels.

 

3. Testosterone can improve libido which is low in 73% of CFS and

Fibromyalgia patients.77-79

 

4. Testosterone increases bone density, therefore decreasing the risk of

osteoporosis.80

 

5. Testosterone improves mood and decreases depression.81

 

6. Testosterone increases muscle strength and decreases fat levels.

 

7. Research has shown that men who have low testosterone are at greater risk

of premature death. For example, one study which followed men over 40 years

old for five years found that the men with low testosterone levels were 88

percent more likely to die during that period.82, 83

 

8. Low testosterone is associated with an increased risk of high

cholesterol, angina84, 85 and diabetes.86

 

9. Chronic fatigue syndrome has been associated with a possible decrease in

the heart's ability to pump blood, and testosterone improves heart

function.87

 

 

As is the case with most hormones, keeping testosterone levels optimal using

bio-identical hormones seems to be very helpful in CFS and Fibromyalgia and

also appears to be associated with increased health and longevity. However,

it is important that we not confuse giving safe levels of bio-identical

natural testosterone with the high dose, synthetic, and toxic testosterone that

bodybuilders sometimes use.

 

Testing for Low Testosterone

 

Again, it is important to check the free (not just total) testosterone. Most

laboratories can test free testosterone only if they also measure the total

testosterone—this is a normal procedure. Be sure that the normal ranges for

the lab results are broken down by ten-year age groups: thirty-one to forty

years old, forty-one to fifty years old, and so on. It is meaningless to have a

normal range that includes eighty year-olds if you're twenty-eight.

Bizarrely, some labs even have a normal range for women's testosterone levels

that

begins at zero. This would be like having a normal range for women's heights

that go from 0-72 inches! If your result is below normal, or even in the lowest

25 percent of the normal range, I would consider a trial of natural,

bio-identical testosterone therapy. Some researchers find that checking the

levels

of proteins that " bind or carry " testosterone (SHBG—Sex Hormone Binding

Globulin) and a total testosterone level and then calculating the free

testosterone

level is more reliable. For now, keeping the " free testosterone " in the

upper one third of the normal range should suffice.

 

Treating Low Testosterone

 

For men under 50, it is often best to simply stimulate your body's own

production of testosterone using a low dose of a medication called clomiphene

(a

" Clomiphene Stimulation Test " will tell you if this will work for you). In men

over 50, I recommend using topical testosterone creams or gels, applying

25-100 mg to the skin each morning. This is available from regular pharmacies

(Androgel or Testim 1 percent gel), but the form made by compounding pharmacies

is much less expensive if you do not have prescription insurance. Be aware

that if the skin where it is applied comes in contact with a woman's skin

(e.g. after a hug or if you do not wash your hands after applying the cream),

this can result in very high, undesirable and unsafe levels in that woman's

body. Always be sure to wash your hands after applying the cream.

 

I do not recommend taking testosterone by mouth in males as it can

dramatically worsen cholesterol levels since testosterone goes to the liver

first when

taken by mouth, which is where cholesterol is made. I also do not recommend

injections because this results in very high levels for the first few days

after the injection and in very low levels a week later. Testosterone pellets

that are injected under the abdominal fat each 4-6 months may well be the best

approach, but it is difficult to find physicians trained in this technique.

There are newer injections that can slow release testosterone over several

months that also hold promise.

 

For women, testosterone treatment is easier. I recommended the natural

testosterone creams made by compounding pharmacies. The usual dose is 1-5

milligrams a day (1-2 mg is optimal for most women). If you also need estrogen

or

progesterone, all three of the hormones can be combined in the same cream,

resulting in increased simplicity and a lower cost. With this dosing, most

women

feel more energy and have thicker hair, younger skin and improved libido.

 

Adjust the testosterone level to the dose that feels best, checking blood

levels to make sure they do not go above the upper limit of normal. Most people

feel best with a blood level around the 70th percentile of the normal range.

Although testosterone treatment helps male diabetics, if the dose goes too

high in women it can promote diabetes. So keep the testosterone blood level in

the normal range.

 

Potential Side Effects

 

In men, acne suggests the dose is too high. It is important to monitor

levels because, as in body builders who abuse testosterone by taking many times

the recommended dose, elevated levels can cause elevated blood counts, liver

inflammation, a decreased sperm count with resulting infertility (usually

reversible), and elevated cholesterols with increased risk of heart disease.

Because of this, in men, a testosterone level, PSA, complete blood count (CBC),

cholesterol test, and liver enzymes test should be done occasionally.

Testosterone supplementation can also cause elevated thyroid hormone levels in

men

taking thyroid supplements. In men who are on thyroid supplements, consider

rechecking thyroid hormone levels after six weeks if you get a racing heart or

anxious/hyper feelings.

 

It is important to note that testosterone can be converted to two other

hormones—estrogen and DHT (dihydrotestosterone). If the estrogen level rises

too

high in males, breast size may increase and erections may decrease. Because

of this, it may be reasonable to also check total estrogen levels while on

testosterone and, if they are elevated, to add a medication called Arimidex

(1/2

mg every other day), which blocks the conversion to estrogen. DHT level can

also become elevated, resulting in a higher risk of prostate enlargement.88

 

As noted above, in men, most studies show that bringing low testosterone up

to the normal level is very healthy. Testosterone decreases angina and leg

artery blockages, improves cholesterol, and helps improve insulin function in

diabetics. In a small percent of men, problems with slowing urination and a

worsening of male pattern baldness is seen. If this occurs, these side effects

can usually be blocked by taking the herb saw Palmetto (160 mg twice daily)

along with the testosterone. Fortunately, both of these problems have been

fairly uncommon.

 

Treatment with testosterone in men has NOT been shown to increase prostate

size or the blood test marker for prostate cancer (PSA).89 In addition, a

review of 18 studies

_http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n/Hormones-testosterone_not_associa\

ted_with_prostate_cancer.html_

(http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n/Hormones-testosteron

e_not_associated_with_prostate_cancer.html) showed that testosterone treatment

does not increase the risk of

prostate cancer.

 

In women, if acne, intense dreams, or darkening of facial hair occurs, the

dose is too high and should be decreased. These effects, which can also occur

with DHEA supplementation, are usually reversible. These side effects can

also be caused by an estrogen level that is too low relative to testosterone,

and may be avoided by supplementing both together. If you choose to take

testosterone and estrogen separately, it may be best to use estrogen for four

to

eight weeks before starting testosterone. This often decreases side effects.

 

For many patients with CFS and Fibromyalgia, improvements in stamina,

energy, and overall sense of wellness have been dramatic, and treating low

testosterone levels has been an important part of treatment. For healthy men

and

women entering Andropause and Menopause that have suboptimal testosterone

levels,

bio-identical, natural testosterone can help keep you very young, very late

into your life!

 

Resources:

 

1. Finding a physician: Doctors at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers also

specialize in bio-identical hormone replacement (_www.FibroandFatigue.com_

(http://www.FibroandFatigue.com) ) as do many Holistic physicians (see

_www.HolisticBoard.org_ (http://www.HolisticBoard.org) ).

 

2. Finding a compounding pharmacy. Quality control is critical, so find a

compounding pharmacy that pays attention to detail. Two of my favorites are ITC

Pharmacy (303-663-4224 ) and Cape Apothecary (410-757-3522). The pharmacists

at both of these are superb, and will be happy to guide your physician on

the best dose and form to prescribe for you (they can mail it to you after your

physician calls in the prescription).

 

3. For more information on bio-identical hormone replacement, or the

research studies referenced in the footnotes, see my book “From Fatigued to

Fantastic!â€

 

 

 

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