Andropause
A Testosterone Deficiency
A healthy young male produces on average about 7mg of testosterone every day. The pituitary gland produces a hormone called LH, in response to hypothalamus stimulation, which stimulates the testes to produce testosterone. Normal male aging is accompanied by a decline in testicular function resulting with a fall in testosterone production and thus a decline in free testosterone levels which may also be accompanied with a rise in estrogen levels also. Around the age of 40 the level of free testosterone begins to decline about 1% a year. Age related decreasing levels of free testosterone and/or increasing estrogen levels may cause a deficiency known as Andropause or “male menopause”.
Symptoms of Testsosterone Deficiency or Andropause include: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory problems, decreased energy and strength, increase in body fat, loss of muscle mass, prostate enlargement, osteoporosis, depression, inability to concentrate, reduced mental agility and loss of enthusiasm.
Men with low testosterone levels also tend to have these heart disease risk factors: angina, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high blood glucose, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, high level of blood clotting factors, low blood clotting inhibitors and a high body mass index.
The reasons why free testosterone levels decline with age include:
*A protein called SHBG (Sex hormone binding globulin) rises as we age and more testosterone is bound up to it, reducing the amount of free and available testosterone.
*More testosterone may be converted into estradiol (an estrogen) by an enzyme called aromatase which susequently may then be converted into another estrogen called estrone. Estrone is the strongest of all estrogens and tends to accumulate in the body. Increasing estrogen levels negatively feeds back onto the brain slowing down further testosterone production.
*More testosterone may be converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase.
*Decreased functioning by the aging testicles known as primary hypogonadism.
* Decreased pituitary output of LH results in decreased testical output of testosterone which is known as secondary hypogonadism. Decreased pituitary LH output may be due to decreased hypothalamus stimulation.
Unfortunately for many men traditional orthodox medicine ignores the importance of testosterone in men’s health. There are thousands of men in this country alone that have been treated for this deficiency and experienced a significant improvement in all their symptoms which will all testify to the importance of this hormone.
Testosterone deficiencies do not only occur in aging men but are also observed occasionally in younger men also. These are generally not considered primary hypogonadism (decreased function of the testes) but are usually secondary hypogonadism cases where the problem lays outside the testes, usually with the the pituitary or hypothalamus stimulation. Other reasons may include:
*Xenoestrogens – exposure to estrogen like pollutants in the environment such as certain pesticides (DDT, DDE), petrolum based chemicals (PCB’s, benzene), plastics (PVC), metals (cadmium, arsenic) and hormones from food sources may all cause a negative feedback in the brain which in turn reduces testosterone production.
There is no need for men to suffer through these symptoms as Individualised Bioidentical Testosterone Replacement Therapy (IBTRT) is able to effectively treat many of these symptoms of andropause caused by primary hypogonadism while clomid and/or HCG are available to treat secondary hypogonadism by stimulating the testes to produce more testosterone.
What are bioidentical hormones?
In contrast to traditional synthetic hormones bioidentical hormones have a molecular structure which is an exact match of the hormones found in the human body, hence we call them bioidentical. Because bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones our bodies produce they are more consistent with our bodies biochemistry.
Bioidentical hormones such as testosterone, DHEA and cortisol are all synthesized from a hormone precursor extracted from either soy beans or wild yam called diosgenin. Diosgenin has a molecular structure very similar to all these closely related hormones. Once the diosgenin has been extracted from the soy beans and purified its molecular structure is then modified in order to convert it into the appropriate hormone. Once the appropriate hormone has been made it is purified to a pharmaceutical grade purity and then micronized to maximise absorption. Although these hormones are synthesized it should not be mistaken that they are synthetic. Synthetic refers that the molecule does not exist naturally but has been designed and made by man to produce a totally new molecule that never existed before in nature.
The approach taken in IBHRT is to use a combination of appropriate bioidentical hormones in individualised doses in order to restore optimal physiological levels of each hormone thus ensuring an appropriate balance of hormones occur. The doses used should ideally be based on hormone test results to ensure physiological levels are obtained in conjunction with signs and symptoms. We only ever recommend low physiological doses as opposed to high pharmacological dosing which are unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Ongoing monitoring while on any hormones is also essential in order to ensure the doses you are taking maintain ongoing optimal physiological levels.
How are bioidentical hormones administered?
(1) Transdermal Gels provide the most physiologic route of administration providing continual and steady release of testosterone so is therefore the preferred method. It is safe, effective and easy to adjust the dose. The hormone is absorbed directly into the bloodstream bypassing the stomach and liver. This allows lower doses to be administered thus placing less stress on the liver and decreasing the chance of side effects. Once absorbed the hormones are stored in body fat under the skin which release the hormones into the blood stream over time thus maintaining steady levels in the blood. Commercially available gels are available but only provide a 10% absorption rate. The liposomal gel base used in our laboratory increases the absorption of testosterone when compared to commercially available gels. In addition they are made more concentrated so less gel is applied to the skin providing the same dose which is more patient friendly.
Concerns have occasionally risen that topical administration will result with a disproportionately high conversion into estradiol but studies and clinical experience show this is not the case.
(2)Troches/Lozenges – are held between the cheek and gum and allowed to dissolve. The hormones are claimed to be absorbed directly into the blood vessels that line the buccal area thus avoiding the stomach and liver. However estimates indicate that approximately 50% to 70% of the lozenge is swallowed which inevitably encounters the stomach and liver. Clinical experience shows that doses required for troches are higher than that of transdermals. In addition eratic blood levels result with elevated levels for a short period of time shortly after the dose followed by rapidly declining levels after 4 hours or so which suggests three times a day dosing is required to maintain useful levels throughout the day. Troches are generally only considered useful as an extra boost for those already on transdermals to enhance sexual function.
For more accurate information regarding troches please refer to the article The Truth about Troches.
(3) Injections – involves the use of synthetic derivatives of testosterone. A big drawback has always been erratic release of these injections which are suposed to be administered every 2 to 3 weeks but often have their major effect in the first 7 to 9 days followed by subsequent low levels until the next injection. The rapid release of large doses encourages the conversion into estradiol, via the aromatase enzyme, thus being responsible for the majority of side effects. This method is generally not recommended unless weekly low dose injections are used which are expensive and inconvenient.
What are the risks of Bioidentical Hormones?
Much of the hesitation to use bioidentical testosterone arises from the fear of side effects associated with its synthetic derivatives. Synthetics are known to cause liver damage, promote blood clotting, increase edema and blood pressure, increase cholesterol levels and reduce HDL levels. Bioidentical testosterone on the other hand has been shown to produce the oppersite effects on the cardiovascular system often improving many of these factors.
A major concern for many men is the possibility that supplemented testosterone may cause prostate enlargement and cancer. There is no evidence or clinical data to suggest supplemented testosterone causes prostate cancer. According to a recent study the author of this study, Abraham Morgentaler, a urologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate clinical professor at Harvard Medical School said, “We reviewed decades of research and found no compelling evidence that testosterone replacement therapy increases the incidence of prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease.” (Morgentaler, A, “Testosterone and prostate cancer: an historical perspective on a modern myth,” Eur Urol, 2006 Nov;50(5):935-9.).
In addition, Dr. Rhoden, in the January 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, reviewed 72 medical studies and found no evidence that testosterone therapy causes prostate cancer. (1) In fact, they note that prostate cancer becomes more prevalent exactly at the time of a man’s life when testosterone levels decline.
Dr. Perchersky published a study in the International Journal of Andrology (2002), which examined men with low testosterone levels (2). He looked at multiple parameters, including prostate volume, PSA, and lower urinary tract symptoms like frequency and urgency. Of the 207 men studied, 187 responded favorably to testosterone treatment. These 187 all showed improvement in every parameter measured: Their prostate glands all decreased in size, their PSA numbers went lower, and frequency, urgency, dribbling, and getting up at night all improved. This study indicates that, far from causing prostate trouble, testosterone is actually beneficial for the prostate gland in the vast majority of cases.
A recent study by Leonard Marks, MD in JAMA again shows safety of testosterone therapy. “No treatment-related change was observed in prostate histology, tissue biomarkers, gene expression, or cancer incidence or severity. Treatment-related changes in prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen, voiding symptoms, and urinary flow were slight.” (2A)(2B)
In addition the first study to examine the safety and efficacy of testosterone gel for up to 42 months, was conducted at multiple research centers in the U.S under the direction of investigators at the Research and Education Institute (REI) at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and was published in 2004 in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. This AndroGel study is the first to show long-term benefits and safety with testosterone gel – that’s great news for men suffering from low testosterone,” said Ronald Swerdloff, MD, REI Investigator in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition. This study shows 3+ years of continued benefits and provides new information on the degree of safety for men treated with testosterone. Nevertheless, doctors must monitor their patients throughout therapy.”
Why isn’t testosterone therapy accepted by my doctor and the conventional medical system?
*Synthetic Testosterone of the 1940s – A major reason is the debacle in the 1940s and 1950s, when pharmaceutical companies sold a synthetic testosterone derivative called methyltestosterone. After a few years of taking this synthetic form men developed liver cancer and heart disease. The experts proclaimed that testosterone therapy was dangerous, so testosterone research ceased until the late 1980s with the use of safer, bio-identical testosterone.
*Bad Reputation from Abuse in Sports
*Orthodox Medicine is Opposed to the Idea -The official stance of the medical community erroniously delares that “existing scientific evidence does not justify claims that testosterone treatments can relieve or prevent certain age-related problems in men.” There are literally dozens of studies in the medical literature showing health benefits and safety of testosterone therapy.
How to get started?
Ask your doctor to organise the appropriate hormone tests. If testosterone levels come back low then ideally you should request a clomid stimulation test to determine if it is due to primary or secondary hypogonadism (this may be difficult as doctors rarely order it). If this test indicates primary hypogonadism then physiological dose testosterone replacement should be introduced. If secondary hypogonadism is indicated then you can try low dose clomid and/or HCG therapy to stimulate the testes to produce more testosterone. Follow up tests (measure free testosterone, estradiol, estrone at least) are essential to ensure doses are adequate maintaining optimal levels of free testosterone and to make sure your estrogens do not increase significantly due to aromatisation. An aromatase inhibitor may also be required if estrogens are found to increase in order to maintain a healthy estrogen:testosterone ratio.
If your doctor refuses to co-operate click here to find a co-operative doctor that will. Alternatively you can contact us for a phone consultation where we can arrange the hormone testing and make recommendations based on your history, symptoms and test results. We will then put you into contact with a sympathetic doctor if you require any scripts for bioidentical hormones.
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References
(1) Rhoden, E.L, Risks of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy and Recommendations for Monitoring Ernani Luis Rhoden, M.D., and Abraham Morgentaler, M.D. NEJM Volume 350:482-492 Jan 29, 2004.
(2) Perchersky AV et al. “Androgen administration in middle-aged and aging men: effects of oral testosterone undecanoate on di-hydrotestosterone, oestradiol, and prostate volume.” International J Androl 2002; 25(2): 119
(2A) Marks, Leonard S., Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Prostate Tissue in Men With Late-Onset Hypogonadism A Randomized Controlled Trial. , MD JAMA. 2006;296:2351-2361.
(2B) Press Release for JAMA , Leonard Marks MD article
Links
Dr Crisler - expert in low dose testosterone replacement for men.
