How Hormone Therapy May Prevent Disease in Men
Most men are aware that hormone replacement can help improve sexual performance and libido – as well as assist the body in building muscle and losing fat. But research presented at the 2008 annual meeting of The Endocrine Society also revealed that testosterone replacement therapy can help men reduce their risks of heart disease, diabetes, and death.
Low Testosterone and Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of high-risk factors such as elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure that increase the risk of several diseases, including: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and others.
According to two impressive clinical studies, presented by the director of scientific affairs for Bayer Schering Pharma in Berlin, low testosterone levels in men are clearly associated with metabolic syndrome. In the studies it was found that testosterone replacement substantially reduced metabolic syndrome risk factors.
All of the men in the study had at least three of five risk factors of metabolic syndrome: increased waist circumference, low “good” cholesterol (HDL), high bad cholesterol (triglycerides), elevated blood pressure, and high blood sugar.
These men were treated with long-action hormone therapy every 3 months, at which time their cholesterol, waist circumference, and other parameters were monitored. However, the men in the study were not given a special diet or exercise program, to ensure that any results would be directly attributable to the hormone therapy and nothing else.
The men in the study who were given hormone replacement showed a consistent improvement in the parameters of metabolic syndrome, including:
- “bad” LDL cholesterol (triglycerides) was reduced by 1/3rd to 1/4th
- good” HDL cholesterol improved
- body mass index decreased
- men lost their pot bellies and three or four inches off their waist (2 or 3 pant sizes)
Hormone Therapy Prevents Disease at All Ages in Men
Additionally, the risks of metabolic syndrome were reduced not only in elderly men, but across men with “Low T” in all of age ranges studied – from age 34 to 69. In other words, the clinical studies found that younger men had similarly dramatic improvement in their risk factors as did the older men.
No Adverse Effects from Men’s Hormone Therapy
While women with certain risk factors are advised to avoid hormone replacement therapy, the study found no adverse effects in men with testosterone replacement.
One precaution, however, with testosterone replacement is the need to monitor the prostate. Prostate cancer is a very slow-growing tumor, but it is dependent on testosterone. So, an examination and blood test(s) should be conducted to rule out pre-existing prostate cancer before starting hormone therapy. Routine prostate checkups should also be conducted while on testosterone replacement therapy. In other words, it is important to note that testosterone does NOT cause prostate cancer – but testosterone therapy should be discontinued in men with prostate cancer or risk factors for prostate cancer.
Testosterone Therapy Lowers Death Risk in Men
According to research presented by the Institute for Community Medicine at Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University in Greifswald, Germany, low testosterone levels are also associated with an increased risk of death.
In a study that followed 2,000 men, aged 20 to 79, for seven years testosterone levels, age, weight, smoking habits, and physical activity were monitored. During this time period 226 men died – and an examination of the data showed that the men with low testosterone had a more than twofold higher risk of death than men with normal testosterone levels.
Hormone Therapy & Disease Prevention in Men | Phoenix
While hormone replacement therapy is not a panacea for prevention of every disease, the data has clearly shown a correlation in men between testosterone replacement and reducing the risks of metabolic syndrome, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and death.
Customized hormone therapy, like the SottoPelle Method, that is not “one-size-fits all” ensures that the exact, personalized dosages for symptom relief is administered. Additionally, bioidentical hormones, such as those used in the SottoPelle Method exactly replicate the molecular structure of the hormones produced by the body, so they are not only more effective, but also much safer and free of many of the side effects of synthetics.
If you are interested in learning more about whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with the providers at SottoPelle in the Phoenix, AZ area today. If you live outside of the greater Phoenix area, you can find a physician in your area who is highly trained in hormone replacement using our Physician Finder HERE.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.
