Should a 50-year-old man take testosterone?

Testosterone therapy and aging men. Weighing out the potential benefits and risks   

 

For anyone considering starting TRT to help fight off the symptoms of aging, it’s important to know the benefits and risks associated with low T treatment.  

 

As men age, testosterone replacement therapy sounds like a promising solution to the signs and symptoms of growing older. There are lots of resources out there and most of the things you will read online seem to contradict each other. With so many misconceptions regarding what treatment can actually do, it’s important to speak to licensed and experienced healthcare provider.  It’s important to begin and focus on the facts about Testosterone. 

 

Just what is testosterone?

Testosterone is a Hormone found in both men and women. The difference is that the amount of testosterone produced by men far exceeds the amount that women need for optimized health. Primarily produced in the testes, testosterone helps, maintain several important functions for men such as:

• ·       The production of sperm
• ·       Sex drive/libido
• ·       Bone mineral density
• ·       The distribution of fat throughout the body
• ·       Lean muscle mass
• ·       Strength
• ·       Both facial and body hair
• ·       Mood and self-confidence

 

As we age what tends to happen to our testosterone levels?

 

Unfortunately, the older we get the lower our testosterone levels get. Testosterone levels peak around the age of 18 in men and begin to decline starting In our mid to late 20’s. Men usually lose 1% of our testosterone annually.  Many physicians just shrugged this off as due to the normal aging process however, some men may have an underlying medical condition such as hypogonadism.  Whether it’s an issue with the pituitary gland or the testicles, underlying medical conditions lower the body’s natural ability to produce testosterone can have a significant detrimental impact on a males overall health and well-being, and should be addressed by a licensed and experience medical practitioner.  Testosterone replacement therapy will not alter the body’s natural ability to produce testosterone. However, it can help alleviate the signs and symptoms of low T using exogenous testosterone, such as injections, gels/creams/patches, or even pellets.

 

How does one know if they have low testosterone?

 

Most medical experts would make this determination based on two factors. One would be through actual blood tests which measure the serum and free testosterone levels, and the other would be the signs and symptoms related to low testosterone.  Some of the signs and symptoms can include but are not limited to the following.

Decreased interest in sex, otherwise known as low libido. This lack of sex drive coupled with a decreased ability to achieve and maintain erections is a very common sign of low T. 

Physical changes in the body. Are you gaining weight around your midsection, breasts, and hip/thighs? It’s possible that you may have a decrease in the amount of testosterone you’re producing which increases the depositing of body fat in these areas, which intern converts more testosterone through aromatization into estrogen.  This creates a cycle that only exacerbates the problem.

Decreases in lean muscle, mass and strength also are signs of low testosterone, and it even causes bone mineral density loss, which contributes to aging men feeling more “brittle and weak”.  

Changes in mood and emotional well-being. Testosterone has a significant psychological effect on men. Low T has been shown to contribute to decreased motivation and self-confidence, as well as increased feelings of depression and sadness. Some men report feeling mental cloudiness and lack of focus when their testosterone levels are low. 

 

Granted, there could be other underlying functions causing these signs and symptoms, which is why it’s always important to confirm your diagnosis through comprehensive bloodwork, and a thorough consultation with your physician.  For example, low testosterone can cause, insomnia and problems with sleep patterns, and these problems can also cause low testosterone, so the question is which came first? An experienced Dr. may be able to get to the root cause and answer many of these questions for you.

 

According to a study, published in the annual review of medicine, volume 72, 2021, titled “The benefits and risks of testosterone treatment in menwith age related, decline and testosterone”, it states the following:

 

“Testosterone treatment of older men, with low testosterone levels, improves overall sexual activity, sexual desire, and erectile function; improves areal and volumetric bone density, as well as estimated bone strength in the spine and hip; corrects, unexplained anemia of aging, increases skeletal muscle mass, strength and power, self-reported mobility, and some measures of physical function; and modestly improves depressive symptoms.”

 

What are some of the potential downsides of testosterone therapy for normal aging men?

 

One of the major arguments against TRT is that there is not enough long-term evidence supporting TRT in men, however, testosterone replacement therapy has been used for decades and more and more clinical trials and data is coming out supporting its use.  All medication, including testosterone brings with it some potential risk. Some of these risks may include the following:

 

Worsening of sleep apnea. For patients that may suffer from sleep apnea, TRT may worsen the condition. It’s possible that testosterone therapy can increase the duration of time you have low blood oxygen levels and could increase have disrupted your breathing is during the night.   

Testicular, atrophy and decrease sperm production.  When taking exaggerates testosterone as a medication, it may shut down your body‘s natural production. Fortunately, there’s medication such as hCG, which can mimic the hormones released by the pituitary, which trigger the production of sperm and testosterone, and the testes, so this can be addressed by an experienced physician.  

Increased red blood cell production or polycythemia.  This is beneficial for patients who may be anemic, however bringing your blood hematocrit levels in to hire ranges, may be an area of concern for some patience.  By getting regular blood tests, checking the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, which are proteins on red blood cells and the percentage of red blood cells per total blood volume will give the physician an indication of whether or not your body is producing an excessive number of red blood cells.  There are other factors besides TRT which may also contribute to polycythemia, so speaking to your physician about how to alleviate the symptoms is recommended. 

 

Who should I talk to about whether testosterone therapy is right for me?

 

If you were like lots of men who are in their 40s or 50s, you’re probably paying closer attention to some of these commercials that seem to be constantly bombarding us on the radio, TV or Internet. If you want to know if testosterone treatment is right for you, speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Unfortunately, many doctors are not familiar with this specific area of medication so in some cases it’s best to speak with a physician who is experienced in hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

 

If you would like to schedule a free initial online consultation to speak directly with our physician who has years of experience clinically, treating patients with low testosterone, please give us a call so that we can schedule you an appointment.  The initial visit is free and can provide with you extremely valuable insight as to whether low T therapy is beneficial for you. 

 

www.NovaGenix.org  (561) 277-8260

Mayo Clinic article on benefits and risks to TRT

How to raise testosterone levels

How to boost testosterone levels

     As we age and go through life, our hormones change. Testosterone levels, which may have been normal at the age 20 years old is not the same as we approach our 40s, 50s and 60s. Men tend to lose between one and 2% of their overall serum testosterone levels each year on average.  A testosterone level that’s on the lower end may be due to several factors. This is one of the reasons why during your initial consultation with Dr. Mackey at NovaGenix, we review your past medical history, family history, and blood work to try and determine what may be the causes of your symptoms.  Before starting testosterone replacement therapy, patients may want to try to increase their testosterone levels naturally before trying TRT. 

 

What are some of the main options available for men who wish to optimize their testosterone levels naturally?

Keeping a healthy body weight. 

 

Simply put this is one of the most important and effective ways of maintaining optimize, the hormone production for men and women. In regards to testosterone production, as belly fat increases there’s an increase in aromatization, which is when a specific enzyme turns testosterone in fat cells into estrogen.  The more fat, a man has, the more estrogen he produces in the more his natural testosterone production is suppressed. It’s a vicious cycle that can be difficult to overcome without discipline, diet and exercise. Fat deposits, tend to accumulate in the chest, hips and thighs, as well as increases the risk of prostate enlargement, and potentially even prostate cancer. With every single point decrease in BMI, testosterone levels can increase by approximately one point. Management of obesity may not only prevent decreased total testosterone levels in an aging mail, but may also increase life expectancy in quality of life.   

 

Diabetes affects testosterone levels

 

Diabetes can increase the risk of having lower total testosterone levels. Then what’s considered normal ranges. In a ten-year period, the risk of developing low T levels can double in diabetic men. Through diet and exercise, not only will you maintain a more ideal body weight, but you may also prevent the development of diabetes later in life, which can help to maintain optimal hormone levels. 

 

Lifting weights and exercise will increase testosterone levels. 

 

As it turns out, exercise will help to boost your tea levels naturally. Both aerobic and resistance training have been shown to increase testosterone production in men. This is also important for preventing some of the more common diseases that men typically suffer from later in life, such as heart disease and cancer.  Strength training improves not just physical characteristics such as lean muscle, mass development, weight management, and improvement in bone density, but will also have mental and psychological benefits as well. Staying physically active as we get older is extremely important for patients, wishing to maintain their quality of life. It goes without saying, proper guidance from an experienced trainer and clearance from your physician needs to be taken into consideration before embarking on any exercise regimen.

 

Limit Alcohol and tobacco consumption. 

 

Both alcohol and tobacco will reduce testosterone levels. Studies have shown that more than two alcoholic beverages a day can increase the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, starting a dangerous cycle which will cause a hormonal imbalance in men.  

 

Try to avoid pain medication, such as opioids.

 

Pain medication’s whether they are prescribed by a physician or not have been shown to have detrimental effect on testosterone production. Levels may drop as soon as just a couple of hours after taking any opioids. The higher the dose of pain medication, the higher the risk of having low T. The side effects are typically reversible after stopping taking the pain medication. For those patients who have been prescribed a pain medication, follow your physicians advice, but be aware that there are many side effects associated with taking them such as lowering your testosterone.

 

Get more sleep. 

 

When we sleep, we enter a phase, known as REM, which is short for rapid eye-movement. This is when the majority of our testosterone is produced. A sleep cycle that’s less than optimal, or when someone is waking up throughout the night may result in interruption of testosterone production, and may ultimately lower a males hormone levels.

 

Xenobiotics can lower testosterone levels 

 

There are lots of chemicals in the environment that can mimic hormones. Average testosterone levels in men have declined over the past several decades, and many researchers believe this is due to environmental toxins that have accumulated. Some of the chemicals that we know about which can lower hormone levels include the following.

 

Bisphenol A (BPA). This is a chemical found in plastics. Microwaving food and plastic containers may increase absorption. Also, try to avoid any containers that have the numbers three, six or seven engraved in the triangle imprinted on the product. If you can buy BPA free water bottles, and drink water out of containers that have the numbers 245 or seven is recommended.  Drinking out of Styrofoam containers will only increase the likelihood of BPA consumption.

 

Phthalates. These are chemicals which are often used in plastics, lubricants, binders, and coatings. Often they can be found in hygiene products like shampoo or cologne. There are websites which may help one find safe alternatives to some of the products they may be using, which contain these chemicals. 

 

Organophosphates.  These are chemicals which are used in both pesticides and herbicides, to avoid exposure, handle these chemicals, carefully, wash your fruit and vegetables, thoroughly before consumption, or eat organically when possible. 

 
Avoid stress whenever possible. 

 

Clearly, this is easier said than done, however, research has shown that increased cortisol levels in the blood can increase fat deposits, and ultimately result in more testosterone being converted directly into estrogen. Stress also will interfere with sleep patterns, well-being, and motivation, causing a cycle which may drastically interfere with two levels.  Trying to avoid stress is a daunting task, and something that may not always be possible however, finding activities such as yoga, meditation, exercise, or reading, may help reduce stress during difficult times.  Avoid confrontation, drama and stress, whenever possible to help maintain a Happy, healthy, balanced life.

Diet and nutrition help testosterone production. 

 

One of the contributing causes to obesity, disease, and premature mortality is poor nutrition. Not only can it cause people with unhealthy diet to die early, but it will take its toll much sooner by causing a hormonal imbalance in men.  There are many dietary and nutritional steps that one can take to potentially optimize their bodies ability to produce testosterone.  

Avoid drugs and alcohol as much as possible. As mentioned before, avoid alcohol as it can lower T levels and increase estradiol conversion.

Avoid some of the following foods in excess.  Moderation is key with the following:

 

·       Sugar and syrups.

·       Caffeine and energy drinks

·       Excessive dairy

·       Food dyes and chemicals. 

·       Processed and fast food. 

 

Instead, try to consume more of the following foods:

 

·       Foods, high in vitamin D, and zinc

·       A variety of fruits and vegetables

·       Healthy nuts

·       Foods high in fiber 

·       Foods high in Omega-3’s

·       Protein

 

Some of the following supplements may help to maintain healthy testosterone levels in men. Always consult a physician regarding any dietary changes or the addition of supplements to your diet. 

 

·        Zinc- Studies have shown zinc deficiency to cause a drastic effect on testosterone production in men, causing serum testosterone levels to plumet. Low levels of zinc in men were also proven to interfere with the production of sperm as well.

·        Vitamin D- Studies have shown vitamin D may have a beneficial effect on testosterone levels. During a clinical study, daily vitamin D supplementation was shown to increase total, free and bioactive testosterone levels in men, while the placebo group who weren’t given vitamin D showed no improvement in their testosterone levels.

·        Magnesium- Research has shown that magnesium supplementation can have a positive effect on anabolic hormones like testosterone.

·        Multivitamins- A good multivitamin which can help overall hormonal health and contain the aforementioned supplements and may be a great option for those who are looking to optimize their hormonal production.

 

The following is a list of resources and sources, which may be useful in helping to learn more about how you can boost your T levels naturally.  For more information, or to schedule a consultation with an experienced doctor, who specializes in testosterone therapy for men, please visit our website or call us at 561-277-8260 to see how we may be able to help raise your testosterone levels.

 

https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/docs/Improving-Low-Testosterone-Naturally.pdf
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323759
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-testosterone-booster-supplements
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793809/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9708857/