What is Testosterone

Testosterone, a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol, is the principal male hormone. Testosterone is responsible for maintaining muscle mass, strength, fat distribution and bone mass. Low Testosterone has also been associated with changes in attitude, mood, loss of energy and earlier death

Why is it important

Starting at age 30, Testosterone levels decline at a rate of 10% per decade. Studies show a decline in Testosterone puts men at increased risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Men with low testosterone levels are more likely to have elevated markers of inflammation, called cytokines, which contribute to many diseases. Another characteristic of men with low testosterone levels is that they are three times more likely to have Metabolic Syndrome than men with higher testosterone levels. Metabolic syndrome is the name given when one has three or more of the following risk factors:

waist measurement over 40 inches low HDL (good cholesterol) high triglycerides (level of fat in the blood) high blood pressure high blood glucose (blood sugar)

Metabolic Syndrome increases the risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes.

Unfortunately, as your testosterone levels decline, your chances of dying prematurely markedly increase. In the Rancho Bernardo Study, men with lower testosterone levels had a 40% greater risk of death compared to men with higher testosterone levels, independent of risk factors such as age, adiposity (fat), lifestyle, diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.

What are the benefits of TRT

Testosterone Replacement Therapy can prevent or reduce the likelihood of developing Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity, Osteoporosis, as well as Depression and Anxiety. Other studies have shown that long term use of testosterone (7-10 years) was effective in maintaining bone density and muscle mass. What I consider the “Holy Grail’ of testosterone research came out in 2015, involving over 83,00 European veterans with low testosterone. Results showed that patients with low testosterone who underwent Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and whose testosterone levels were normalized were 56% less likely to die from any cause compared to those patients with low testosterone who were not treated. They were also 36% less likely to suffer from a stroke and 24% less likely to have a heart attack. The bottom line is; if you suffer from low testosterone and you want to live a long life, you are more likely to do that if you are on testosterone.