Group items tagged

Article highlights the problems with the definition of low T.  This article finds consistent decline in Total Testosterone and FAI with increasing age groups, with a significant portion of men > 60 meeting the required levels for "low T".  This study found a decrease in total T and FAI at a consistent rate independent of variables, such as BMI.    This study did find a decrease in SHBG and total T with obesity; in contrast to other studies.

Study of Korean men finds late onset of hypogonadism to be 16.8% in their study of 1,235 men older than 40.  This is a higher rate than other studies, but lower than others (38.7% in American men).  The test definition of low T was set at 3.2 ng/ml.  Abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and increasing age were associated with low T. Low T is clearly not a problem unique to America.  It definitely appears that a decreasing Testosterone level is a marker of poor health in men.  

Not clear in its association here, but lower Testosterone was associated with increased mortality in men with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis.  This was found in the 2nd lowest quintile only.  What the authors did find was that diabetes and increasing BMI are were associated with increasing incidence of low T.  This studies definition of low Testosterone was <350 ng/dl.  This differs from other definitions.

Study finds no improvement with glucose control in diabetics.  This study looked at moderately controlled diabetes. Studies have previously shown that poorly controlled diabetes definitely benefits more than those with more mild glucose control problems.  Additionally, the Testosterone levels in this study would not have met the definition of low T by other studies.  So, the question is did these men need T?  Second, did the authors design the study long enough to see changes in the insulin sensitivity and glucose control?  Abstract only available and thus I don't have access to that information.  Third, and this might support the 2nd point, increased lean mass and decreased fat mass was found.  This points to positive metabolic change.  Would this have, given more time, resulted in improved glucose control? No change in visceral adiposity was seen.  This finding, also, is not new.  Testosterone therapy does not improve visceral adiposity.  Though, increasing fat adiposity, low Testosterone, and associated increase in systemic inflammatory cytokine production results in visceral adiposity, Testosterone therapy does reverse the visceral adiposity.  

Great review by Morgentaler of Testosterone and CVD.  He highlights the significant flaws in the JAMA and the NEJM articles of Testosterone therapy risks.  Morgentaler highlights the significant evidence that points to low T and increased risk of CVD. On contention I have, is Morgantaler seems to flip aside the massive uptick of Testosterone use in the US as compared to other countries.  The evidence definitely points to Testosterone therapy as being safe in those with low T, but there is definitely a problem of significant Testosterone doping that is taking place as well.

Introduction and some definitions of good personal health. Everyone wants to be healthy but they don't know what is criteria for good personal health. In this article, we discussed signs of good health. Just compare yourself with these signs and you will know you have good personal health or not.

As a matter of interest, many people know nothing about their health, but they only say "We Are Sick", and many people are not healthy and they say "We Are Healthy".

First long-term study on GMO effects on rats. The majority of studies on GMO have been on animals with the end point at < 90 days.  This study followed the rats for 2 years.  Increased mammary tumors were found.  Is this definitive?  Of course not, but this is the first study to look at long term effects.

This is a review of the studies with regards to vitamin D and autoimmune disease.  There is a definite link, the question is to what?  Is it merely an association or causation?

This article's conclusion fits the definition of insane. This article found that the flu vaccine in pregnant women found significant increased CRP, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 inflammatory biomarkers.  It is well recognized the impact of inflammation on health and in this case the developing baby.   For example, preeclampsia and preterm birth are inflammatory conditions.  Yet, ACOG has made recommmendations for all pregnant women to get the flu vaccine?!?! Here is their conclusion: "However, further research is needed to confirm that the mild inflammatory response elicited by vaccination is benign in pregnancy".  Take home, you are being studied to see the effects of the flu vaccine on you, if you are pregnant, and your developing child.  And who decides what "mild" is anyways.  If you develop preeclampsia and delivery early, where is the "mild" in that?

good review of FMI, FFMI, and BMI.

You can definitely lose weight while enjoying desserts! My recipes use all natural sugars, and yes, honey is one of them. Your body processes natural sugars much differently than processed sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, etc.), and in moderate amounts (such as those in my recipes) it is not going to affect your weight loss efforts. Also, you'll notice that my recipes contain fiber and proteins and fats...

this article looks at the use of normalization of testosterone levels in men with CAD.  This study presents the data that low T is associated with increased CAD, yet says more studies needed.  This study should have used salivary testing and been more definitive in their conclusion

2007 review states: "there is adequate evidence to support use of saliva testing as an effective clinical tool for measuring hormone status in perimenopausal and menopausal women".  Pretty definitive statement.  This was a worldwide analysis

Metabolic syndrome and Low T definitely run together.  Whether one causes the other or merely associations, they reflect the risk of the other.  It is known that increasing MetS parameters drives the Testosterone lower.  In this study, they found ED, obesity, PVD, and Etoh intake associated with increased incidence of MetS.  ED and obesity are both associated with low T.

The Massachusetts male aging study found 2.4 million men with hypogonadism.  They estimated 481,000 new cases annually in the age group of 40-69.  This was in very stringent definition of "hypogonadism".

nice review of the link between environment and ED in men.  No direct cause-effect, but association is definitely seen.

Study finds that Testosterone therapy reduces LUTS in men with low T.  The definition of low T is a little wide in this study.  Another study that contradicts the belief that Testosterone contributes to LUTS through the prostate.

High dose of estrogen associated with increase CRP in men.  Definitely a dose dependent response.

Study finds low total Testosterone significantly associated with increased BMI in university employees. The definition of low T in this study was 280 ng/dl.

This study reveals what is wrong with a lot of the "standard practice" and literature in medicine today.  At 5 years, almost 50% of weight loss with gastric sleeve is regained--defined as excess weight loss (only 50% weight loss of excess weight).  That is a terrible 5 year outcome; not to mention the definition of success.  Even at 3 years, 31% had regained their "excess weight".  Add to that, the numbers of patients that followed up was terrible.  This poor follow up points to worse data outcomes than this study claims.