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low Growth hormone levels in adults shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular disease.  Increased inflammatory cytokines, CRP, glucose, and abnormal lipid profile are all found to be associated with low GH in adults.

This is a short interview of the author on a recent retrospective review that revealed no increase in cardiovascular events in men.  The author rightly points out his data, which is quite different than the previous JAMA and PLOSone publications which showed an increase in cardiovascular events.   However, the lead author points out the main problem with comparisons:  his study group was younger and healthier.  So, the comparison is apples to oranges.  Studies still point to increased risk of Testosterone therapy in men with pre-existing CVD.  This new study does not refute this point at all.   Another serious flaw here, is that only Testosterone was followed.  This logic is seriously flawed as I have previously documented.  The author points out the flaw in the levels in the JAMA study post treatment.  But he fails to account for the the lack of adequate pathway assessment i.e.aromatazation.  Also, no inflammatory cytokine evaluation was performed in that study.  Both of these should have been highlighted.    In contrast, a positive was the length of follow.

Study finds no worsening in cardiovascular biomarkers in women on Testosterone.  The women in this study were chose due to low Testosterone.  Testosterone was given IM at 4 different doses.  This is in contrast to other studies that have looked at endogenous Testosterone level.  Studies have shown increasing endogenous T levels in women is associated with increased CVD.  Studies on exogenous are lacking.  This points to limited risk associated with CVD and T therapy in women.   One caveat.  Two of the authors of this study have ties to the maker of the Testosterone enanthate used in this study.  Why is this important?  Prior studies have shown significant decrease in adverse event reporting in those funded by pharma--bias.

good discussion of Lipoprotein(a) and its associated cardiovascular risk.

Apo B:apo A1 is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than a traditional cholesterol panel is.

Runners have a 30% lower all-cause mortality and a 45% cardiovascular mortality compared to non-runners in study.  What is interesting, is that only 5-10 minutes a day at very slow speeds is all that is required to receive these benefits.  As other studies have now shown, more is not necessarily better.

Testosterone therapy in men with low Testosterone, over 34 weeks, found to improve metabolism, reduce fat and increase muscle mass and not associated with any increase cardiovascular risk.

study of 596 men finds that lower bioavailable Testosterone in those men with Metabolic Syndrome, have an increased cardiovascular mortality in those > 40.

Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in women.

Abstract: Inflammatory diesease (psoriasis and RA in this study) associated with increased cardiovascular events.

Nice review of Testosterone levels and some of the evidence linking Diabetes with low T.  However, the conclusion by the authors regarding what is causing the low T in men with Diabetes is baffling.  The literature does not point to one cause, it is clearly multifactorial--obesity, inflammation, high aromatase activity...I would suggest the authors continue their readings in the manner.

BNP and NT-proBNP associated with HF and worsening HF.  Also, in the same setting, elevated BNP and NT-proBNP is found to be associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality.

Cancer will soon overtake cardiovascular disease as the #1 cause of mortality in the US and worldwide as happened in 12 European countries. The current dogma for cancer treatment is not working; the goal must be prevention. The 12 countries include: Spain, France, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Israel, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and UK.

low T associated with significant increase in the incidence in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

good, well referenced discussion of how Testosterone support for those with low T can improve Diabetes, insulin function, improve energy balance, and reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The discussion discusses many of the moving parts in how testosterone improves CVD risk.

low free Testosterone found to be associated with decreased CVD.

SHBG decreased in hyperinsulinemic states, such as in metabolic syndrome.  Low Testosterone has proven to be the same, though not looked at in this study.   Also, in this study, low SHBG is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality.

CRP is prognostic for metabolic syndrome.

Physiologic levels of testosterone shown to induce Calcium channel blockade.  This induces the beneficial cardiovascular vasodilation.  It is known that testosterone binds to the same receptor as the common calcium channel blocker nifedipine.

ED in men precedes cardiovascular disease by 3-5 years.