This study of inner city men found low T associated with methadone use. Narcotics are a known risk factor for low T. The free T was calculated from serum. This equilibrium dialysis is based on too many variables. Look at the studies on equilibrium dialysis. This study also found calculated free T was not associated with insulin resistance. However, insulin resistance is a peripheral tissue dysfunction not a serum dysfunction. So, a calculated free T (not reality) in the serum shows me nothing of the peripheral activity. For example, inflammation has been shown to increase aromatase activity in the prostate tissue only. The thinking in the conclusions of so many of these studies is soooo flawed.
opiates are a common cause of low testosterone. So, by physicians increasing the addiction rate, what are we really doing here? We are lowering their testosterone levels and increasing their mortality rates per numerous other studies.
Opioid use, despite type (including methadone), is associated with lower Testosterone in men. This is not new information, but this meta-analysis reconfirms this relationship, particularly that methadone has the same effect. This relationship was not found in women. These physicians that regularly prescribe opiates to men are doing them an incredible disservice. A lower T in men is a significant negative health biomarker.