Dr. Goodyear

Men with Obesity are found to have lower SHBG and Testosterone levels.  This study found that suppression of insulin resulted in an increase in SHBG production from the liver in both obese and normal weight men.  Of note, the decrease in insulin resulted in a decrease in male Testosterone in both normal weight and obese men.

To be read article on Testosterone and Metabolic Syndrome.

To be read article on Testosterone and prostate cancer.

This article finds that Testosterone transdermal therapy addition to Diet and exercise improved glycemic control and reversed Metabolic Syndrome in men with low T and type II Diabetes.  This article really highlights the proper approach to therapy: combined nutrition, exercise, and Testosterone therapy, when indicated, for men with Metabolic Syndrome and/or Diabetes.  A reduction in IR, adiponectin and hsCRP was observed.

Only abstract available here.  Study of Polish men found lowered Testosterone in men with pre diabetes.  The authors used the term "late onset hypogonadism" here.  An inverse association was found between calculated free Testosteorne and HgbA1c.  The authors conclusion says it all: routine screening of Testosterone in men with pre-diabetes is recommended.

Only abstract available here, but lower DHEA-S (still in reference normal range) associated with lower bone mineral density and increased osteoporosis risk.

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.

Lower Testosterone levels are found in men with more advanced HIV.  This relationship is bidirectional.  This decreased biomarker is likely more a biomarker of poor health than one of a direct relationship.  As in the fT3 is lower in hypogonadal men versus eugonadal men.  This points to the significant problems in the way Testosterone is thought of and used in therapy for men today.  For many men, low T is the effect and not the cause.

Statin and combined Ezetimibe-statin therapy reduce Testosterone levels in men--though combination therapy reduced LH and Testosterone levels less than high dose statin therapy, but it still did reduce Testosterone.  This is so counterproductive and reveals much of the thought behind cholesterol.  Low T in men is associated with all CVD.

Lower Testosterone associated with increased prevalence of NAFLD in men.   Higher Testosterone levels did not reduce or reverse progression of NAFLD in men. This points to Testosterone as just one piece of the metabolic puzzle in metabolic syndrome, NAFLD... in men.  

Great article--only abstract available here.  Animal study finds that emulsifiers in process foods alters gut flora resulting in gut inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome.  Need an indictment against process foods--here you go.

Study finds a decrease in gut bacterial load in women with breast cancer versus those without.  The authors propose that a decrease in bacterial load in healthy individuals might be a means to estimate breast cancer risk.  Could it all start in the gut?

A relationship between dysbiosis and colon cancer appears to be present.  Particularly an increase in Bacteroidetes and Prevotella species were found in those with colon cancer versus those without.  An inflammatory up regulation of IL-17 appears to be involved.  Whether this is a cause or effect is yet to be determined, but the presence of elevated Bacteroidetes species with increased IL17 could be used as sensitive biomarkers.

Childhood obesity continues to adulthood for a significant percentage of people.

Data review finds NAC improves pregnancy rates and ovulation rates in women with PCOS against placebo.  Meta-analysis revealed limited studies on the topic.  When compared to metformin, there was no difference found.  Though, one wonders if attacking insulin resistance through proper diet and additional neutraceutical approach would negate that.  The reason?  NAC and metformin are working in different biochemical pathways.  The authors here seem to not realize this. It appears that they think NAC and metormin are both working in the same manner, but they don't.  The fact that there is still benefit found compared to placebo, despited the authors lack of understanding of what NAC is and does is a positive.

small study finds marjoram daily intake reduced DHEA and insulin and improved insulin sensitivity (when compared to placebo group) in women with PCOS.  This study too is ahead of print and only abstract is available.

Study finds increases serum Estradiol and Testosterone levels associated with increased risk of breast cancer.  Increased risk was also found associated with being overweight/obese, increased alcohol intake, alcohol combined with HT.  This was found in estrogen receptor + cases of breast cancer.

ketogenic diet aids cancer treatment.

great review of obesity, low Testosterone, and implications in therapy.  The relationship between obesity and low T is bi-modal and this has implications in T therapy.

to be read.