Dr. Goodyear

Women with PCOS need a closer follow of their thyroid function.  TSH positively correlated with increasing LDL.

Weight loss increases Testosterone levels.  This author points to low Testosterone as merely a biomarker of poor health.  In some this is correct, but Testosterone can have significant positive effects.

New study finds no cardiovascular benefits from resveratrol.  It has long been claimed that reserveratrol is the polyphenol from red wine and chocolate that is the source of cardiovascular benefits such as found in the "french paradox".  However, this new study finds that resveratrol provides no benefit.  Studies still point to dark chocolate and red wine as means to reduce inflammation and reduce CVD risk, this study just points away from resveratrol as the source of the benefit.

Interesting animal study found that diabetic animals associated with increased aromatase expression in adrenal cortex, kidneys, and other tissue, androgen receptors were decreased in adrenal glands, and ER-alpha expression in the kidneys was increased by 159%.

Case report of 3 cases finds improvement in diabetic foot complications, including neuropathy, in men treated with Testosterone.  This makes sense as the Testosterone will improve insulin function, improve HgbA1c and reduce inflammation in these men.

Study links peripheral neuropathy and ED in men.  Though, both are likely a reflection of low Testosterone as elevated aromatase activity.

Small study of 154 men post 1rst stroke finds a reduction in a second ischemic stroke with Testosterone therapy.  That equals a 7.1% risk of secondary stroke in the Testosterone treated group (diagnosed with low T) versus 16.6% in the untreated group.  Testosterone was started one week after the first stroke event.

three year follow up study of 1031 men >40.  The study found a reduction in mortality with Testosterone treatment (10.3%) versus a mortality rate of 20.7% in men not treated.  This is a second study that points to a reduction in mortality with normalization of Testosterone levels with Testosterone therapy.  Breaking out of the mode, that Testosterone is also therapeutic not just a biomarker in men.

Animal study of metabolic syndrome finds that Testosterone improves metabolic dysfunction in visceral adipose tissue.

A cross-sectional study of 1,458 men over a 13 years found an increase risk of diabetes incidence with elevated Estradiol and Estrone levels.  The greatest association was found with Estrone.  This should come as no surprise to anybody as type II diabetes is clearly associated with increasing weight and this is the source of 80% of estrogen production in men.

A prospective study of aging men and women in the development risk of type II diabetes.  The sexes bring significant differences.  In men, low Testosterone predicts the development of type II diabetes.  In women, just the opposite is seen--high Testosterone levels and low SHBG are most predictive of type II diabetes risk.

This was a meta-analysis looking at the time frame of effects by Testosterone.  For most, positive effects are seen at 3-6 weeks, but the majority maximum benefits not seen for 3-6 months.  A realistic timeline is 3-4 months to assess physiologic benefit of Testosterone therapy in those with low T.  That is the key--that they have document low T.

So many studies point to Testosterone is just an association with CVD and CAD.  This study finds that Testosterone therapy in those with low T and type II diabetes have a reduction in mortality 8.4% versus 19.2% in those untreated.  This study also found an increase in mortality in those with low Testosterone versus those with normal Testosterone.  This was a 6 year f/u of 581 men.

Some startling statistics in this 2013 review on Testosterone in men.  Studies reflect an inverse relationship between Testosterone and CAD severity.  That is, the lower the Testosterone levels, the increase in severity of CAD. This same association was also found with CHF.  Low Testosterone is common in those with CAD, CHF, type II diabetes, increased IMT in carotids and aorta, and obesity when compared to "healthy" individuals.  Testosterone therapy in those with CAD found benefits: prolongation of ST segment depression, coronary vasodilation, improved exercise capacity in those with CHF, shift to type I muscle fibers, shorten the QTc interval.  Testosterone therapy has been shown to improve insulin resistance, improve HgbA1c and decrease waist circumference and fat loss in obese individuals.  Otherwise, a good review of the association between a declining Testosterone and cardiovascular disease.

Australian study of older men, 70-89, found that normal Testosterone and DHT levels were associated with lower death rates.  This is important as this is the first study to find the positive health benefit of DHT as well as Testosterone.  

Men with heart failure have lower Total Testosterone, free Testosterone, DHEAS levels and increased SHBG when compared to those without.

another study points to the negative development effects of EDCs.  In this animal study, Cypermethrin exposure in the Perinatal period, disrupts testes development which resulted in decreased Testosterone production in adults.

Study finds that low estrogen, assuming estradiol, higher FSH, low epinephrine, higher norepinephrine are associated with severe hot flashes.  Of interesting note, Cortisol and Testosterone were not associated with symptom severity.

I like this study.  So many men, and women for that matter, focus on cardio for health and weight loss.  In men, low Testosterone is associated with aging as is weight.  This inverse relationship leads to the sarcopenic (belly, manboobs, and thin arms/legs) obesity so prevalent in older men today.  This study found that older men do have lower levels of enzymes and androgens from muscle biopsies as compared to younger men.  A 12 week resistance training regimen of only knee flexion and extension (simple) resulted in increased 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.