I have been recieving testosterone replacement therapy from my doctor for over 30 years. I'm now 60. It has helped me a lot. I had a stress test last week and it proved that my heart is very healthy with no clogged arteries. I highly recommend it for any male healthy enough for the therapy. Also I have not had any prostate problems considering my long term use of the therapy.
As the Clinical Coordinator of a BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Program and Director of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, I can tell everyone reading this that testosterone replacement in men and progesterone replacement in women is CRITICAL to the prevention of future cardiac events, ie heart attacks, angina, bypass and sudden death. We have almost all of our men who have coronary disease on testosterone and every single one feels better, gains both strength and additional cardiovascular fitness in our cardiac rehab program, has a better libido and a better mood with cessation of depression.
Testosterone has been documented since the late 1930's by the Germans to relieve angina and reverse gangrene by improving endothelial function and circulation. There are at least 6 studies published in Circulation documenting less myocardial ischemia with exercise when testosterone is added. There are NO downsides to testosterone replacement. It is a complete myth that testosterone causes or aggravates prostate cancer......every study ever published that has looked at this question has never documented any kind of relationship of testosterone to prostate cancer, except that very low levels lead to a worse more aggressive form of it! Between 1940 and 1975 there were 5 studies published that documented giving men testosterone who had prostate cancer resulted in an improvement in their condition in 38- 75% of them. The real issue is estrogen which needs to be assessed and blocked in some men who have too much of it (estrogen increases with advancing age while testosterone levels fall).
Not one of our men taking testosterone has ever had their PSA increase. I personally have taken testosterone cypionate for 14 years and have not had any change in my PSA (2.5). I am at increased risk of PCA as my father died at a young age from it (63 y/o), which I have reduced considerably by using testosterone, low dose progesterone, mixed tocopherols, selenium, DHEA, omega 3 fatty acids, an estrogen blocker called Arimidex, iodine (Lugol's Solution), exercise and a good diet with very little polyunsaturated or trans fats.
Progesterone plays a similar role in promoting improved cardiovascular health in women by promoting arterial dilation which improves coronary circulation. It also reverses osteoporosis, prevents uterine, ovarian and breast cancer and reverses many "estrogen dominant" conditions/diseases. Virtually all women who are peri- or post- menopausal will benefit from daily progesterone just as men benefit from higher testosterone levels. These are "no brainer" therapies IMHO......they work and are extremely safe!
Randy Ice P.T., C.C.S.
Vintage Medical Group
Temecula, Calif.
(951) 676-3748
Rancho Physical Therapy
Cardiac Rehabilitation Dept.
Murrieta, Calif.
(951) 698-7720 Ext 220
I'm very interested in hormone replacement therapy (testosterone treatments) but have a hunch my doctor will not favor it. He certainly hasn't mentioned it (nor for that matter, did he show concern when my HDL dropped from 40 to 30). What attitude might one expect from a non-specialist and what should I press for as a starting point?
I'm 61 and had 4x bypass following a heart attack 7 years ago, in a different state. I think I fit exactly into the group of males with the basket of symptomology mentioned throughout the 1st 3 comments, including the moodiness. Heart-wise, I've recovered very well but for a few years I've been concerned about weakness and muscle loss. I have always thought it was med-related. I take "the usuals" statin, ace-inhibitor, beta-blocker, niaspan XR, low doses all, plus fish oil. Do I need to see a specialist? Thanks.
I was on Lipitor for 5+ years to reduce my cholesterol levels which weren't very high to start. They were just over the recommened level at any particular time e.g. I was "too high at 220" and Lipitor got it below that. Then "200 was too high" and we had to increase the Lipitor dose. All the while I was losing weight and muscle mass. No matter how hard I tried to increase my weight and muscle mass (while eating the recommened low fat diet/low salt diet) and maintaining an active life style, it was to no avail.
My doctor said "don't worry about it's just a part of normal aging process". Then I started to do some personal research and the first thing that caught my attention was that cholesterol is the source of testosterone (the source of a man's muscle mass and libido, among other things). Many sources also said that statins (Lipitor, et al) also reduce a persons CoQ10 levels which are very essential to overall heart health.
I then had my testosterone levels checked and they were very low. I had always had an excellent sex drive/life but coincidentily it started to go south after I started on Lipitor. It got to the point where sex was much less important (much to my wife's dismay) and even if I had the interest there wasn't any way I could have satisfied her physically.
Why doesn't anyone tell us about these undesireable side effects from statins? I would never have gone on them if I knew all that in advance. And what beneficial things do statins do beside lower cholesterol levels?In my case it seems that I have traded a small improvement in cholesterol levels for a reduction in my muscle mass, a miserable sexual life and a very possible reduction in my heart health.
I'm off statins now and I'm working to get my testerone levels back up and my life back to a more normal and hopefully a more healthy status.
I'm 22 years old and female and within the past hour I've had sudden chest pain on my left side on the top of my breast. The pain is moving up towards my neck aswel. I'm starting to panic because it won't go away. I think It is a Early heart attack symtoms. I really don't want to make a fuss out of nothing. Could it be because of stress or something? I've got no medical problems although I did have asthma when I was younger but it seems to have disappeared. I would appricate some clues as to what this pain might be. As I've already mentioned I suspect it's nothing and it will probably be gone by morning.
I'm 22 years old and female and within the past hour I've had sudden chest pain on my left side on the top of my breast. The pain is moving up towards my neck aswel. I'm starting to panic because it won't go away. I think It is a Early heart attack symtoms. I really don't want to make a fuss out of nothing. Could it be because of stress or something? I've got no medical problems although I did have asthma when I was younger but it seems to have disappeared. I would appricate some clues as to what this pain might be. As I've already mentioned I suspect it's nothing and it will probably be gone by morning.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
As a physician with more than 1500 men in my testosterone clinic, I could not agree with you more. My reading of the research and our own work strongly suggests that testosterone will be very important in preventing heart disease. Research also suggests that Viagra, Levitra and Cialis independently may also have beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. In addition there are good studies to show that giving testosterone does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. It is time for men to consider restoring testosterone to healthy levels as part of a heart disease prevention program. Too many physicians consider testosterone as a "lifestyle" improvement medication instead of something to reduce mortality.
Dr Larry Komer
Masters Men's Clinic
But doesn't the reduction of cholesterol with drugs like Lipitor also reduce a man's testerone levels? It seems counter-intuitive that a statins, like Lipitor, which reduce cholesterol which is the source of testosterone could be benefificial to a person's heart health.