Let’s Talk Testosterone

Testosterone.

It’s the hormone most men worry about at some point.

When it’s working as it should, everything is great. But what happens when this hormonal maestro plays a few wrong notes?

Because the fact is, low testosterone (low T) isn’t just a blow to your manliness… it’s a potential life-altering roadblock.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Low T is more than just a punch to the ego. Studies show that men with low T are headed towards a higher risk of cardiovascular events, coronary artery disease, and a slew of artery-related problems.

And it’s not just about the heart—low T also skyrockets insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and the menacing type II diabetes, all of which are notorious cardiovascular troublemakers.

To add fuel to the fire, low testosterone has a nasty habit of accelerating the aging process, making it feel like fast-forwarding through the years on a well-worn vinyl record.

Now, when presented with low T, many mainstream doctors turn toward testosterone replacement therapy, which has been the go-to fix for decades.

Some studies claim that bringing low testosterone back to normal levels could be the solution for sexual issues and a shield against serious heart risks.

But other studies suggest testosterone therapy might be a double-edged sword, potentially increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

It’s a rollercoaster of conflicting evidence that left the FDA scratching their heads in 2015. And while they didn’t yank the therapy off the market, they instead slapped a warning label on it and ordered a grand trial to settle the score.

Fast forward to the TRAVERSE study, involving 5,200 men aged 45 to 80, who were given either testosterone transdermal gel or a placebo. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, brought a sigh of relief—testosterone therapy didn’t spike mortality, heart attacks, or strokes.

However, they did note slight increases in atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, and pulmonary embolism in the treatment group.

So, here’s my take: testosterone therapy isn’t for everyone.

Men with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease should weigh the benefits against the slight risks, especially if they have a history of atrial fibrillation, kidney woes, or blood clots.

If your testosterone levels are low, I recommend setting your circadian rhythm daily with sun exposure at sunrise and intermittent sun exposure during the day.

If your testosterone levels are STILL low, talk to your doctor to see if testosterone therapy might be right for you.

There are three factors to keep in mind if you’re considering testosterone therapy:

1. Get your testosterone tested in the morning (around 8:00a.m.) when it’s the highest. Every doctor is supposed to do this, but some T-clinics test in the afternoon to fit in more patients. You’ll want to aim for morning testosterone levels of 300-900 ng/dL.
2. Use testosterone daily in the morning, when the hormone is naturally higher.
3. Get afternoon sunlight to facilitate the natural breakdown of T later in the day.

P.S. From age 30 on, your testosterone levels drop by around one percent every year. Click HERE to discover four foods that can help FIX low T.

Source:

“FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA cautions about using testosterone products for low testosterone due to aging; requires labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Drug Safety and Availability, 2.26.18, fda. gov