As a medical doctor specializing in hormone balancing for men and women, I keep up with the latest in medical science. In May of 2016, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler (Harvard Medical School) presented on the topic of testosterone deficiency (TD) and associated treatment options at the Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Conference in Orlando. The following are conclusions established by world-renowned experts attending a conference in Prague in October of 2015:

1. Testosterone deficiency is real.

It is a well-documented, recognized and significant medical condition. The medically recognized negative effects of testosterone deficiency are:

• Reduced quality of life and overall health
• Negatively affected sexual health
• Possible predictor of diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome
• Can result in lower bone density
• Associated with increased mortality (including increased risk for cardiovascular health problems, including mortality)

2. Testosterone deficiency is prevalent.

According to Dr. Morgentaler, somewhere between 2-38 percent of adult men have TD (depending on how TD is defined and measured; standards are still being established). There is no evidence that supports the restriction of testosterone therapy to men with underlying etiology.

3. Testosterone therapy has proven to be effective in reversing symptoms.

In studies documenting the health impact of healthy participants that voluntarily underwent androgen deprivation therapy, symptoms were reversed when testosterone levels were normalized.
Studies prove that testosterone therapy:

• Increases libido and improves erectile function and capacity for orgasm
• Decreases fat storage and increases muscle mass
• Improves bone density
• Is associated with improved mood and levels of energy

4. Testosterone therapy is unique to each individual.

No threshold has been established that effectively determines if a patient will respond to testosterone therapy or not. Individual testosterone levels vary considerably, as does bioavailability and genetically-determined androgen sensitivity. Patients should be treated on a case-by-case basis, with careful attention to responsiveness to the treatment.

5.Testosterone therapy should not be limited by age.

Men should not be told it is normal for testosterone levels to decline with age (since declines often are attributed to comorbidities such as obesity). Nor should testosterone deficiency be considered unworthy of treatment simply because it is more common with age (since other medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. are also more common with age). While older men should be monitored for risk for erythrocytosis, this should not be a disqualifying factor.

6. Evidence does not support the idea that testosterone therapy is related to increased risk of cardiovascular conditions.

The studies recently receiving media attention that claim association were flawed. In fact, low testosterone is associated with cardiovascular conditions and may be alleviated by testosterone therapy.

7. Evidence does not support the idea that testosterone therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Studies show that testosterone therapy does not increase the risk of cancer any more than a placebo.

Interested in Investigating T Therapy?

Wondering if you would benefit from testosterone therapy? Come in for a consultation to learn more.