Is the mainstream be pro-testosterone… FINALLY?

Well, well, well!

Testosterone is finally emerging from the dark shadows of what I call “stupidity medicine.”

You know, the type of medicine that’s practiced without any evidence. So, recommendations are made on hunches or suppositions…

Like when you’re told to drop eggs from your diet because it’s contributing to high cholesterol… or when you’re told fiber might help prevent colon cancer without any further explanation.

Those guidelines have no basis in reality. And neither did the decades-long fear of testosterone therapy.

Let’s talk about it…

Heart-healthy and bedroom approved

I’ve been prescribing testosterone replacement for men and women my entire career. Now, here we are in 2024—and it might just be the most exciting time for this hormone yet.

A landmark trial on the safety of testosterone on cardiovascular and prostate health was recently published. (At long last!)

See, nearly 10 years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that manufacturers of testosterone products conduct a large, clinical trial to prove its efficacy and safety. (Hence why the TRAVERSE trial began in 2015.)

And several different health outcomes were assessed.

Over 5,200 men with low testosterone levels (below 300 ng/dL) who were symptomatic (think low sex drive, mood changes, body composition changes, and more) were included in the trial.

Here are some of the findings…

For one, men were randomly assigned to receive testosterone in gel form or a placebo. Then, researchers analyzed for heart attack or stroke—two very real concerns attached to testosterone therapy for as long as I can remember (despite me dispelling it).

Well, you guessed it—NO increased risk for cardiovascular events was observed!

The second trial looked at sexual function—with the primary outcome being an increase in sexual activity, and the secondary outcome being an increase in erectile function and libido.

Turns out, testosterone as a standalone therapy didn’t improve erectile function. But it did significantly benefit sexual activity and libido. Better still, these positive effects were sustained for up to two years.

Now, let’s move on to some exciting prostate findings…

Know what WORKS

For the prostate trial, the primary outcome was high-grade prostate cancer. The secondary outcome looked at urinary symptoms.

Turns out, researchers found no increased risk in any type of prostate cancer with testosterone therapy. And for the first time ever, a large study showed there was no increased risk for the worsening of urinary symptoms.

Switching gears slightly, the TRAVERSE trial also uncovered that testosterone helped men who were anemic.

There are still more studies to be published, which have been analyzing testosterone’s effect on bone fractures, diabetes, and depression. So, stay tuned! I’ll be sure to share those findings once they are published.

In the meantime, know this: Testosterone therapy works if your levels are low. And that goes for men and women.

Typical symptoms to watch out for include fluctuations in energy, sex drive, erectile function, muscle mass, fat deposition, mood, and sleep.

The first step is knowing your levels. Because optimal levels are dependent on age. And testosterone therapy is highly individualized.

So, work with a doctor who knows that they’re doing. If you don’t already have one, the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) is a great resource for locating an experienced holistic practitioner in your area. Simply plug your zip code into their search engine at www.acam.org to find a list of physicians near you.

And I can’t wrap up today’s discussion without at least mentioning this…

There are plenty of proactive steps you can take on your own—starting today—to help get your testosterone levels back on track. Things like a balanced diet, regular exercise, healthy sleep, and stress reduction work wonders.

Source:

“No Increase in Major Cardiac Events With Testosterone-Replacement Therapy.” MedPage Today, 06/16/2023