Though aging can’t be halted, some of its effects are actually treatable. Recent research has identified a number of common physical and emotional symptoms experienced by aging men. Termed low testosterone, andropause or male menopause, these symptoms are related to decreasing levels of testosterone. The effects over time are numerous and include: decreased libido, impotence, decreased muscle mass and strength, osteoporosis, heart disease, stamina, sleep disorders, mood changes, depression and anxiety.
For men with low testosterone, replacement therapy is usually necessary to restore strength, energy vitality, libido and quality of life. Not all men have the same complaints and based on blood testing and age, the amount of testosterone necessary to replenish the symptoms of low testosterone varies. The value of hormone replacement therapy through a compounding pharmacy is the customization of dosages to fit the individual needs of each patient.
By the time a man reaches 50, there is a significant drop in testosterone levels. Unfortunately for many men, this slow but sure decline is not usually a topic for discussion. While growing older is inevitable, the effects of low testosterone can be reversed.
Many men have simply not been educated on low testosterone, andropause or male menopause. The whole idea of men going through menopause and needing hormone replacement therapy can be emasculating. Virility is second nature to every man. Starting when hormonal changes occur, men see a marked decline in abilities they once perceived to be easy. Men often find erections are not as frequent, sex is not as exciting, ejaculation is not as powerful, and the stamina and endurance they once experienced has diminished. This is andropause, this is low testosterone and this is easily treatable in most men.
Here is a simple lesson in Total Testosterone vs. Free Testosterone...There is a Difference!
The total testosterone level in men is much greater than the free testosterone, as most of testosterone exists in the blood as a protein-bound complex. It serves as the carrier or transport molecule that stores and sends testosterone throughout the body. This transport protein tightly binds testosterone, making it difficult for testosterone to float freely in the blood. Liken total testosterone to money in the bank—it’s yours but you don’t have immediate access when it is stored in the bank. Free testosterone, on the other hand, floats freely in the blood and is available to be used and attaches to testosterone receptor sites. Liken this to money in your pocket—it can be used right now.
As men age, they lose their free testosterone. Free Testosterone is the most important testosterone because it can be used right now. Even though total testosterone may remain in the normal range, free testosterone levels fall with age. This is due to increased amounts of the protein that binds testosterone.
Raising free testosterone levels into a more optimal range may result in a concomitant high, super-physiologic level of total testosterone. Total testosterone levels can increase by two to three times the normal levels. When patients and their physicians encounter extremely high levels they often panic. High levels are not usually harmful and in fact can be most beneficial. Remember, the goal is to raise hormone levels to the optimal range of a young adult for free testosterone. We do not treat the total testosterone level. This level is meaningless with a Natural Hormone Replacement Program. If the physician and patient are not experienced and knowledgeable in the science behind optimal hormone replacement, this level is often misdiagnosed.
Another important point is the difference between optimal and normal. Normal for one’s age is not optimal for one’s age. The medical literature supports replacement levels to that of a younger age, typically to 30 years old. At these levels, optimal health is attained, as well as the feel-good effects. The problem may be how to define normal and optimal. Normal for a 70-year-old is not normal for a 30-year-old. If a 30- year-old man has the testosterone level of a 70-year-old man, he will not feel well. If a 70-year-old man has the level of a 70-year-old man, this is considered normal. Truthfully, no man should have the testosterone level of a 70-year-old. In reality, we are not trying to restore men to 30 years old but our goal is to optimize levels to those we would see in a healthy 30 year-old male.
A free testosterone lab value of 25 is often interpreted as optimal when in fact this level is quite low by optimal hormone replacement standards. A lab value of 40 is often interpreted as being too high when an optimal hormone replacement program recognizes this level as perfect level. Medical studies utilize hormone dosages resulting in levels on the upper end of the physiologic range. These are levels found in young adults.
In years past, various labs would list the testosterone ranges for all ages next to the lab results. Today, the labs publish only the normal levels based on a person’s age. This does not provide the appropriate indication of optimal levels as it is age specific. For example, normal free testosterone levels for a 60-year-old man ranges from 5 to 25. Optimal is therefore expected to be 25. Remember, our goal is to replace free testosterone levels to that of a younger male. These free testosterone levels would be 30 to 40. A lab value of 40 would be interpreted by the lab as being too high, when in reality the level of 40 is perfect and always our goal.
