Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and the Heart The Misconception Historically, a major concern about testosterone replacement therapy was that it was potentially harmful to the heart. Testosterone has traditionally been regarded as a hormone that is harmful to the heart.     Why the Misconception? This misconception stems from the belief that testosterone causes heart disease. Additionally, the high doses of testosterone used by bodybuilders can damage the heart, leading to a variety of diseases and often necessitating surgery   to correct... read more

Is HGH Legal? The laws concerning the use of human growth hormone are confusing as they differ from state to state. However, the underlying theme in each states’ law is the same: to legally possess and use HGH, an individual needs a prescription from a physician who has appropriately diagnosed him with growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone is a prescription-only medication. Therefore, possession and use of the medication without a prescription are illegal. While human growth hormone is a prescription-only... read more

Quantitative Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (qADAM) Questionnaire The following quantitative ADAM questionnaire assesses whether or not you should ask your doctor about low testosterone. Question Answer 1) How would you rate your libido (sex drive)? Terrible Poor Average Good Excellent 2) How would you rate your energy level? Terrible Poor Average Good Excellent 3) How would you rate your strength and endurance? Terrible Poor Average Good Excellent 4) How would you rate your enjoyment of life? Terrible Poor Average... read more

Oral and Inhalable Forms of HGH vs. HGH Injections Human growth hormone (HGH) administered via subcutaneous injections is the only effective and FDA approved form of growth hormone. Oral and inhaled formulations are neither effective nor approved by the FDA.(See FDA Approved Growth Hormone Products) Interest in growth hormone therapy exploded following the highly publicized New England Journal of Medicine Article entitled “Effects of human growth hormone in men over 60 years old” in 1990. With this increased interest came... read more

FDA Approved HGH Products The following table lists all FDA approved growth hormone products. If you and your physician pursue growth hormone replacement therapy for growth hormone deficiency, ensure that you use an FDA approved product. Note that growth hormone delivered via subcutaneous injection is the only form of growth hormone that has been proven to be effective and has been approved by the FDA for use as replacement therapy. Oral and inhaled products are neither effective nor have they... read more

Testosterone nasal gel delivers testosterone directly into the nostril. Natesto is the only FDA approved nasal testosterone replacement therapy. It is administered three times daily once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening (6 to 8 hours apart). According to the Phase 3 clinical trials for FDA approval, the average testosterone concentration in the blood was in the normal range for 90 percent of men who used the nasal gel three times daily, compared with... read more

The following article discusses the subject of co-administering anastrozole with testosterone therapy. As a note, The Endocrine Society currently does not recommend for or against the use of anastrozole. Some physicians do prescribe it to mitigate symptoms of high estradiol levels, like gynecomastia and edema. With this being said, estradiol plays an important role, even in men, so taking it in the absence of clinically diagnosed high estradiol levels and related symptoms may be counterproductive. At this time, there is... read more

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) suppresses the natural production of testosterone by the testes. It also reduces sperm production. In most men, it reduces sperm production to levels below what is necessary for fertility. As a result, most men on testosterone therapy are infertile. While this side effect may not concern certain men, men looking to conceive a child or remain fertile must be aware of this potential side effect of TRT. While infertility is usually reversible, the testosterone dosage must either... read more

Unfortunately, as we age, our ability to focus at near distances decreases. This condition is known as presbyopia (literally translated as trying to see as old men do). It is inevitable, normal part of the aging process, and, although it may be hard to accept, it is something that you can be aware of and can prepare for. Although frustrating, presbyopia is benign, and readily treatable with the use of reading glasses.   What is Presbyopia? Presbyopia occurs because the... read more

Gynecomastia is breast enlargement in males due to benign (non-cancerous) breast tissue growth. It is caused by an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. In other words, there is too much estrogen relative to testosterone. It can be physically uncomfortable, psychologically distressing, and may have a negative impact on self-confidence and body image. Male breast tissue contains receptors for androgens (like testosterone) and estrogens.1 Most men think of estrogen as an exclusively female hormone, but men also produce it. Normally, the... read more