Today we have a guest post by an organization that I have a lot of respect for, the Life Extension Foundation (www.lef.org). The Foundation has been around for almost 30 years, and they are a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose goal is to conquer the aging process within the next decade.
The Importance of Hormone Testing
When testosterone levels are measured, it is critical to determine the levels of both free and total testosterone to understand the cause of any observed symptoms of deficiency or excess (Pardridge WM 1986).
The Life Extension Foundation believes that a comprehensive battery of tests, along with a careful physical examination, is helpful in detecting hormonal imbalances in aging men. If testing is conducted, it is important to remember that blood levels of both free and total testosterone vary widely among individuals, making it difficult to establish a general threshold for treatment. However, levels are quite consistent within individuals, so it is helpful for men to have multiple tests over time to determine trends and individual thresholds for treatment.
It is also important to note that so-called normal levels of testosterone for older men reflect averages in the current population. The Life Extension Foundation believes that most aging men would prefer not to accept the loss of youthful vigor as normal. Instead, we suggest that a more valid optimal range for all men would be in the upper one-third of the range for men aged 21 to 49 years, and that any supplementation should aim to restore hormone levels to that range.
Finally, during the initial testing, it is imperative to also test estrogen levels. Many of the unwanted effects of male hormone imbalance are actually caused by an elevated estrogen level relative to testosterone level (the estrogen/testosterone ratio).
Using Hormone Replacement Wisely
If a man chooses to pursue hormone testing with the intention of using testosterone supplementation (available orally or as an injection, implant, or skin patch), he should keep several facts and precautions in mind (Rhoden EL et al 2004; Schaeffer EM et al 2004):
- The patterns and trends over time of multiple hormone levels (such as free testosterone, total testosterone, and estrogen) determine the specific hormone replacements required.
- It is not safe to use large amounts of testosterone in any form.
- Hormone replacement should not be initiated without comprehensive testing.
- Because of the risk of worsening prostate cancer, careful screening for prostate cancer, including a digital rectal examination and prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening, must be done before starting any hormone replacement program.
- Certain conditions are contraindications to hormone replacement (Ebert T et al 2005). Prostate cancer, in particular, can be made worse by increasing available testosterone.
- A man who is contemplating taking hormone replacement, whether through a prescription or through supplements, should work closely with a qualified physician to plan a rationale approach to treatment and continued monitoring and screening.
This article on hormone testing for testosterone levels and hormone replacement is provided by Life Extension Foundation. You can discuss hormone testing with the community on the meHacker forum.
References:
Pardridge WM. Serum bioavailability of sex steroid hormones. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1986 May;15(2):259-78.
Rhoden EL, Morgentaler A. Risks of testosterone-replacement therapy and recommendations for monitoring. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jan 29;350(5):482-92.
Schaeffer EM, Walsh PC et al. Risks of testosterone replacement. N Engl J Med. 2004 May 6;350(19):2004-6.
Ebert T, Jockenhovel F et al. The current status of therapy for symptomatic late-onset hypogonadism with transdermal testosterone gel. Eur Urol. 2005 Feb;47(2):137-46.
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