Testosterone could be your aging hearts best friend. Yes, your heart, not your sex life.
Dr. Chris Malkin reported on a study at a European cardiology meeting in Barcelona. In a year-long study, researchers tested an Androderm patch on 78 patients. The patch delivers five mg of testosterone through the skin every day.
Only 42 completed the study because of unwanted skin irritation from the patch. Interestingly, blood testosterone increases were very small. But the gains in their hearts ability to function were large.
The participants were men with advanced, but not end-stage congestive heart failure. The amount of blood pumped out by their hearts was only 30-35% of left ventricular chamber volume (normal is at least 60%).
The researchers measured their exercise capacity. At the outset, the men could walk an average of 180 meters. At follow-up, the testosterone group improved by 19%. They also had significantly improved handgrip strength. In addition, the size of their left ventricles decreased, indicating increased heart performance. As your heart deteriorates, it gets enlarged and boggy. The men in the untreated group lost walking distance.
The study failed to confirm changes in body mass index or improvements in inflammatory chemical markers in the testosterone group. That strongly suggests that testosterone directly improves heart muscle function. We have known for years that there are testosterone receptors on heart muscle cells. Men with heart failure very often have low testosterone levels.
Ive treated heart failure for years with supplements and hormones. I believe that its a clear indication for the judicious use of bio-identical testosterone. However, I would not use the preparation this study used — Androderm. I would prefer a purer base cream or gel that can be made by your compounding pharmacist. Its also less likely to cause the skin irritation the participants had from the patch.
The doses used in the study were exceptionally small, only five mg. That low dose might be great for women, but I do not think its enough for most men.
My suggestion: If you have heart failure, get your testosterone level checked, both free and total testosterone. If the total is good, but the free testosterone is low, you might get your body to free up some of the bound testosterone with stinging nettles herb or DIM.
Most likely, though, your total testosterone level will be low. In that case, ask your integrative physician for bio-identical testosterone. Ive prescribed 50-100 mg per day with no problems. Just be sure that you get rechecked in a few weeks and then every few months to be sure that your levels are not above a reasonable level for your age. Your sex life might benefit as well. But I am far more interested in preserving your hearts health.
One other thing. This is one case where I do recommend a PSA. If high, you will need to be careful due to the controversy about testosterone fanning the flames of prostate cancer. Discuss your options thoroughly with your physician.
Ref: Family Practice News, November 1, 2006.