By Dr. George Touliatos | 3 minutes read | Last updated: October 17, 2021 Categories: Age HRT
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
The male midlife crisis and how testosterone plays its part
To help preserve skeletal muscle and avoid muscle wasting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to support an optimal hormone environment as we age. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) specifically will ensure there is no catabolic effect of cortisol, which is antagonistic to androgens and testosterone in particular. After the age of 40 in men androgens typically decline and andropause commences. This is the reason men start to observe a significant loss in lean body mass, feel weaker due to muscle shrinkage and often have a reduced metabolic rate. This eventually increases the level of visceral fat, that in turn increases estrogens, which provide a negative feedback to hypothalamus for GnRH & LH production.
What happens when testosterone decreases as men age
Less muscles will eventually lead to an increase in insulin resistance, since muscles are the number one metabolic regulator in the body that burn glucose. Insulin resistance can lead to diabetes type II and dislipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovacular disease. The efficiency of visceral fat oxidation becomes sluggish,with low testosterone levels. It has been estimated that SHBG elevates in elderly men and as a result Free Testosterone drops. In addition the drop in secondary androgens like DHT, DHEA can begin to affect ones mental health. Dihydroxytestosterone is a metabolite of testosterone, that improves self esteem,cognitive function and sex drive whereas DHT makes the skin of the scrotum more firm and softens epidrmis by the release of sebum, making it more elastic. Dihydroepiandrosterone released by the adrenals is an androgen with helps with immune response and is considered as the mother of all hormones.
How HRT Helps with ageing
Testosterone synthesizes muscle tissue by increasing possitive nitrogen balance, through assimilation of animal protein It also stimulates aldosterone release from the kidneys, a mineralcorticosteroid that retains sodium and water as a result. In this way sarcoplasm is volumized and muscles appear fuller, toned and this practically equals to greater anabolism. Contractile muscle constists seventy percent of water, nevertheless, other anabolic-anti catabolic agents can be implemented in hormonal replacement therapy. Nandrolone decaonate, known as decadurabolin, is a pharmaceutical anabolic androgenic steroid that has been extensively implemented in medical field for the past fifty years. It has the ability to reverve osteoporosis and speed up bone fracture healing by increasing calcium reabsorption in renal tubules. Nandroline can become a valuable tool to increase bone mineral density, nandrolone is also capable to improve stamina and endurance, by stimulating erythropoietin from kidneys. This was a classic indication of AAS way before EPO was manufactured. Nandrolone is a great anabolic agent, meaning it is capable of building tissues and boosting the process of anabolism. Anabolism has a plethora of benefits in quite a few medical cases such as trauma, burns, cachexia and recovery of muscle injuries. Connective tissue and muscles consist of amino acids, therefore through a diet that is rich in animal protein we can achieve superb level of healing of tissues. As muscles are strenghtend from resistance training, bones also become stronger as they are attached on to the muscles. It is well known that lifting weight in post menopausal women can help to fight against osteopenia and avoid bone fractures. Last but not least, HRT and nandrolone helps with aldosterone, that improves retention of water and lubricates synovial cavities. This can become very useful agent against arthitis and cracky joint in elbows for instance. We therefore realise the plethora of benefits provided by a single steroid, with low liver toxicity and minor effects in lipids. Nandrolone is also of low androgenicity, meaning that even women can use it under minor doses, without having the androgenic side effects of virilisation like hirsutism and acne.
Growth Hormone and Ageing
Growth Hormone (GH) is conidered as the foundation of youth, that works synergisticaly with testosterone against catabolic diseases. Growth hormone favors anabolism by increasing DNA synthesis of tissues, throughout its peptide insulin like growth factor, or somatomedin C. Somatotropin, known as GH, decreases with age and this is evaluated by measuring serum IGF1. Low IGF1 is linked to higher mortality rates, as high IGF1 can enhance cellular proliferation and allegedly this might speed up oncogenesis. Optimised IGF1 also known as HGH therapy has various benefits against ageing, including synthesis of collagenic fibers and connective tissue, improving skin quality, elasticity of arterial walls, joints,tendons, ligaments and articular surfaces, by the action of chondroblasts, the premature chondrocytes; cells that synthesize connective tissue. Growth hormone induces the proliferation of B & T cells in the thymus gland. GH elevates klotho protein, that is linked to the length of telomers and longevity.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and HGH Therapy For Youth
In summary growth hormone when combined to testosterone, DHT, DHEA and Nandrolone can become a powerful stack against aging, fragility that are association of mortality in elderly. Balance My Hormones are able to prescribe both HRT and HGH to people who have low levels of natural hormones, if you believe you are suffering from a hormone imbalance, you can take our hormone quiz or our testosterone specific ADAM low testosterone questionnaire.
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