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Preventing Testicular Shrinkage with HCG

One of the most embarrassing and frustrating issues associated with Testosterone Restoration for Men is Testicular Atrophy. The testes produce less Testosterone as a result of the body receiving a flush of Testosterone from an outside source, and this causes the testes to reduce their function significantly, and this also causes the testicles to shrink significantly.

Many men choose to live with this symptoms, but you would likely be happy to know that there is a way to preserve the appearance of the testicles and prevent Testicular Atrophy via Human Chorionic Gonadotropin supplementation. HCG is a potent fertility medication that can help both men and women conceive more readily, but is also highly effective preventing the shrinkage of the testicles.

How Does HCG Work?

HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Be careful not to confuse HCG and HGH, because they are totally different hormones. HGH is a hormone which controls cellular metabolism, whereas HCG is a hormone which is normally produced by women during pregnancy that also has the ability to promote the physiological changes normally associated with Luteinizing Hormone, an important Testosterone Precursor which also has other functions with regard to fertility.

There are two times in human development and the human lifespan when HCG is produced. First, HCG is produced just after conception by the embryo as it divides and develops. Later in the process, the mother will produce HCG via the placenta. In women, the role of HCG during pregnancy is to sustain the production of Progesterone at a constant rate, and to prevent the Corpus Luteum from breaking down, which keeps the fertilized Embryo properly implanted..

This all allows the embryo to form and develop uninterrupted. When used as a fertility treatment for women, it encourages the ovaries to release their eggs, allowing women to conceive more readily.

If I'm a Man, Why Should I Care About HCG?

We understand that it may seem strange that a hormone that is only produced by women can be so beneficial to men. We agree. At first glance, it does seem a bit counter-intuitive, but HCG has a number of uses for boys and men, and does not have any significant adverse consequences of use, outside of rare side-effects.

For one, HCG is used very commonly as a means to spur puberty in boys that are not experiencing the adolescent change at the same time as their peers. Subcutaneous HCG Injections provide the hormonal burst necessary to cause the testicles to drop and start producing their own Testosterone. Also, HCG is used after Testosterone Therapy in order to restore normal testicular form and function after a patient has suspended treatment.

Why Does Testosterone Therapy Cause Testicular Shrinkage and How Does HCG Therapy Maintain Testicular Size and Fullness?

When a patient undergoes Testosterone Treatment via Patches, Creams, Injections, or other forms of viable Bio-Identical Therapy, the hypothalamus senses the increased Testosterone Concentrations and responds by vastly slowing down the release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, also known as GnRH. GnRH is responsible for stimulating the pituitary to produce Luteinizing Hormone.

If the testes do not get stimulated by Luteinizing Hormone, they will not produce Testosterone, because the Leydig Cells which are responsible for the synthesis of Testosterone do not receive the signal. If the Leydig Cells remain dormant due to a lack of Luteinizing Hormone, the testes will atrophy, and the testicles will shrink in size as the testes enter a state of dormancy.

The cool thing about HCG for Men is that Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Luteinizing Hormone are biologically very similar, and both have the same, exact impact upon the testicles. If a patient has been taking Testosterone, and his testes have been inactive for a long period of time, HCG can kick start the function and form of the testicles just as it does among young boys.

Why Can't Patients Use HCG as a Sole Form of Testosterone Treatment?

It would be theoretically possible for men to boost Testosterone with HCG, but there are a few important reasons why HCG is not used explicitly as a Testosterone-Boosting Treatment by itself. First, Injectable HCG, when used as a primary treatment, is more likely to increase Dihydrotestosterone Levels and Estradiol Levels than Bio-Identical Testosterone Therapy.

Second, HCG would only be effective as a Testosterone Treatment if administered every day, whereas there are a variety of Testosterone Therapy Options that are either less invasive (Testosterone Creams, Testosterone Patches, Testosterone Gels) or require less frequent administration (Testosterone Injections, Testosterone Pellet Implants).

Finally, Testosterone is simply more potent, meaning that it takes less Testosterone to provide the same Testosterone Enhancement as it does HCG, and the treatment is much cheaper for that reason. For these three reasons, Injectable HGH is used as a supplement during or after Testosterone Therapy in order to preserve Testicular size and function during treatment.

How Much Does HCG Cost?

Brand Name Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is much more expensive than Generic HCG. If you go brand name, you can expect to pay more than $150 for ten thousand IUs of the hormone. If you acquire your Bio-Identical Medication via Hormone Compounding Pharmacy, however, the cost for the same amount of Bio-Available Product is $80.

Most people that choose to supplement their Testosterone Optimization Therapy with HCG go the generic route, because HCG Supplementation is considered Off-Label, so most insurance policies don't cover the treatment, even though it is highly effective.

How is HCG Sold?

You will generally see Human Chorionic Gonadotropin sold in vials between 3,500-10,000 IUs. In order to preserve the stability of the hormone over time, HCG is delivered as a lyophilized powder, and must be combined with Bacteriostatic Water before injection.

How is HCG Injected?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin can be delivered both Subcutaneously or Intramuscularly. Intramuscular Injections are delivered directly into the larger muscles of the body, and Subcutaneous Injections are delivered into the fatty layer just underneath the skin. Subcutaneous Injections are generally less painful than Intramuscular Injections, but neither form of injection is more than very mildly painful.

What is the Proper HCG Dose?

As of today, there are no real set guidelines with regard to exactly how much HCG should be administered in order to promote its various benefits. For example, the range of dosage for men that are looking to conceive can be anything from three times per week 1250 IU to two times per week at 3000 IU, and neither of these studies discussed the use of HCG as a supplement to Testosterone Restoration.

Similarly, there are no Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Guidelines for men that wish to maintain normal testicular form and function while taking supplemental Testosterone. One particular clinical study involving Injectable Testosterone Enanthate revealed that a 250 IU Dose of HCG was capable of maintain the normal function of the testes, whereas 125 IU was not sufficient, and 500 IU was also sufficient. A second study just measured the effectiveness of the 500 IU dose, and corroborated that this concentration was capable of protecting sperm count, as well as testicular size and function.

When taking HCG with Testosterone, it is important to keep in touch with a Licensed and Board Certified Hormone Doctor, because HCG can sometimes increase Dihydrotestosterone and estradiol levels. The optimal HCG dose is able to restore testicular form and function while minimizing changes in the concentration of these two hormones. Of course, the exact dose needed to achieve this will depend on the specific biological and genetic make up of the patient.

Most physicians that utilize Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Injections with Low-T Treatment prescribe based off of these and similar studies, providing 250-500 IU of HCG two times per week for patients that want to maintain fertility and/or the normal appearance of the testicles. A minority of Hormone Specialists prescribe between 1,000-5,000 IU two times per week, but this is not generally recommended, because this could unnecessarily raise levels of Dihydrotestosterone and Estrogen to levels which could cause the appearance of Side-Effects. There is also the potential that such a flush amount of HCG could cause the testicles to become sensitized to the high concentrations.

HCG with Testosterone Sometimes Combined with Estrogen Blockers

It may be beneficial to make an appointment with your physician thirty days after initiating therapy in order to test your Hormone Levels to see if your Hormone Balance would benefit from an Estrogen Blocker such as Anastrozole or Tamoxifin, which can counteract the increase in Estrogen Levels that may occur. It is vital to keep Estrogen at ideal levels because excess estrogen can lead to edema and gynecomastia, but too little can affect neurological health and Bone Mineral Density.

Why Not Just Us HCG Injections Instead of Testosterone Therapy?

Many men are curious about why Testosterone Treatment are necessary if HCG is also capable of increasing Testosterone Levels. There are some good reasons why this is the case. For example, Injectable HCG is not as effective at restoring Libido and sexual function as Bio-Identical Testosterone, eve if HCG restores Testosterone to normal levels. Also, too much HCG can lead to issues such as gynecomastia, moodiness, water retention and acne, which are normally only apparent in the case of Testosterone Overdose.

By combining Bio-Identical Testosterone with Restorative HCG, it is possible to enhance the benefits of treatment, maintaining a healthier hormone spectrum, enhancing sexual desire, maintaining the healthy function of the testes, and normalizing the normal balance of the bloodstream.

Low-T Quiz

These days, Testosterone Replacement Therapy is more popular than ever, but how much do you really know about Testosterone? Take this Testosterone Quiz to find out!

How Are Testosterone Injections Delivered?

Injectable Testosterone is delivered via a method known as Intramuscular Injection. This means that Testosterone is delivered directly into the muscle tissue, where it slowly dissolves into the system over the course of a number days or weeks, providing all of the great benefits of Testosterone Restoration without the need for daily application.

Doctor-Prescribed Testosterone Therapy comes in many forms. Can you name them all?

Prescription Bio-Identical Testosterone comes in a variety of effective forms. The following are examples:

• Transdermal Testosterone Patches - A patch applied daily, which delivers Testosterone in a constant stream over the course of 24 hours.

• Testosterone Implant Pellets - Tiny cylinders of pure Testosterone implanted into the subcutaneous layer of the skin, which provides a steady stream of Testosterone over the course of three to six months.

• Testosterone Creams - Water-based formulation of topical Testosterone which is absorbed quickly by the skin, which must be applied once daily.

• Testosterone Gels - Oil-based formulation of topical Low-T treatment which is administered once per day and is quickly absorbed.

• Testosterone Injections - Delivered anywhere between every other day and once every three weeks in order to provide Testosterone to intramuscular tissue. Many types of injection are available.

• Bucchal Testosterone - A tiny patch which adheres to the inner cheek or outer gums which delivers Testosterone over the course of a 24 hour period

• Sublingual Testosterone - A Bio-Identical Testosterone Solution which is absorbed in an oil suspension underneath the tongue.

Is Testosterone Legal without a Prescription?

No! In the United States, Testosterone is illegal to purchase or obtain without a prescription, as are all Anabolic Steroids which can be used for Performance Enhancement or Muscle Building. The only way to legitimately purchase Testosterone is by visiting a doctor and being diagnosed with Testosterone Deficiency.

What is the difference between Total Testosterone and Free Testosterone?

Total Testosterone refers to the total amount of Testosterone that is present in your body, including that which is bound to Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin or other enzymes or cells. Free Testosterone refers to unbound Testosterone that is present in your system, and available for use by your body. When it comes to diagnosing Low-T, Free Testosterone Levels are most important.

Do Over-the-Counter Testosterone Supplements Work?

No! OTC Testosterone Treatments cannot, by law, contain real Testosterone. This is because Testosterone is a scheduled drug, so it is only obtainable with a legitimate prescription. Many websites and nutrition centers sell Testosterone Boosters, Testosterone Pills, and Testosterone Drinks which purport to boost Testosterone Levels, but these products are not reliable, and ingesting high quantities of the ingredients of many of these Testosterone Products can damage your liver without providing any real, significant benefit.

Where Can I Go to Buy Testosterone?

If you are interested in Testosterone, you need to go visit a doctor. Our clinic offers a variety of Hormone Therapy Treatments, including Testosterone Therapy, HGH Injections, Sermorelin Acetate Therapy, and HCG Therapy. With a simple call we can arrange for you to meet with an affiliate physician in your area which can perform all the preliminary examination needed to help us provide a quality diagnosis and get you the Testosterone Therapy that you desire.

Can I Take Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone Together?

Yes! In many cases, patients are simultaneously deficienct in both HGH and Testosterone, and there are no medical reasons why patients cannot take both forms of Bio-Identical Hormone Treatment at the same time. In fact, when taken together, patients most commonly report that the benefits of therapy that they obtained were greater than if they would have just taken Testosterone or Growth Hormone alone!

What Are Normal Testosterone Levels?

What is considered normal in regard to Testosterone Production is still up for debate, but it is generally agreed upon that Testosterone Levels between 350 ng/dl and 1000 ng/dl are considered normal. Your individual need for Testosterone depends on a variety of different factors, however, and many patients report symptoms of Low-T at 500 ng/dl.

What Are the Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency?

Testosterone Deficiency is a complex disorder with a wide variety of symptoms. The following is a wide but non-comprehensive list of issues that men with Low-T may experience:

• Fading Sex Drive

• Weak Erections

• Erectile Dysfunction

• Loss of Muscle Mass

• Diminishing Muscle Tone

• Increased Fat Mass

• Cholesterol Imbalance

• Increased Risk of Heart and Cardiovascular Complications

• Loss of Bone Mineral Density

• Increased Anxiety and Irritability

• Loss of Confidence

• Diminished General Well-Being

What Are the Benefits of Low-T Treatment?

For men with Low-T, Testosterone Treatments can provide amazing benefits with regard to health, wellness, and life-quality. These are some of the benefits that men with Testosterone Deficiency can potentially experience when taking Bio-Identical Testosterone Therapy:

• Increased Libido

• Harder Erections

• Increased Sexual Sensitivity

• Improved Sexual Function

• Stronger Muscles

• Bigger Muscles

• Loss of Body Mass, Especially Around the Stomach and Hips

• Improved HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride Levels

• Enhanced Cardiovascular and Heart Health

• Stronger Bones

• Reduced Irritability and Anxiety

• Increased Self-Perception and Confidence

• Enhanced Overall Well-being

How Is Testosterone Better Than Standard Erectile Dysfunction Treatment?

ED Pills can treat some of the symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction, but they do not treat the underlying symptoms. Viagra, Cialis, and other ED pills make it easier to maintain an erection, but they don't improve libido, and you have to take a pill whenever you want to have sex. In addition to this, it does not impact the other issues associated with Testosterone Deficiency that can have a severe impact on health, and can increase mortality risk, including Cardiovascular Issues, Obesity, and increased fragility due to lost muscle and bone mass.

How Often Should I See My Hormone Doctor While on Testosterone Therapy?

If you are taking Testosterone Gels, Injections, or any other form of Testosterone Treatment, you should see your Prescribing Hormone Physician after 6 months to make sure that treatment is working as intended, and undergo evaluation in order to make sure that the treatment isn't producing any unwanted side-effects. Of course, you should contact your doctor if you experience any negative issues that may be resulting from therapy. After that first follow-up check-up, you should go back for another check-up every six months to one year, depending on your physician's recommendations.

Do Testosterone Injections Hurt?

Testosterone Injections are less painful than most common injections. The amount of pain associated with the injections is widely considered to be the equivalent of a hard pinch. If you maintain good form and follow Testosterone Injection Procedures, it minimizes the pain, and the vast majority of men that use Testosterone Restoration have no issues with Testosterone Therapy via Injection.

What Makes Testosterone Injections Effective for So Long?

Unlike most other forms of Bio-Identical Testosterone, which feature pure Testosterone, Testosterone Injections use esters to slow down the release of Testosterone into the blood stream. Esters are harmless molecules that are attached to Bio-Identical Testosterone Injections. The only purpose that they serve is that they slow down the rate at which Testosterone is released. Longer esters take longer to break down, so they are used in Injectable Testosterone formulations that are intended for one week activation or longer.

How Does Testosterone Build Muscle Mass?

Testosterone improves muscle mass in two primary ways. First, Testosterone speeds up metabolism, which burns more energy and increases exercise capacity, which benefits muscle mass. Second, and more importantly, Testosterone acts as a catalyst, attaching to muscle cells, increasing the rate at which the muscles respond to physical activity, leading to enhanced muscle mass.

What is an Anabolic Hormone?

Anabolic Hormones are any hormones which stimulate increased muscle mass. A large variety of these hormones belong to a group of compounds known as Anabolic Steroids. Not all Anabolic Hormones are Steroids, however. Human Growth Hormone is an Anabolic Hormone which is not a steroid.

What Are the Two Primary Mechanisms by Which Testosterone Benefits Male Health?

First, Testosterone is an Anabolic Steroid. Testosterone encourages the body to build muscle more quickly in response to physical activity. Second, Testosterone promotes masculine characteristics. This goes far beyond muscles. Testosterone is the catalyst of male specialization during puberty. It maintains reproductive health, and impacts sexual desire and male psychology and physiology.

Is Testosterone Safe for Women?

Bio-Identical Testosterone can be a highly effective and safe medical treatment for some women, especially for women that are suffering from issues related to Menopause or Sexual Insufficiency. Testosterone increases sexual desire and readiness for women, and Testosterone can also alleviate the symptoms of Menopause including Hot Flashes, Mood Swings, Loss of Muscle Mass, and Loss of Bone Mineral Density.

What is PSA and What Does it Have to Do With Testosterone?

PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. Before starting any form of Testosterone Therapy, it is necessary to have your PSA Levels analyzed. This is because PSA is a by-product of Prostate Cancer, and patients with Prostate Cancer should not take Testosterone, because it can exacerbate the existing cancer. Testosterone Therapy does often lead to increased PSA Levels, but this increase is not associated with Prostate Cancer.

How Can HCG Complement Testosterone Therapy?

Many combine HCG Injections with Testosterone Restoration in order to sustain the normal health of the testes, while also encouraging fertility. Testosterone Treatments suppress the body's ability to produce Testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone for the duration of therapy, which both reduces Fertility and causes the testicles to shrink. Injectable HCG maintains the ability of the Testes to produce both Testosterone and Sperm, which preserves fertility and the fullness of the testicles.

Why Do Men Sometimes Need Estrogen Blockers While on Testosterone?

Often, men are prescribed Estrogen Blockers in combination with Restorative Testosterone Therapy. The most well-known brand of Estrogen Blocker is known as Arimadex. The reason why these medications are at times necessary is because the body will sometimes respond to increasing Testosterone Levels by converting excess Testosterone into Estrogen. This is especially true for men that are overweight or obese, because fat cells naturally have the ability to convert DHEA and Testosterone into Estrogen.

How Come Women Need Estrogen Supplementation While on Testosterone?

In order to maintain proper hormone balance, women that undergo Testosterone Therapy for Menopause or other purposes also need to take a small dose of Estrogen. Any woman that takes Testosterone has to take Estrogen in addition to Testosterone.

What is Andropause?

Andropause is also known as Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency. As men grow older, Testosterone Levels naturally start to fade. This happens not because of an insufficiency of the testes, but because the hypothalamus and pituitary start to send fewer and fewer signals for Testosterone. This can lead to symptoms of Low-T which diminish health and life quality in a variety of ways. Men can use Bio-Identical Testosterone Therapy in order to restore youthful and healthy Testosterone Levels.

At What Rate do Testosterone Levels Decline in Men?

Testosterone Production reaches its peak during puberty and remains high into the 20s. Around the late 20s, Testosterone Secretion starts to drop at a rate of between one and two percent per year. As Testosterone Levels continue to drop, the body starts to slow down, and over the course of years or decades, this can lead to significant symptoms which hamper life-quality.

What Are Some Issues Which Impact Healthy Testosterone Production?

Testosterone Production is dependent heavily upon lifestyle choices and decisions. Here are some issues which can diminish your body's ability to produce its own Testosterone:

• Obesity - Fat cells increase the production of Cortisol and Estrogen at the expense of Testosterone.

• Poor Sleep - The body produces Testosterone during deep sleep, and if you sleep poorly, your body won't produce sufficient Testosterone.

• Smoking - The carcinogens and chemicals in cigarettes and other tobacco products suppress Testosterone.

• Alcohol Consumption - Alcoholic beverages have Estrogenic effects, meaning that they can promote the production of Estrogen at the expense of Testosterone. In moderation, Alcohol use is okay, but abuse of Alcohol or otherwise high consumption of alcohol can hinder Testosterone Production.

How Much Did You Know About Testosterone? How Much Did You Learn?

Testosterone is a complex hormone which impacts male (and female!) health in a wide variety of ways. Most people understand that Testosterone affects sex and muscles, and that Testosterone is linked to aggression when abused, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the hormone.

Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency, also known as Andropause, is a medical disorder which has a tremendous affect upon health and vitality, and it pays to understand both how Testosterone promotes optimal health, and how to recognize the signs of Low-T.

If you feel that you may be a candidate for Testosterone Therapy, we can help you get treatment, and we offer the best Prescription Testosterone Products for the best prices. If you are interested in Testosterone, or any other form of Hormone Therapy Regimen that we provide, our help is just a call or message away!

Anastrozole Research Study

Anastrozole is what is known as an Estrogen-Blocker. Estrogen-Blockers are used to inhibit the production of Estrogen by the body and to prevent the conversion of Testosterone into Estrogen via biological mechanisms inside the body. For post-menopausal women, Anastrozole is commonly prescribed as part of breast cancer treatments, because the presence of Estrogen exacerbates breast cancer. The brand name form of Anastrozole, Arimadex, is produced and distributed by the pharmaceutical giant, AstraZenaca.

Among men, Anastrozole Therapy is commonly prescribed along with Testosterone Therapy in order to inhibit the body's natural propensity to convert excess Testosterone into Estrogen, especially among obese patients and patients taking forms of Testosterone Therapy prone to inducing spikes in Testosterone Production.

Also, bodybuilders, athletes, and weight-lifters commonly take Anastrozole in combination with high levels of Testosterone in order to abuse the Anabolic effects of Testosterone while mitigating the side-effects related to excess Estrogen and Testosterone, including Gynecomastia.

Anastrozole Clinical Study

In one particular study, published in 2009, researchers studied the impact of Anastrozole Treatment upon the production of Testosterone and other sex hormones among men. They also measured a number of other co-varying factors, including cholesterol levels, PSA Counts, Strength, and Body Composition. All patients in the study were individuals suffering from Low-T, and all patients were treated with Anastrozole Estrogen-Blocker for twelve months.

After a year of treatment, researchers found that the men experienced an increase in Testosterone of around fifty percent, and this increase was sufficient to put men right in the middle of a healthy, adult Testosterone Range. This was coupled with an average twenty percent decrease in Estradiol levels, although the average Estradiol levels were normal on average.

Anastrozole had a number of beneficial effects. The Estrogen-Blocking Treatment increased concentrations of Luteinizing Hormone, Dihydrotestosterone and Free Testosterone (also known as Bioavailable Testosterone). These effects were significant when compared to the placebo group.

Unfortunately, the increase in Androgen Production and decrease in Estradiol production did not lead to significantly enhanced strength or body composition, but it also did not have a negative impact on cholesterol balance, prostate health, and PSA Levels.

Andropause and Male Health - Testosterone and Estrogen

It has long been known that the male aging process is strongly correlated with a steady and constant drop in the production of male androgens such as Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone. It is also known that Estrogen Production also drops at the same time as these male Androgens decline, albeit at a slower rate.

This transformation eventually leads to a condition known as Testosterone Deficiency, Andropause, or simply Low-T. At the same time, Estradiol ratios increase in relation to Testosterone Concentration as a result of their differing rates of decline. This is because, although there is less Testosterone, the body converts that Testosterone into Estradiol at a faster rate with age.

Researchers are still attempting to discover the full implications of this biological change, and how it effects male health. Hormone Scientists are also attempting to figure out exactly how this biological change occurs, as the mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

Why Do Testosterone Levels Drop Faster than Estrogen Levels in Men?

Endocrinologists do have some hypotheses however. Here are some of them:

• Reduced production of Testosterone as a result of increased Estrogen synthesis.

• Decrease in the mass of Leydig Cells, which are responsible for the production of Testosterone.

• Leydig Cells may become increasingly insensitive to stimulation from the Pituitary, which could inhibit Testosterone Production.

• As men grow older, they could be producing less Testosterone as a result of increased activity of Gonadostatin Hormones or other hormones which suppress the production of Testosterone as a factor of age.

How Does Anastrozole Increase Testosterone Levels?

Aromatase Inhibitors such as Anastrozole and Arimadex are able to enhance Testosterone production because they reduce the production of Estradiol. The presence of excess Estradiol produces a negative feedback mechanism which encourages the enhanced release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone by the Hypothalamus (GRH) and the Pituitary (LH and FSH). All of this acts together in a way which stimulates the testes and adrenal glands to produce more Testosterone.

Why is Anastrozole Useful for Testosterone Replacement?

There are a number of reasons why it would be highly beneficial to use Anastrozole as a means to improve Testosterone Production, if it were effective:

• Anastrozole is effective in pill form, making it very easy to take with minimal inconvenience.

• It can mitigate the side-effect of Gynecomastia related to Testosterone Therapy

• Protects the cardiovascular system and the cognitive faculties from the negative effects of excess estrogen.

• Anastrozole may be beneficial in lieu of Testosterone Therapy as a means to enhance Testosterone Production without the risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (as of yet unfounded)

Previous Research: Hypogonadism and Anastrozole

One of the inspirations that lead researchers to conduct this study regarding the impact of Anastrozole on Estrogen and Androgen Levels was another study which evaluated the effects of Anastrozole upon 37 geriatric patients suffering from hypogonadism. This study produced some very similar results with regard to how Anastrozole improved Testosterone Concentrations as well as normalized the ratio between Testosterone and Estradiol.

The original study was conducted over the course of three months, as opposed to the year-long study conducted in 2009. These results were corroborated in another study, although that study did not involve a control-placebo group.

The Testes May Lose Their Ability to Produce Testosterone as Men Grow Older

Because this study was over the course of a year, rather than only three months, it provided greater information with regard to how the human body responds to long-term treatment with Anastrozole. In this study, for example, results after three months were nearly identical to those in the other earlier three month studies, but then over the course of the next nine months, androgen concentrations dropped.

The researchers hypothesize that the decrease in Testosterone Concentration could be the result of increased resistance to the Estrogen-Blocking Medication. Researchers found that, although Testosterone Production dropped over the course of the last nine months, Luteinizing Hormone Levels remained at high levels. This suggests that although the Hypothalamus and Pituitary are sending sufficient signals to produce youthful levels of Testosterone, that the Leydig Cells in the testes, for unclear reasons, are no longer capable to meet the demands of the body.

It has been observed however, that Leydig Cells are less responsive to Luteinizing Hormone when there is a higher concentration of ligands. Because of the stable Estradiol Concentrations over the course of the nine months, as well as well-kept medication diaries and monitored pill-counts, the researchers are able to discount noncompliance as a contributing factor to reduced Testosterone Concentrations.

Effects of Anastrozole on Body Composition Differ from the Effects of Testosterone Therapy

The vast majority of studies on why men with Low-T Hypogonadism have been treated with Testosterone have shown that Andropause Therapy reduces body fat and increases muscle mass. Many studies also show that Testosterone Restoration has a positive impact on physical strength.

In this particular study, the same benefits do not appear to be apparent with regard to Anastrozole. After a year of medication with Anastrozole, there were no significant changes in muscle mass, strength, or body composition observed. These results are similar to those of other studies which utilized Estrogen-Blockers for a shorter period of time.

Why Is Anastrozole Alone Not as Effective as Testosterone Treatment?

It could be that the patients did not have Low-T of sufficient severity to produce positive biological changes in body composition. The researchers don't feel that this is the case, however, because there have been other studies in which men with the same degree of Low-T were able to experience significant gains in body composition directly from therapy.

A second potential explanation for this lack of change in fat and muscle mass is that Anastrozole alone, or at the dose administered, does not have the capability to produce the increase in Testosterone necessary to lead to significant gains with regard to body composition. Most studies which have led to increased Muscle Mass and Decreased Body Fat were the result of increasing Free Testosterone Levels to High-Normal, whereas this treatment only raised Testosterone Levels to Mid-Normal.

Another issue with Anastrozole Pills is that they, alone, don't produce the same increases as Bio-Identical Testosterone Formulations, because these treatments bypass the digestive system and deliver the dose directly to the blood stream. Testosterone Administered via Injection, Patch, or Cream, produce Testosterone Peaks which are higher than average.

Since this study only produced peak Testosterone Levels that were mid-normal, and concentrations dropped over the course of the year of therapy, this may have been the reason why Free Concentration did not produce significant Body Composition gains.

It is also possible that the reduced concentrations of Estradiol resulting from Anastrozole Treatment could have inhibited the gains that one would normally expect from treatment. In animal subjects, there is evidence that male mice increase body fat if aromatase genes are not activated. This is also true if Estrogen Receptor-α is not activated. Among rats that have been castrated, the administration of Estrogen actually protects against weight gain and has the ability to generate muscle mass.

In relationship to this animal study, men that have experienced Prostate Cancer are more resistant to weight gain when treated with an Androgen Blocker which increases Estradiol Levels known as Bicalutamide. These benefits were enhanced in relationship to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, which simultaneously inhibits Estrogen and Androgen Production. Interestingly enough, it appears that Estradiol does play a particular role in protecting healthy body composition among male patients.

Anastrozole Does Not Impact the Prostate Gland

All signs from this study show that Anastrozole and Arimadex have no impact upon the health of the prostate. In particular, Anastrozole does not lead to prostate enlargement, and it does not lead to increased PSA Counts. Researchers hypothesize that since Anastrozole decreased Estradiol Levels while increasing Testosterone Levels, it counteracted the effect upon the prostate that is often the result of Testosterone Therapy used alone.

The scientists that produced this study took the time to place special emphasis upon this connection between the Prostate and Estrogen. It may be that Testosterone Therapy combined with Anastrozole may have the ability to provide the normal benefits of Testosterone Restoration and Optimization while protecting the prostate from risk of the potential side-effect of Prostate Enlargement.

There is further biological evidence that this may be the case. Estradiol Levels are positively correlated with increased incidence and severity of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and the body also becomes more sensitive to Aromatase as men grow older. Animal studies have also shown that Estrogen Injections enhance Prostate-Specific Antigen, and they also lead directly to the proliferation of stromal cells and prostatic epithelial cells which are associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Animal studies have also shown that drugs which inhibit Estradiol actually have the ability to alleviate the effects of the condition.

Anastrozole Does Not Alter Cholesterol Balance or Increase Red Blood Cell Count

In this study, there is no evidence that Anastrozole Treatment negatively impacts cholesterol or causes polycythemia. Today, researchers are highly interested in figuring out how to provide Testosterone Therapy to patients with Low-T while preserving or enhancing cardiovascular health and cholesterol levels. Many studies clearly point out that healthy Testosterone Levels are associated with improved heart health and enhanced cholesterol balance.

Other studies regarding Testosterone Therapy, on the other hand, show that some forms of Testosterone Treatment can sometimes lead to negative consequences in regard to cholesterol. There is also evidence that oral Estrogens reduce LDL cholesterol levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels in both sexes. Estrogens administered via cream have a limited impact on cholesterol.

These positive changes in cholesterol associated with Estrogen pills do not seem to provide heart benefits. This provides even more evidence that Cardiovascular Risks are complex, and there are a number of factors which control heart health, not just cholesterol. Other issues that can affect Cardiovascular Health include endothelial function, coagulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

Anastrozole Study Limitations

There is one powerful issue which can impact the results of this study. There is no clearly delineated definition of what is considered Low-T among older men. Because there is no agreed-upon definition, it makes establishing clinical guidelines for Andropause and Low-T a difficult thing to do.

This study used a more common definition of Age-Related Low-T to choose its subjects, but other researchers have tighter guidelines for what patients are considered Andropause Sufferers. If the researchers would have used tighter guidelines for Testosterone Deficiency, they may have found positive effects upon muscle mass and body fat, but they argue that, had they used these more stringent guidelines, the study could not effectively be compared to the majority of other Low-T Studies.

Anastrozole Study Summary

To summarize the above study and its effects, researchers found that one year of Anastrozole Pill Treatment had the ability to suppress Estradiol Levels and enhance Testosterone Production among adult males over the age of sixty struggling with mild or moderate Low-T.

This treatment was able to restore Testosterone Concentrations associated with that of young and healthy males, but it did not have a positive impact upon strength and body composition. This outcome could have been the effect of inhibited Estradiol Production in relationship to increased Testosterone Levels, or it could have been the result of a developed resistance to the Estrogen-Blockers.

Future studies could monitor the effects of Anastrozole (Arimadex) Estrogen-Blockers upon other issues associated with Low-T, including reduced sexual function, quality of life, cognitive health, insulin sensitivity, and bone mineral density. Such studies would enhance our knowledge of how Estrodiol and other Estrogens impact the health of men, and how Estrogen interacts with Testosterone and Testosterone Restoration.

Anastrozole Information Source:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586804_4