Category: Infertility Testing-Male
A study recently published online in the European Journal of Endocrinology suggests a new way to prevent muscles from wasting away: Testosterone replacement therapy. The scientists said that by injecting a small amount of the hormone directly into the liver, they were able to stimulate protein synthesis, which could prevent muscle loss and even promote muscle growth.
Researchers from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney found that in post-menopausal women who were free of health-related complications, a restrained dose of testosterone helped keep their protein from wasting. The subjects were given 40 milligrams of crystalline testosterone to take orally per day, which goes directly to the liver. The report noted that it was a small enough dose that the hormone did not spillover to other organs or into the bloodstream.
Because there is no spillover, this new method of preventing muscle loss and promoting growth is free of the usual side effects that testosterone has when given to women. The report listed some of those unwanted results as aggressive behavior and heightened sex drive. Women will also sometimes grow excess facial hair and notice a deepened voice.
"This is really hopeful, because if we can see the same effect on protein metabolism at this stage, we believe it will translate into the same increase in muscle mass that we see from testosterone delivered systemically, yet avoiding all the unpleasant side effects," said Ken Ho, lead author of the study.
The researchers noted that the next step will be to gather healthy male subjects who have below-average testosterone levels and frailer participants who may be experiencing kidney failure. Ho said that should they see similar results, this could be used as a treatment for elderly people to prevent falls and subsequent osteoporotic fractures.
Testosterone therapy and how it is used
The Mayo Clinic reported that testosterone, a hormone produce by men in the testicles, is sometimes used to increase male vitality. In other words, it incites better bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, more rapid red blood cell and sperm production and a higher sex drive.
Older men whose levels have dropped may experience physical and emotional changes. Men who feel as though their testosterone levels have declined with age can request a lab test to confirm or refute their suspicions before seeking hormone replacement therapy.
Related Articles from Private MD:
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I Allergy Testing Anemia and RBC disorders Autoimmune Diseases Bariatric Lab Testing Blood and Blood Diseases Breast Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers Celiac Disease Testing Chlamydia Coagulation and blood clotting disorders Colon DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing Diabetes Drug Screening Environmental Toxin Testing Female Specific Tests Gastrointestinal Diseases General Health General Wellness HIV HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos Heart Health and Cholesterol Herpes Hormones and Metabolism Infectious Diseases Infertility Testing-Male Infertitlity Hormone Testing Kidney Diseases Leukemia and WBC disorders Liver Liver Diseases Lyme Disease Male Specific Tests Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis Musculoskeletal Diseases Nicotine Screening Organ Specific Testing Ovarian Prostate Prostate Sexually Transmitted Diseases Thyroid Diseases Transgender Hormone Testing-Male to Female Transgender Hormone Testing-female to male Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and TreatmentVisit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Back to top