The Testosterone Controversy

Reposted from Life Extension

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/jun2012_Testosterone-Controversy_01.htm

By William Faloon
 

William Faloon Testosterone levels are high in young men, but plummet during aging. Despite compelling findings of efficacy, conventional doctors still question the value of testosterone replacement in maturing men. This oversight is causing needless heart attacks and strokes. Low testosterone is associated with excess abdominal fat,1-4 loss of insulin sensitivity,5,6 and atherosclerosis.7,8   A critically important role of testosterone is to enable HDL to remove excess cholesterol from the arterial wall and transport it to the liver for disposal. This effect of enhancing HDL is termed “reverse cholesterol transport” and is vital to preventing arterial occlusion.9,10 Cardiologists routinely prescribe statin drugs to lower LDL, a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to the arteries. These same doctors, however, fail to maintain sufficient testosterone levels in their patients to enable HDL to remove cholesterol buildup in the arteries. This is one reason why statin drugs have not always been shown to work in older men, who require functional HDL to keep arterial linings free of excess cholesterol. 11,12 Numerous studies document the vital role that testosterone plays in maintaining youthful metabolic processes throughout the body.6,7,13-21 A large new study confirms the deadly impact of low testosterone in older men.22   What’s scary are clinical trials designed by doctors who have no idea how to achieve youthful hormone levels. Men who enroll in these studies are subjected to lethal dangers because testosterone and estrogen blood levels are not properly balanced. Cells throughout a man’s body are laden with receptor sites that are activated by the hormone testosterone. When testosterone is available to bind to these receptor sites, good things happen such as elevated mood and improved cognition in response to plentiful testosterone being available to the brain.23-25   Be it muscle, bone, vascular, or nerve tissue, testosterone provides critical command signals for your cells to behave in a youthful manner.8,26-33 As testosterone levels diminish, degenerative processes set in. New Published Study Confirms Testosterone’s Benefits Of considerable interest is the relationship between testosterone blood levels and cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. In a revealing new study, researchers identified 2,416 men (aged 69-81 years) who were not on any kind of testosterone- affecting treatment. These men were subjected to a battery of blood tests that included total testosterone and estradiol (estrogen). The first observation was that men with increasing levels of testosterone had a decreased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and body fat mass. Compared to men with the highest testosterone levels, those with low testosterone were twice as likely to have a history of cardiovascular disease. It was also observed that men with the highest testosterone levels were the most physically active.17 This large group of men was followed for an average of 5.1 years. Men in the highest quartile of total testosterone (above 550 ng/dL) had a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular events. Any level of total testosterone below 550 ng/dL resulted in significant increased risk, thus helping to establish a minimal baseline as to where total testosterone should be to guard against heart attack or stroke. Estradiol levels measured in this group appeared to be mostly in safe ranges and did not impact incidence of cardiovascular events. Data was tabulated based on hospital reports and/or death certificates for heart attack, stroke, unstable angina, bypass surgery, or stenting. The four quartiles of total testosterone in this large group of older men were: Quartile 1: Total testosterone below 340 ng/dL. Quartile 2: Total testosterone be-tween 341-438 ng/dL. Quartile 3: Total testosterone be-tween 439-549 ng/dL. Quartile 4: Total testosterone above 550 ng/dL. Of interest was the finding that Quartiles 1, 2, and 3 had about the same risk of cardiac adverse events. It was only in Quartile 4 (when total testosterone exceeded 550 ng/dL) that the 30% reduction in cardiovascular events occurred. This finding showed that it did not matter if these men’s total testosterone was very low (below 340 ng/dL) or moderately low (up to 549 ng/dL)…they all had a similar increased risk for suffering a cardiovascular event. Only when total testosterone exceeded 550 ng/dL did cardiovascular risk plummet. This finding remained consistent for cerebrovascular disease incidence, where men with the highest total testosterone (Quartile 4) had a 24% reduced risk of transient ischemic attack or full-blown stroke. The researchers noted this association with reduced cerebrovascular risk remained after adjustment for traditional risk factors. The conclusions by the researchers who conducted this study were: “Higher serum testosterone levels are associated with a reduced risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events in community dwelling elderly men.” 17 Mainstream Doctors Know Nothing About Hormone Balance If you ever wonder why so many deaths are directly caused by medical errors, look no further than the obvious mistakes made by doctors who design human clinical trials.34-36 It has long been known that aging men are at risk for having excess activity of an enzyme called aromatase. The effect of surplus aromatase is that too much testosterone is converted to estrogen.37,38   Aging men have a propensity to develop dangerously high levels of estrogen combined with woefully inadequate testosterone, though many aging men suffer both low testosterone and estrogen.39,40   Elevated estrogen can sharply increase heart attack risk by promoting platelet aggregation and coagulation in coronary arteries.41,42 Higher estrogen in men also increases inflammation which can cause unstable plaque to rupture and occlude a coronary artery, thus creating a sudden heart attack.43-45 Now just imagine designing a study where a huge dose of testosterone cream is applied to dilapidated men with a high prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and elevated LDL. These men (average age 74) all suffered limited mobility and many had known cardiovascular disease. All these physically impaired men had very low total testosterone levels (mean 243 ng/dL) at baseline, but the doctors never bothered to check their estrogen levels. The study was stopped after six to twelve months because the decrepit men receiving testosterone (at a dose more than twice what is typically prescribed) showed a 4.6-fold increase in adverse cardiovascular events.46   The purpose of the study was to see if high-dose testosterone cream could improve strength and mobility in these degenerated men. Early results showed it to be effective in improving muscle strength, but the study had to be stopped because too many cardiovascular events occurred. The study authors admitted that the testosterone cream may have converted to estrogen and caused these cardiac problems. My question is why they failed to test estrogen levels in the beginning and monitor estrogen after administering high-dose testosterone cream? Obesity alone causes estrogen levels in men to spike.38 The reason overweight men grow breasts is that abdominal fat tissue synthesizes huge amounts of aromatase, which converts their testosterone to estrogen. Obese men with elevated estradiol are strongly advised to take aromatase-inhibiting agents. By applying high doses of testosterone cream, estrogen levels would be expected to spiral upward in many of these unhealthy men, thus predisposing them to cardiovascular events inflicted by abnormal arterial blood clotting (thrombosis) and inflammation. Despite these obvious flaws, this negative study was widely circulated in the medical mainstream and used as a basis to advice doctors to prescribe testosterone cream with caution. This is unfortunate as the preponderance of data shows significant protective effects when testosterone and estrogen are in a youthful state of balance. Most published studies fail to look at estrogen levels in men, despite a massive body of evidence showing significant increases in mortality when estrogen levels are too high or too low.47-52   Why Testosterone Studies Are Not Consistent One might wonder how two studies could come to completely opposite conclusions. A 2011 published study of 2,416 men showed a 30% reduction in cardiovascular events when total testosterone levels exceeded 550 ng/dL.19 Yet an unpublished report released in 2010 of less than 700 men stated that cardiovascular events more than doubled when total testosterone exceeded 495 ng/dL.53 One problem relates to differing laboratory methodologies whose results vary more than professionals like to admit. This means that some of these studies may not have accurately measured testosterone blood levels. In the most recent positive study showing a 30% reduction in cardiovascular events in men with total testosterone above 550 ng/dL, the researchers exclusively used a mass spectrometry-based technique that provides a more accurate assessment of testosterone status than testing methods used in previous studies. The more obvious flaw, however, relates to the large number of independent risk factors involved in the development of atherosclerosis, thrombosis and subsequent heart attack and stroke. While some of these other risk factors are sometimes factored in, no study on testosterone has included all of them and they all rely on outdated reference ranges for artery-damaging factors such as glucose and hypertension. Unpublished Study Associates Testosterone With Greater Heart Risk In August 2010, an unpublished report was circulated in the media that contradicted numerous published studies showing higher levels of testosterone protect against heart attack.53 This negative report was based on a study of less than 700 men (aged 65 and older) and claimed that men with higher testosterone doubled their risk of a heart attack or other cardiac events. While even the author of this study admitted the findings were preliminary and had not been peer-reviewed, one striking discrepancy was that it defined high total testosterone as being greater than 495 ng/dL. Recall that in the much larger (2,416 men) published study (described at the beginning of this article) that a 30% reduction in cardiovascular events did not occur until total testosterone levels exceeded 550 ng/dL. As is typical of so many of these studies, estrogen levels do not appear to have been measured, so we have no idea if any of these men in this negative study had the youthful balance of testosterone and estrogen required to protect against cardiovascular disease. (Estrogen was measured in the study showing reduction in cardiovascular events in men with the highest testosterone level.) How Testosterone Protects Against Heart Attacks Most people know that higher blood levels of HDL protect against atherosclerosis and subsequent heart attack. What few understand is the critical role that testosterone plays in enabling HDL to remove built-up cholesterol from the arterial wall. HDL removes cholesterol from the arterial wall and returns it to the liver for safe disposal via a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Testosterone enhances HDL-induced reverse cholesterol transport from the arterial wall.9 That is one of testosterone’s unique and lifesaving anti-atherosclerotic effects. While a person can reduce their arterial wall exposure to cholesterol through healthier diets and by taking certain drugs, the average person still synthesizes about 750 mg every day of cholesterol in their peripheral tissues (outside of the liver). If there is any distortion in the HDL-mediated removal of cholesterol (i.e. reverse cholesterol transport) from the arterial wall, the consequence is atherosclerosis.54 Said differently, testosterone is required for optimal transport of excess cholesterol from our tissues and blood vessels to our liver for processing and disposal. In the testosterone-deficient state, reverse cholesterol transport is compromised, and excess cholesterol cannot be removed from the arterial wall.55-57 HDL and testosterone levels often plummet in aging humans.59,60 The combination of low HDL and low testosterone virtually guarantees an explosion in demand for vascular stents and drugs that earn tens of billions of dollars in profits each year for pharmaceutical behemoths. Under optimal circumstances, HDL efficiently removes cholesterol from arterial walls and then transports it (via reverse cholesterol transport) to the liver for elimination (mostly through the bile duct into the intestines). When there is a deficiency of testosterone, HDL is less efficient in removing debris from the arterial wall and the liver is less efficient in breaking down cholesterol- laden HDL from the blood- stream. Armed with this knowledge, you can now see past the charade perpetrated by the medical establishment that still questions the value of testosterone supplementation. Numerous well-controlled human studies show that higher testosterone levels play a critical role in maintaining healthy blood flow throughout the body by accelerating reverse cholesterol transport—thereby helping to prevent atherosclerosis.61,62 Chart 1. How Testosterone Affects HDL Testosterone elevates the hepatic lipase enzyme that the liver needs to safely clear the body of excess cholesterol. The liver contains a receptor called scavenger receptor B1 that acts to stimulate cholesterol uptake for processing and disposal. Testosterone beneficially increases scavenger receptor B1.9 Furthermore, a liver enzyme called hepatic lipase functions to remove phospholipids from the surface of HDL and helps enhance the uptake of these HDL-derived lipids by scavenger receptor B1.9,10,58 Testosterone increases the activity of hepatic lipase.10 By increasing both scavenger receptor B1 and hepatic lipase activities, testosterone facilitates an increase in reverse cholesterol transport, a process that removes excess cholesterol from the tissues and carries it to the liver for processing and disposal.9,10 The important take home point is the critical role of reverse cholesterol transport in enabling HDL to protect against atherosclerosis. Low Testosterone Sharply Increases Coronary Artery Disease Risk The relationship between low testosterone and increased coronary artery disease incidence has been the featured topic of several covers of Life Extension Magazine® over the past two decades. One study evaluated men under age 45 who presented with coronary artery disease compared with an age-matched control group. The findings revealed that even moderately reduced free testosterone blood levels (below 17.3 pg/mL of blood) in these younger men resulted in a 3.3-fold greater risk of developing premature coronary artery disease compared with men who had values above 17.3 pg/mL.70 To put this testosterone blood reading in perspective, aging men who don’t use testosterone-boosting nutrients or drugs often have very low free testosterone blood levels (less than 10 pg/mL of blood). These same men often have low HDL blood test readings in the danger zone (less than 40-50 mg/dL). More recent studies confirm low blood levels of free testosterone increase cardiovascular mortality in men.71,72 Is it any wonder that despite aggressive use of statin drugs and other advances in cardiac medicine, heart attack and stroke are still today’s leading killers? Testosterone for Chronic Heart Failure Chronic heart failure is a disabling condition characterized by exercise intolerance and shortness of breath. The disease arises from prolonged inflammatory cytokine activation that also causes severe muscle wasting. Testosterone increases anabolic function, improves arterial dilation, augments cardiac output, and is known to have anti-inflammatory activities. Low testosterone is a common characteristic in men suffering from heart failure. In an interesting report, 20 men with an average age of 62 took part in a randomized study in which testosterone or placebo was injected every two weeks for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, men receiving testosterone could walk 3.5 times farther.73 Mean symptom scores and a critical blood measurement of heart function (brain natriuretic peptide) improved in men receiving testosterone, but not in the placebo group. A trend toward improved mood scores was noted in the testosterone group, which is important because men with chronic heart failure have high rates of depression. The doctors concluded that 12 weeks of testosterone treatment led to significant improvements in physical capacity and symptoms.73 Chart 2. Natural Hormones Slash Heart Disease Mortality! A landmark study analyzed the relationship of natural hormones (free testosterone, DHEA, and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) to death rates in men suffering from chronic heart failure.63 The findings from this study are tabulated on the chart in this box. As one can see, more men die when any of these hormones are deficient. This same chart shows catastrophic mortality when two or more of these hormones are deficient.63 A large number of studies reveal that higher testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels are associated with reduced heart disease risk.64-69 DHEA is a low-cost dietary supplement, while IGF-boosting nutrients and natural testosterone cream are available to Americans at affordable prices. Cardiac drugs generate outrageous profits for pharmaceutical interests. Pharmaceutical companies thus face huge economic losses if too many Americans use natural hormones to reduce their reliance on expensive prescription drugs. Testosterone and Stroke Risk One way to evaluate one’s risk for a stroke is to undergo an ultrasound test to measure carotid artery thickness. When excess occlusion is detected, a risky surgical procedure (carotid endarterectomy) is performed to restore blood flow to the brain. In a study published by the American Heart Association in April 2004, ultrasounds were used to measure the carotid intima-media thickness in 195 independently living elderly men in 1996 and again in 2000. The researchers also measured blood levels of free testosterone in these men. The results showed that men with low testosterone had a 3.57 times greater progression of carotid intima-media thickening than those with higher testosterone levels. These associations were independent of body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and serum cholesterol levels. The doctors concluded: “Low free testosterone levels were related to intima-media thickening of the common carotid artery in elderly men independently of cardiovascular risk factors.” 21

Doctors Overlook Lethal Impact of Estrogen Imbalance When Life Extension® started offering comprehensive blood test panels back in 1996, men did not understand why we were checking their estrogen levels. Back in those days, estrogen was considered a hormone of importance only to women. We tested estrogen based on published data indicating that when estrogen levels are unbalanced, the risk of degenerative disease in aging men skyrockets.38,47-52 Of concern to us 16 years ago were reports showing that excess estrogen contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.74,75 Human clinical studies conducted more than a decade later confirmed our suspicions. Men with even slightly elevated estrogen levels doubled their risk of stroke and had far higher incidences of coronary artery disease.43,76,77 Our early observations also revealed that men presenting with benign prostate enlargement or prostate cancer had higher blood estrogen levels (and often low free testosterone blood levels).78-81 Subsequent clinical studies help confirm our early observations.82-86 Insufficient estrogen, on the other hand, predisposes men to osteoporosis and bone fracture.87,88 The fact that 99% of men today have no idea what their blood estrogen levels are helps explain the epidemic of age-related disease that is bankrupting this nation’s medical system. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) measured blood estradiol (a dominant estrogen) in 501 men with chronic heart failure. Compared to men in the balanced estrogen quintile, men in the lowest estradiol quintile were 217% more likely to die during a 3-year follow-up, while men in the highest estradiol quintile were 133% more likely to die.39   The men in the balanced quintile—with the fewest deaths—had serum estradiol levels between 21.80 and 30.11 pg/mL. This is virtually the ideal range that Life Extension has long recommended male members strive for. The men in the highest quintile who suffered 133% increased death rates had serum estradiol levels of 37.40 pg/mL or above. The lowest estradiol group that suffered a 217% increased death rate had serum estradiol levels under 12.90 pg/mL. The dramatic increase in mortality in men with unbalanced estrogen (i.e., estradiol levels either too high or too low) is nothing short of astounding. It uncovers a gaping hole in conventional cardiology practice that is easily correctable and explains why clinical trials on aging men that fail to measure estradiol have serious shortcomings. This study revealing the lethal dangers of estrogen imbalance was published in conventional medicine’s Bastille of knowledge—the Journal of the American Medical Association, yet doctors continue to design clinical trials on aging men that measure total and/or free testosterone levels, but fail to account for estradiol, which can sharply increase when large doses of testosterone are administered. Low Testosterone Increases Prostate Cancer Risk Fear of prostate cancer is the leading reason why aging men have shied away from restoring their free testosterone to youthful ranges. To dispel this concern, Life Extension long ago analyzed every published study and found there is no basis for asserting that testosterone causes prostate cancer.89-94   Our observations from the thousands of blood tests we perform each year for members confirm this. What we found is that men with low testosterone appear to be more likely to contract prostate cancer. In the landmark book, Testosterone for Life (McGraw-Hill, 2008), Harvard professor Abraham Morgentaler thoroughly discredited the notion that testosterone causes prostate cancer.95 What came as a bombshell to the medical establishment was the compilation by Dr. Morgentaler of scientific facts showing that men with low testosterone levels have an increased percentage of prostate cancer-positive biopsies.96,97 To further help dispel the myth that higher testosterone levels increase PSA levels (and presumably prostate cancer risk), the two charts (on the next page) compiled from our blood test analysis clearly show that as free testosterone levels decline in aging men, their PSA levels sharply increase. What are Optimal Free Testosterone Levels? The number of men who suffer testosterone deficiency is so high that laboratory reference ranges accept ridiculously low levels as “normal.” We at Life Extension suggest that men maintain their free testosterone in the range of 20 to 25 pg/mL of blood.98 Others with expertise in this area believe free testosterone as low as 15 pg/mL is adequate.70 Conventional blood labs, on the other hand, say aging men are alright with as little as 6.6 pg/mL of free testosterone in their blood—an absurdly low level! Mainstream medicine’s ignorance regarding the need to maintain free testosterone in the higher ranges is a significant cause of premature disability and death in aging men. When Life Extension conducted a study of its members free testosterone blood levels two years ago, a startling 86% of the men had less than 15 pg/mL of free testosterone, placing them at high risk for virtually every age-related disease. Free testosterone is the biologically active form of this hormone measured in the blood. When looking at total testosterone blood levels, one should strive for a moderately youthful range of 700-900 ng/dL, though conventional reference ranges state that levels as low as 193 ng/dL are sufficient, a range that we at Life Extension believe is woefully inadequate. Low Estradiol and Testosterone Predict Mortality in Aging Men Sales of testosterone replacement drugs have surged more than 20-fold in response to studies linking low testosterone to a host of common maladies. In a study of 3,014 men aged 69-80 years, serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were measured during a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Men with low testosterone had 65% greater all-cause mortality, while men with low estradiol suffered 54% more deaths.40 Those men low in estradiol and testosterone were almost twice as likely to die (a 96% increase in mortality) compared to men in the optimal ranges.40 This large study of aged men corroborates prior published reports linking imbalances of testosterone and/or estradiol with greater incidences of degenerative disease and death.6,7,13-18 How Do Men Naturally Make Estrogen? Women synthesize most of their estrogen in their ovaries and other reproductive tissues. Since men lack this female anatomy, they need to produce estrogen through a process involving an enzyme called aromatase that transforms testosterone into estradiol. Aging men sometimes have too much aromatase activity, which causes their testosterone to convert to excess estradiol. This results in depletion of vital testosterone while spiking estradiol to unsafe ranges. Some men lack aromatase and suffer an estrogen deficit. Other men produce so little endogenous testosterone that there is not enough to convert into estrogen, which causes low levels of both free testosterone and estradiol. Fortunately, no matter what the underlying cause, aging men can easily achieve optimal free testosterone and estradiol serum levels. Free testosterone is the unbound form that is biologically available to cell receptor sites throughout the body. Measuring free testosterone blood levels is the most accurate way of assessing testosterone status in aging men. How Aging Men Can Control Their Estrogen Levels An epidemic problem we at Life Extension observe in aging male members is insufficient free testosterone, i.e., less than 15-20 pg/mL of serum. When accompanied by excess estradiol (over 30 pg/mL of serum), this can signal excess aromatase enzyme activity. Excess aromatase robs men of their testosterone while exposing them to higher than desirable estradiol.99 Aromatase can be suppressed with absorbable forms of chrysin (a plant flavonoid) and/or lignans such as those extracted from the Norway spruce tree (HMRlignan™).100-104 If these nutrients fail to reduce estradiol adequately, then we suggest that men ask their doctor to prescribe a low-cost generic aromatase-inhibiting drug like anastrolzole in doses as low as 0.5 mg twice a week. When aromatase is properly suppressed, estradiol levels are reduced to safe ranges, while free testosterone often increases, since less testosterone is being aromatized into estradiol. Why Some Men Need Topical Testosterone Creams Most testosterone in a man’s body emanates from the testes. Aging results in a decline in testicular output, thus necessitating the topical application of a testosterone cream to restore this vital hormone to youthful levels. Ideal free serum testosterone levels for most aging men are between 20-25 pg/mL. As you may surmise, a man who produces too little testosterone risks a lethal deficiency of both free testosterone and estradiol. That’s because men need testosterone to synthesize estradiol in their bodies. In the presence of insufficient testosterone production, some aging men are vulnerable to low free testosterone and low estradiol that according to the latest study almost doubles their risk of dying over a 4.5 year period!40 Testosterone Decline and Aging Aging is accompanied by reduced levels of hormones required to sustain life. As testosterone levels decline in men, their risk of dying markedly increases.105-107 Heart disease,7,19,63,73,108 osteoporosis,109-111 and muscle wasting112-114 are strongly linked to testosterone deficiency, as are chronic inflammatory 13,115and neurodegenerative disorders.18,116 Most doctors are surprised to learn that men with low testosterone show an increased incidence of prostate cancer.117-121 Long before life prematurely ends, testosterone deficit can manifest in the form of psychological disturbances such as depression,122-125 reduced sexual desire,126-129 and a loss of sense of well-being.125,130 The encouraging news is that restoring testosterone to youthful ranges can easily be accomplished at minimal cost. The Most Recent Study on Testosterone and Vitamin D Blood Levels As this article was being finalized, the findings from a brand new study were released that measured free testosterone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood levels in a large group (2,069) men who were referred for coronary angiography.131 The results were nothing short of startling for those who fail to maintain optimal blood ranges of vitamin D and testosterone. The researchers conducting this study carefully adjusted for confounding factors like age, body-mass-index, active smoking, physical activity, diabetes, C-reactive protein, prevalent coronary artery disease, serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone. After study researchers corrected for these confounding factors, they found that in comparison with people having higher levels of 25-hydroxy- vitamin D and free testosterone in the body: Deficiencies of either free testosterone or 25-hydroxyvitaimin D resulted in a 40% increased risk for all-cause mortality (p=0.002); Deficiencies of free testosterone and 25-hydroxyvitaimin D resulted in a 111% increased risk for all-cause mortality (p<0.001). Deficiencies of free testosterone and 25-hydroxyvitaimin D resulted in a 77% increased risk for cardiovascular mortality (p<0.001); Deficiencies of either free testosterone or 25-hydroxyvitaimin D resulted in a 60% increased risk for non-cardiovascular mortality (p=0.011); Deficiencies of free testosterone and 25-hydroxyvitaimin D resulted in a 133% increased risk for non-cardiovascular mortality (p<0.001). These sharp increases in mortality in response to deficiencies of testosterone and/or vitamin D reveal how far behind mainstream cardiologists are in treating patients with coronary artery disease. This study makes it abundantly clear that aging men should strive to achieve optimal blood levels of vitamin D and free testosterone, something that many Life Extension male members have been doing for the past three decades. Critical Importance of Blood Testing Today’s conventional physicians prescribe blood tests to check glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, but rarely check their male patients’ free testosterone and estradiol levels. When looking at the horrifically high mortality rates associated with imbalances of these critical hormones, it becomes strikingly apparent that a significant number of heart attacks, strokes, bone fractures, and other degenerative diseases are easily preventable. One reason these hormone blood tests are not normally prescribed is their high retail cost, and the fact that many insurance companies refuse to pay for them. As a member of the Life Extension Foundation®, you don’t have to be victimized by conventional medical ignorance, high prices, or insurance company indifference. Take Charge of Your Health with Low-Cost Blood Testing An all-inclusive blood test panel that includes free testosterone and estradiol can retail for $1,000 at commercial labs. Life Extension members can obtain these same tests for only $199 during the Blood Test Super Sale. If your blood test result reveals an imbalance of free testosterone and/or estradiol, you are in a position to initiate immediate corrective action. Not only can restoring youthful hormone balance save your life, but men (and women) often experience an enhancement in their quality of life after their hormones are adjusted to optimal ranges. A complete description of the Male and Female Panels can be found at the end of this article. As you’ll readily see, these panels contain many important tests (such as total and free testosterone, estradiol, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and DHEA) that mainstream doctors seldom check for. You’ll also see that we added the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test to the low-priced Male and Female Panels, so members can easily attain optimal vitamin D levels in their body. When you order these tests, a requisition form is sent listing blood drawing stations in your local area. Appointments are usually not necessary, meaning you can have your blood drawn at your convenience. To order a comprehensive Male and/or Female Blood Test Panel, just call 1-800-208-3444. It is the single most important step you can take to ensure your continued good health. The Blood Test Super Sale ends June 4, 2012, so you should order your tests soon and have your blood drawn any time thereafter at your convenience. For longer life, William Faloon References 1. Bhasin S, Parker RA, Sattler F, et al. Effects of testosterone supplementation on whole body and regional fat mass and distribution in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men with abdominal obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Mar;92(3):1049-57. 2. Chen RY, Wittert GA, Andrews GR. Relative androgen deficiency in relation to obesity and metabolic status in older men. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2006 Jul;8(4):429-35. 3. Abate N, Haffner SM, Garg A, Peshock RM, Grundy SM. Sex steroid hormones, upper body obesity, and insulin resistance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Oct;87(10):4522-7. 4. Boyanov MA, Boneva Z, Christov VG. Testosterone supplementation in men with type 2 diabetes, visceral obesity and partial androgen deficiency. Aging Male. 2003 Mar;6(1):1-7. 5. Grossmann M, Thomas MC, Panagiotopoulos S, et al. Low testosterone levels are common and associated with insulin resistance in men with diabetes. 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