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| Q: Is hormone therapy safe? |
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Yes. There are numerous studies that have come out in the past several years that have attested to not only safety but also studies have established the fact that a body with health hormoses is healthier than the body that does not have healthy hormones This assumes treatment is done properly and monitored on a regular basis. More detail: Testosterone needs to be delivered directly into the blood stream -- injections, topical cream, etc.,. Never through the stomach -- it can cause liver damage. Testosterone needs to be given in small frequent doses. Optimal level is a Free testosterone of 250pg to 350pg. Most doctors only test total testosterone --it is not the best number on which to base treatment. If total is the only number available the level should be somewhere around 800ng to 1000ng. Estrogen -- a man needs a little but not a lot --optimal level 15pg to 40pg. Excess estrogen can be harmful. It can cause water retention, off sets the effects of testosterone and increases the possibility of prostate cancer. This is of particular concern in men with body fat particularly around the belly. There is an enzyme in fat that causes testosterone to convert to estrogen. If conversion is an issue we put the man on an estrogen blocker. We find this problem in about 65% of our clients. About 80% of those clients watch their diet and increase activity such that they lose the fat and we can take them off the blocker within 6 months. Thyroid- is critically important and treating testosterone without checking and treating thyroid if necessary is foolish mistreatment. Optimal level 350pg to 425pg. Thyroid increases metabolism. It can also cause an increase in blood pressure in some men. We therefore monitor it closely. Testing -- we monitor hormones by doing periodic testing and ensuring doctor review and interaction. Bottom line - hormone treatment is safe and healthy if done correctly.
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