- Is defined as low testosterone and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) levels in men which occur due to a natural decline in the production of these hormones as men age.
- Also known as ADAM (Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Male) or Late Onset Hypogonadism.
- Testosterone levels begin to decline 1-2% per year beginning at the age of 30.
- Occurs in all males over time.
- Nearly 40% of men 45 years of age or older were found to have hypogonadism (low testosterone levels with symptoms).
- 4-5 million men in America have low testosterone due to andropause.
- Only 5-10 percent are of these men are receiving treatment.
- 6.5 million American men are estimated to have low testosterone levels by the year 2025.
- The symptoms and health risks of Andropause are the same as the
symptoms of low testosterone and the
health risks of low testosterone.
What Causes Andropause?
- The natural decline in testosterone levels as men age are due to:
- Decreased testosterone production from the testicles which occurs due to either:
- A decrease in testicular response to Luteinizing Hormone (LH) as males age.
OR
- A decrease in the production and release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland as males age.
- LH is the hormone that signals the testicles to produce testosterone.
- There is increased production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) as males age.
- SHBG binds to testosterone with high affinity resulting in less of the total testosterone being available for the body to use.
Medical Studies Verifying Andropause:
-
 38.7% of men 45 years of age or older were found to have hypogonadism (low testosterone levels with symptoms).
- 2,162 patients from 130 primary care physicians.
- Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey
- 1,475 patients ages 30-79.
- 5.6% of these patients had symptomatic androgen deficiency (low testosterone levels along with symptoms).
- 6.5 million American men are estimated to have symptomatic androgen deficiency by the year 2025.
- Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
- 890 men.
- Percentage of men who had low free testosterone (hypogonadism):
- 9 percent of men in their 50’s.
- 34 percent of men in their 60’s.
- 68 percent of men in their 70’s.
- 91 percent of men in their 80's.
- Massachusetts Male Aging Study
- 1709 men ages 40-70 years.
- 12% of these patients had low testosterone levels.
- Total testosterone decreased 0.4% per year.
- Free testosterone decreased 1.2% per year.
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) increased 1.2% per year.
- The testosterone that binds to SHBG can not be used by the body.
- Increasing SHBG results in less testosterone available for the body to use.
- The European Male Aging Study
- 3220 men ages 40 to 79 years.
- Total testosterone decreased 0.4% per year.
- Free testosterone decreased 1.3% per year.
Why over 5 million men in America with low testosterone are not being treated:
- Symptoms are often subtle and non-specific.
- Many patients assume that the symptoms that they have from low testosterone are just “a part of getting older”.
- The symptoms are not as recognizable due to the slow decline in hormone levels in men over time (unlike menopause which occurs suddenly).
- For example, if a 20 year old man woke up one morning as a 50 year old, all of the symptoms would be very obvious.
- Physicians are not trained to recognize it even if the patient seeks his doctor’s help.
- This results in a patient’s symptoms of low testosterone being misdiagnosed by the patient’s doctor.
- For example, a man with low testosterone goes to their primary care doctor complaining of low energy, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction and depressed mood. The physician’s does not recognize these as symptoms of low testosterone and misdiagnoses the patient as having:
- Erectile Dysfunction – Viagra is prescribed.
- Depression – An anti-depressant is prescribed.
- Most physicians are not properly trained to treat low testosterone even if they recognize that the patient has low testosterone.
- Testosterone levels that are too high or if the physician does not balance all of the other hormone levels with testosterone replacement can result in:
- Elevated cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of liver disease, increased risk of kidney disease, polycythemia (excessive red blood cell production), gynecomastia (man boobs), hair loss, acne, water retention, and prostate enlargement.
- Testosterone levels that are too low will result in:
- No noticeable benefits of the testosterone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of Andropause
- Are the same as the symptoms of low testosterone.
- Many men assume that the symptoms that they have are “just a part of getting older”.
- These symptoms that are assumed to be due to aging are often due to low testosterone levels.
- These symptoms are completely reversed and alleviated by testosterone replacement therapy in men who have low testosterone levels.
- Symptoms of Low Testosterone are:
- Decreased energy levels and Fatigue
- Loss of motivation for work and exercise
- Decreased level of fitness
- Decreased effectiveness of workouts
- Decline in sexual function
- Decreased sex drive (libido)
- Decreased erectile tension (hardness) and endurance
- Decreased morning erections
- Decreased intensity of orgasms
- Longer recovery time between orgasms
- Body composition changes
- Decreased muscle mass, strength and endurance.
- Increased fat accumulation (especially belly fat)
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability (“Grumpy Old Man Syndrome”)
- Worsening Brain Function
- Decreased memory
- Decreased concentration
- Joint Pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Hot Flashes
- Night Sweats
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea
- Hair Loss
- Gynecomastia
Health Risks of Andropause
- Are the same as the health risks of low testosterone.
- Health Risks of Low Testosterone are:
- Decreased Muscle Strength
- Increases the risk of falling as one ages.
- Results in increased risk of hip fractures
- 50% of elderly die within the first year of a hip fracture.
- Osteoporosis
- Also significant increases the risk of hip fractures and other broken bones.
- Mental Decline
- Increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease
- Increased risk of Depression
- Worsening memory and concentration
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Hypertension – High Blood Pressure
- Hyperlipidemia – High Cholesterol
- Obesity (especially abdominal fat)
- Increased Risk of Heart Disease
- Due to increase risk factors – Metabolic syndrome
- Vascular system
- Older clinical trials showed that testosterone replacement relieved symptoms of angina and peripheral vascular disease.
- Transdermal testosterone therapy improved exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (measured as time to ST depression).
- Testosterone dilates blood vessels which decreases pressure against the heart resulting in less strain on the heart.
- Low Testosterone results in increased artery stiffness due to increased arterial calcification.
- Lipids and inflammatory cytokines
- Low testosterone is associated with:
- Higher total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (bad cholesterol).
- Lower HDL (good cholesterol).
- Higher inflammatory cytokines (increased inflammation).
Your Solution to Andropause: Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Balancing of All Hormones
- Will reverse all of the symptoms of Andropause listed above.
- Will significantly improve the patient’s health and prevent chronic disease and illness in the future.
- Can be administered by injections, cream, pill, or through pellets inserted under the skin.
Are there Any Side Effects?
- There will be minimal to no side effects when the physician prescribing the hormones is an expert and specialist in hormone replacement therapy.
- Most physicians do not have the proper training in hormone replacement therapy.
- All physicians (M.D. and D.O.) are able to prescribe hormones despite their lack of knowledge and experience in the specialized field of hormone replacement therapy.
- Testosterone levels that are too high or if the physician does not balance all of the other hormone levels with testosterone replacement can result in:
- Elevated cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of liver disease, increased risk of kidney disease, polycythemia (excessive red blood cell production), gynecomastia (man boobs), hair loss, acne, water retention, and prostate enlargement.
- Testosterone levels that are too low will result in:
- No noticeable benefits of the testosterone replacement therapy.
Why Choose Genesis Health Institute?
- Our expert physician, Dr. George Shanlikian, specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (bhrt), nutrition, nutritional supplements and fitness.
- Dr. George has spent hundreds of hours of training in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and has helped thousands of women and men suffering from the symptoms of hormone imbalance.
- Based on the patient’s lab results and symptoms, Dr. George will prescribe an individually customized hormone program to alleviate all symptoms of hormonal imbalance by balancing all of the hormones levels including low testosterone.
- Dr. George also develops an individualized nutrition plan, supplement regimen and fitness program for each patient based on that patient’s health and fitness goals.
- There are very few physicians that have the training, background and expertise of Dr. George.
3 Steps Away from Hormone Balance and a New, Younger, Healthier You!
1. Contact the office at 888-894-3637 or you can fill out the form below and we will contact you to see how we can help.
2. We will get you set up for a detailed lab panel which will examine hormonal imbalances along with overall health.
3. Once the lab results are back, we will contact you to set you up for an appointment with Dr. George who will explain your lab results in detail. Based on your lab results and symptoms, Dr. George will customize a hormone program, nutrition plan, nutritional supplement regimen and exercise routine designed to help you reach your health and fitness goals.
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