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Testosterone Benefits, HRT for men

§ HRT men, Testosterone Benefits (7 pages) LINKS  http://healthfully.org/rc/id7.html   /male hormones  1/28/22

The state of medical science is worse than imagined.  For exposes on bad pharma read, Marketing Science, Side Effects, and Junk treatments . Testosterone (TTT) usage has come under attack by pharma and the FDA for the sake of pharma’s profits.  The FDA issued a black-box warning for TTT exposure of children by contact with a user.[1]   Pharma attacks TTT (which is not patented) for causing aggressive prostate cancer and Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD); both are not just false, the opposite is true--see next page. Keeping the youthful level of TTT has major health benefits for both men past 60 and women past 50. [2]  The testicles produce 95% of the TTT, about 5 mg/day & about 50 to 100 mcg of estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  In women TTT is synthesized by the corpus luteum (adjacent to the ovaries) and the adrenal cortex--TTT’s level is about 1/7^th of a man’s, and it is more bioactive.  TTT is 60% bonded to a plasma protein, 38% to albumin, and 2% free.  DHT and TTT are androgens and thus build muscle mass.  DHT is 3-5 times more potent than testosterone or other androgens (except in skeletal muscle tissue, where testosterone is the main androgen).  TTT & DHT freely enters target cells and binds to intracellular receptors which then bind to DNA promoting gene transcription.  DHT is more active at these sites.  DHT is necessary in early development for enlargement of the prostate, penis, and hair growth at the time of puberty.  The pituitary gland secretes LH and FSH; they act on the testes to stimulate the production of sperm and TTT.  Estrogen (estradiol) is a vital component of the male physiology, and in fact is made from TTT.  Estrogen decreases LH production and thus TTT. The normal range for TTT is 13 - 40 nmol/L (370 - 1100 ng/dL), and for estradiol is 55 -165 pmol (10 - 30 ng/dL)--the first is the high levels for 80-year old man followed high level for a 20-year old.  “Although, this doesn't automatically mean that a young man with 380 ng/dL has the same amount of testosterone of an 80+ year old, since there is usually a big difference in SHBG levels in the bloodstream between young and elderly, resulting in a much higher free testosterone level in the young…” Wiki , and. The bioactivity of TTT declines significantly with age, at--like so much else serum TTT has declined over40% in the last 100 years, reason unknown—JK guess for cause is estrogen & TTT mimics of which soy protein is the best researched.[3]       

Noticeable improvements with topical testosterone, timeline to significant improvement—(Eur J Endocrinol. 2011, Nov. 675-85)

Sexual interest 6 weeks      Erection/ejaculation  26 weeks      Quality of life  4+ weeks       Depressed mood   30 weeks    Erythropoiesis-red cells   52 weeks  Lipid profile  52 weeks    Insulin sensitivity  52 weeks    Muscle strength 16 weeks                               Reduced fat mass   16 weeks     Reduced inflammation                  12 weeks     Bone mass detectable at    6 weeks (versus gradual erosion, prevents osteoporosis).  Same benefits findings at.

“A new concept of the role of testosterone in male physiology suggests that testosterone plays also a significant role in the development and maintenance of bone and muscle mass and is a determinant of glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism…. Treatment of testosterone deficiency is to become part and parcel of this approach”, at 2008. 

Mitochondrial dysfunction:  This explains all the benefits below!  Mitochondria have sex steroids (including DHEA) that turn up the various processes that protect the mitochondria from damage by reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species.  Optimal mitochondrial functions entail an adequate supply of the energy molecule ATP, which is what fats and carbohydrates are used to make through their conversion acetyl-CoA and pyruvate in the cytosol and then transported into the mitochondria to make the essential ATP.  EVERY PROCESS IN THE BODY RUNS ON ATP. Early in 2018, I came to the realization that the long list of conditions associated with the western diet had as a starting point the reactive sugar fructose damages mitochondrial DNA.  Subsequent investigation found that the sex hormones TTT and estradiol are mitochondrial protective from reactive chemicals, and this is the mechanism behind their long list of benefits.  “Both steroids trigger a complex molecular mechanism that involves crosstalk between the mitochondria, nucleus, and the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The result of this signaling is mitochondrial protection”, at Sept 2013. “Our results indicate that testosterone improves cell survival and mitochondrial membrane potential and reduces nuclear fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These effects were accompanied by a positive regulation of neuroglobin, an oxygen-binding and sensor protein, which may serve as a regulator of ROS and nitrogen reactive species (NOS), . . .  these findings suggest that astroglia may mediate some of the protective actions of testosterone in the brain upon pathological conditions.” At June 2016 and similar for cyto-protection and cardiac recovery after MI, at 2004.  The mitochondria convert ADP to ATP, which provides 90% of the energy used in the body (source is fats and glucose).  By TTT protecting the mitochondria more ATP is made, which among other things powers the processes known as autophagy (healing)n process on a cellular level.  The decline in the rate of mitochondria and thus autophagy explains why the elderly have so many health issues, and why TTT & DHEA supplement for men have so many varied health benefits.[1]  Unfortunately, the pharma is in the business of treating illness and of education, thus through their Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) pharma creates opposes steroid supplements as does their dupes, the pill pushers.

Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s Diseases:  “Beta amyloid accumulation in the brain is the physical manifestation for AD.  TTT decreases amyloid secretion from rat cortical neurons¹⁵ and reduces amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in cultured hippocampal neurons”¹⁶ Moffat, and,  “TTT reduces neuronal secretion of Alzheimer's β-amyloid [Aβ] peptides.”  Based on in vitro study a decrease in Aβ release was observed.  “[L]ong-term testosterone concentrations in individuals prior to the diagnosis of dementia.… The results of this study revealed an approximate 10% reduction in the risk for AD for each unit increase in free testosterone. Moffat; a 26% decrease for each 10-nmol FTI increase.  at and, at, and. Method through modifying APOE genotype and BRACE1. Parkinson’s Disease, TTT improves function, patient deficiency.  A study of hypoxia and DHEA, TTT, and estradiol and their metabolite epiandrosterone (EPIA) found EPIA neuro-protective.

Andropause, the condition of low TTT which is symptomatic including loss of muscle mass & libido, depression, increased abdominal fat, MeS, insulin resistance all of which come on slowly and often are not addressed by TTT treatment significantly improved symptoms.

Arthritis:  Significantly reduced levels of serum free testosterone were found in the RA group [rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoporosis group], BMJ Jan 1988.  “Free and serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in the RA males than in either the AS [ankylosing spondylitis] group or the healthy controls” Clinical rheumatology 1989. 

Cancer, Since TTT promotes overall health and exercise, and those who are most fit have a lower risk of developing cancer.  This possible needs investigation “Testosterone exerts pro-apoptotic [cell death] effects in prostate and colon cancer cells through membrane-initiated mechanism.” at 2013.  Elevated sex hormones through the apoptosis system of dismantling defective cells lowers the risk for cancer, at 2011

Breast Cancer, reduces risk of breast cancer in women by stimulating immune system, and occupies ER receptors on the breast thereby preventing estrogens attaching there. Kathy Maupin, The Secret of Female Hormone P 165.  Also 2015, 2009, 2009,.and 2004, for metastatic 2014.  Population studies are flawed because of obesity causing increased estrogens.  The obese are insulin resistance which increases all cancer-type risks.  Insulin resistance is the confounding variable. 

Prostate Cancer:  Low levels of TTT are associated with both higher risk and disease progression. “In our study patients with prostate cancer and low free TTT had more extensive disease”, also, also.  “This finding suggests that low serum free TTT may be a marker for more aggressive disease.”  This evidence calls to question chemical castration for prostate cancer.  The theory that TTT regulates in later life the growth of the prostate organ is without valid support.  Like the penis, the window for growth closes after puberty.  Both organs are a result of DHT not TTT.   Moreover, TTT is only essential for prostatic secretion; not its growth.  Harvard Medical School and Prof. Abraham Morgentaler MD, Testosterone for Life, p. 115-139 reviews the source (Dr. Huggins).  They found the work junk science, and not supported by subsequent journal articles.  Very low TTT from castration slows the rate of growth and giving a TTT supplement subsequently stimulates growth.  Only those who had very low testosterone, such as those who as part of the treatment for prostate cancer experience this effect.  However, for those with normal TTT supplement doesn’t accelerate growth.  Huggins and latter Fowler and Whitmore demonstrated what Prof. Morgentaler calls “testosterone flare” P. 129-131, also.  A that study measured TTT in the prostates showed that with normal level the prostate dose not adsorb more. It is like thirst, once enough more TTT isn’t adsorb.  That is why though TTT supplement for those with normal level don’t experience an accelerated rate of prostate cancer growth.  In fact, those with high serum TTT are at significantly lower risk.  The use of TTT in all men as it declines with age below 450 ng/dL, would lower their risk.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Metabolic Syndrome (MeS) , atherogenesis, MI, high cholesterol, obesity, & blood glucose:  Numerous studies link obesity to low TTT, atherosclerosis, to obesity, at, and hypertension, and TTT administered improves those with MeS, at.  TTT treatment results in weight loss, at.  “Emerging evidence suggests that testosterone therapy may be able to reverse some aspects of metabolic syndrome” metastudy, and.   And another:  “These results suggest that low SHBG [sex hormone-binding globulin] and/or AD [androgen deficiency, TTT] may provide early warning signs for cardiovascular risk and an opportunity for early intervention in non-obese men.”   In a matched study followed ten years published by the AHA  found that the lowest quarter of men were 41% more likely to die from cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to the highest quarter.  Low TTT is associated with cardiovascular disease. TTT Inhibits atherogenesis:  in a survey paper,  “Positive correlation between total or free testosterone level and HDL and a negative association the LDL” and.   Conclusion:  “A normal physiological level of TTT in men protects against the development of high cholesterol, insulin resistance,  hypertensions, clots that cause heart attacks, obesity, and increased waist:hip ratio, all of which predispose to the development of CVD.  Low or low normal TTT is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute MI and acute stroke.  The decline of TTT with age may explain the greater risk of CVD with advancing years” and [medical terminology simplified by jk].  TTT promotes through cardiac mitochondria protection a better outcome following an MI, at 2004.  A literature-review study confirms TTT positive effects upon vascular functions--2012.  After controlling for factors low TTT associated with MI, positive effect upon fibrinolytic pathway, reduces angina.  Current claims counter this are based on recent marketing studies, and a July 2014 Lancet article contradicts those findings, and 2008.  “Testosterone induces cyto-protection by activating ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels in cardiac mitochondrial inner membrane,” FULL at 2004.   TTT is good for your heart (2013 review) & health, but not for pharma, who with NIH goes after its usage. “This result could suggest that the development of cardiovascular disease after menopause is due not only to estrogen decline but also to androgen decline. More studies are needed to evaluate the role of androgen replacement therapy on postmenopausal women with low level of this hormone” at 2007.  The heart is a muscle, and TTT builds muscle, ergo, it lowers MI in both men and women. 

Endothelial cell dysfunction prevented, the compromised performance of the single layer of squamous cells lining all the blood that form an interface between circulating blood content and interior tissue.  Endothelial dysfunction (the gateway) is responsible for over 95% of all cardiovascular disease.  Estradiol significant improves the performance of these cells.  Low TTT is associated with endothelial dysfunction, 2007  

Cognitive Function: “Several observations suggest that testosterone is also capable of modulating neural systems in adult animals. For example, androgen treatment prevents N-methyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) excite-toxicity in hippocampal neurons¹² and may facilitate recovery after injury by promoting fiber outgrowth and sprouting.¹³   Administration of TTT increases nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the hippocampus, and induces an up-regulation of NGF receptors in the forebrain.  TTT was protective of human primary neurons in culture, providing the most direct evidence for neuro-protective effects of TTT on human neural tissue”(Moffat), widely supported.  Equivocal finding are because of the study’s design.  TTT reduces the rate of age-related cognitive decline.

Neurosteroids, are produced locally in the brain; they promote brain health in the aging population, they turn up autophagy, the cells healing and replacement processes at 2012, 2019.  “Of neurosteroids as modulators of brain function. This review considers potential mechanisms contributing to antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of allopregnanolone and other GABAergic neurosteroids 2019.  “Multiple studies have been conducted so far to show efficacy of neurosteroids” Full seminal.  Autophagy turns up the production of TTT by promoting cholesterol uptake, full 2018

Diabetes and insulin resistance:  Multiple studies found that type-2 diabetes associated with low TTT, and lowest TTT diabetes have double the death rate at, insulin role.  After one year on TTT exercise and diet 81% improved, vs 31% for those without TTT, also, &.   “Low testosterone precedes elevated fasting insulin, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) values and may even predict the onset of diabetes. Treatment of prostate cancer patients with surgical or medical castration exacerbates IR and glycemic control,” at 2009, and replacement TTT improves survival, at 2013.  Insulin resistance is strongly associated with CVD, and inflammation, and anti-inflammatory action reduces IR at 2003.  

Metabolic syndrome a collection of markers for fructose induced insulin resistance has been grouped into metabolic syndrome. They are caused by the high-fructose western diet which causes much more when compared to those life-long on a low sugar diet.  Even so, the risk of MeS is less with adequate TTT and much higher when elderly.  “The metabolic syndrome is associated with lower-than-normal testosterone levels” at 2008, treatment with TTT, 2005, and 2009.  

Mitochondria  a big piece of the puzzle for why TTT and E2 (estradiol) have a wide spectrum of benefits is because of receptors in the mitochondria.  Simply put at the heart of our current health disaster (known as conditions associated with the western diet) is damage to the mitochondria which produce our energy molecule ATP.  Reduced rate of metabolism of glucose from dysfunction causes in resistance a major cause for age related conditions in part by causing low TTT and insulin and leptin resistance..  Nature does function to make us sick, and with aging the level of these hormones and DHEA decline precipitously, significantly more than populations on a low sugar diet.  The combination of accelerated decline in mitochondrial functions is the most significant pathogenic consequence of our high fructose diet.  Part of that process involves the steroids, and thus to raise them to a youthful level or to be in the top of your age group, improves mitochondrial functions.  Nature functions to keep us health and cull the aged from the tribal group; elevation of these hormones slow that process.  “Both steroids trigger a complex molecular mechanism that involves crosstalk between the mitochondria, nucleus, and plasma membrane, and the cytoskeleton plays a key role in these interactions. The result of this signaling is mitochondrial protection’ at 2013. “Testosterone levels were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity” 2005.

Mood elevation, cognitive functions, mental & physical well-being & sexual drive:  with all these positive effects both quality of life and mood elevation improve.  DHT & its metabolites have powerful euphoriant, libido, anti-anxiety, & antidepressant effects.   As stated before benefits are dose related, and they come on slowly over a period of one year.   It is NOT a coincidence that as the TTT level drops with age that numerous age-related conditions develop and the quality of life decreases.   Sexual performance and drive improves mainly because of increased strength, endurance, & mental alertness, i.e., general well-being.  Quality study at 18 years found the lowest 1/3^rd had a 33% greater death rate.   At youthful level TTT dramatically improves health, quality, and duration of life.   Through protection of mitochondria, and thus increased ATP, TTT improves cognitive function see 2016

Neurosteroids: (HEALTHY BRAIN): “These brain-mainly glia cells produces sex steroids that are labeled “neurosteroids”, and have been found to exert important regulatory functions” at 2008.  I have I have extensively reviewed the literature on pregnenolone, estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA and their storage form such as DHEAS and pregnenolone sulfate and their supplement explains their benefits for many age related neurodegenerative conditions is the best treatment (contrary to pharma’s warnings). Nature doesn’t evolve their bio-usages contrary to village survival.                                     

Osteoporosis & bone density:  “The most significant increase in BMD [bone mass density] was seen during the first year of TTT treatment in previously untreated patients, when BMD increased from 95.2 ± 5.9 to 120.0 ± 6.1 mg/cm³ hydroxyapatite (mean ± SE). Long term TTT treatment maintained BMD in the age-dependent reference range in all 72 hypogonadal men….”  Protects against rheumatoid arthritis.   Low TTT associated with RH.  TTT encourages bone marrow stimulation and reversing the effects of anemia.

Sarcopenia refers to the loss of skeletal muscle mass with age and is associated with low levels of TTT. “We have found a prevalence of sarcopenia of 22.6% in older postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen.”   TTT prevents and reverses sarcopenia in men and women through the simulation of the growth differentiation factor & lowering myostatin. 

Strength-weight (improved lean body mass to fat ratio) and obesity:  Study shows that 65 years of age men lost 3 kg of fat while gaining 1.9 kg of muscle mass over a 36 month period.    “After 3 months of TTT treatment, lean body mass was significantly increased”,…  Muscle adaptation to exercise is strongly influenced by anabolic endocrine hormones … whereas TTT and locally expressed IGF-I have been reported to activate muscle stem cells.  Several studies have reported …  maximal voluntary strength in healthy older men.”  “It is known that plasma total testosterone (T) is decreased in obese men in proportion to the degree of obesity,”  Not just TTT, muscle growth depends on usage.

Skin healthier: “The implication of this finding is that oestrogen or testosterone, or both, prevents the decrease in skin collagen content that occurs with aging and protects skin in the same way as it protects bone in postmenopausal women.” Brincat 1983.  The focus of research on TTT is on application of transdermal patches, not skin health; however, since there is ample evidence that estradiol enhances collagen over 45% (BMJ), a similar effect for TTT is likely.

Vascular aging slowed: TTT is good for endothelial cells, the gate keepers in the artery walls thus preventing CVD Campelo et al., 2012, and Foresta et al., 2008 .  Lowers blood pressure a causal factor for CVD through nitrous oxide production Yue et al., 1995 and  Nguyen et al., 2011 reduces arterial stiffness Yaron et al., 2009.  Promotes production of prostaglandins, thus interfere with vascular function via changes in the thromboxane/COX pathway Cheuk et al., 2000; Song et al., 2004.   For in depth summary article click on link.

Testosterone supplement and longevity, while the literature fails to address this question in population studies, studies have shown that those in the top 20% have lower rates of cancer, MI, sarcopenia, etc., and this is strong indirect of its benefits, and thus youthful level of TTT by logic would be better, and this made all the more so by associated life-style changes.  A look at elderly weight lifters (obviously on androgens) confirms this conclusion.  The protective effect for mitochondria results in life extension.

Testosterone (TTT) for women:  Cognitive function:  “Effects of testosterone on visual-spatial performance has been suggested by enhanced performance in females exposed prenatally to excess androgens.  Women with higher scores on mental status had significantly higher total and bio-available testosterone levels.” (Moffat).  In a study of women 55-88 years of age, those with the higher levels of TTT adjusted for age performed significantly better. Sexual desire: “Compared with placebo, women receiving the 300-µg/dL testosterone patch had significantly greater increases from baseline in sexual desire (67% vs 48%; P = .05) and in frequency of satisfying sexual activity (79% vs 43%; P = .049).” Vaginal estrogen creams and TTT reverse vaginal atrophy.  Mood elevation:  “The positive-well-being, depressed-mood, and composite scores of the Psychological General Well-Being Index also improved at the higher dose”.   Concern over masculinization is misplaced: the dose is insufficient and dihydrotestosterone (not TTT) is responsible for masculinization.  Women body builders use a very high dose of androgens.  Third reason in the 80’s and 90’s there was widely marketed, mainly in Europe, a formulation of HRT with TTT (instead of progestin), still sold in the US as Estratest.   TTT is natural for women since about 10% of their estradiol is converted to TTT (and the converse for men producing estradiol).  TTT patch for women is available.  See the 6 pages on HRT for list of benefits, especially for natural HRT of estradiol and progesterone.  If wishing to increase muscle mass and sexual drive, I recommended for my wife 50 mgs pf TTT.  Higher if she had wanted to increase muscle mass, and half that, 25 mgs in a compounded lotion for hormonal replacement.  Lotions supply only about 10% of the sex hormones, and 30% vaginally.   

Health, testosterone like estradiol is taken for health benefits to slow the effects of aging.  Evolution to limit the burden of the elderly causes a sharp drop in the levels of the sex steroids.  Supplements slows the decline.  Unfortunately, our high sugar western diet was not part of our evolutionary history, and the high amount of the reactive sugar fructose (one half of the disaccharide sucrose, table sugar) over taxes the cellular repair systems (autophagy)—journal articles, Prof. Robert Lustig.  This is the causes of the conditions that are virtually unknown among those on aboriginal diets. Besides HRT and low sugar diet, there is turning up autophagy by intermittent fasting (skipping breakfast) for which about 95% of adults will benefit—see and the video library,  Carbohydrates through insulin turn off autophagy. 

My beliefs (not recommendations):  Since 2004 at age of 61, I have used TTT lotion from a compounding pharmacy.  Currently  I am taking 4 times the highest dose available in patented formulas[1], and made even higher by improved absorption.  Only about 10% of topical TTT passes through the skin with standard application, thus my 375 mg (2.5 gm at 15%) is equal to a 37.5 mg injection.  I apply TTT widely as possible over the torso, back, shoulders, underarms, and face using water and rubbing it in to increase absorption percentage.  I noticed from 15 years of use (as of 2019): cognitive & mood benefits, increased energy, feeling well, resistance to weight gain, improved muscle tone, tight abs, at first moderate increase in strength as to weight load at the gym; and looking and feeling younger, thus TTT  has sex romantic benefits.  My TTT level averages the youthful 1,050 ng/dL, and my muscle tone is youthful.  For financial reasons Pharma offers limited effective doses.  Some doctors make a career out of hormone balancing.  I started at the age of 61 (2004) when my level of TTT 240 ng/dL (below 450 considered low, hypogonadism back then and should still be), for which I was prescribed 10% dose 2 gram = 200 mgs).   It was increased at the age of 68 to 2.5 grams, and from 10% to 15% at the age 70 (2013).   A daily 325 mg of aspirin uncoated lowers the risk of prostate cancer and other cancers at least 50% through the stimulation of the body’s apoptosis for destruction of abnormal cells, at, and, and.  In the feedback system, adding TTT lowers testicular production of TTT and also sperm count.  See Prof. Morgentaler supra, 145-7 for discussion of this issues including possible reduction in testicular size.  Oral form of TTT taken long-term poses risk of liver damage.  I have doubts about the modified TTT offered in injections, but haven’t research its risks.  The TTT patch for over half of users cause a skin rash/irritation—Androgel’s clinical trial submitted to FDA.  “Multiple studies of prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have failed to show that the size of the prostate enlarges substantially with TTT therapy or causes a diminution in urinary function,” Morgentaler supra 149.  For above reasons higher dose lotion of TTT, I have been using in my 7^th decade.   In addition to TTT, I take since 2002 about 75 mg of DHEA, sublingually to avoid 95% first-pass metabolism by the liver.  Sublingually it suppresses appetite for an hour (a diet aid).   It has many health benefits, is available in power from Amazon, is the most common of the bioactive steroids made by the body, it declines like TTT and estradiol with age.  All three of the steroid and progesterone are neurosteroids made in the brain by the glia cells and others for improved functions.  As men enter their 6^th decade by design the steroids levels drop precipitously.  Low steroids are nature’s way of culling the burdensome elderly from the village.  Higher dose with age is needed because of the reduced bioactivity as mitochondrial production of ATP declines, and also because the receptors for steroids, like all protein receptors, become less functional.  Open your eyes and look at the senior weight lifters; steroids are good for health, thus bad for industries that profit from infirmities.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^  Non-technical summation^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Testosterone, what I have done:   the male hormone that is almost identical in structure to estrogen (estradiol) and thus has many of the same benefits as estrogen.  Significant benefits for testosterone:  quality of life in 4 weeks, depressed mood in 30 weeks, bone mass in 26 weeks,  lipid profile in 52, inflammation in 12 weeks, sexual interest in 6 weeks, erection/ejaculate on in 26 weeks,  red cells in  52 weeks, insulin sensitivity in 52 weeks , muscle strength in 16 weeks, fat mass in 16 weeks (Eur J Endocrinol. 2011).  Other benefits include improved cognitive function, reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the resultant heart attacks and strokes.  The negative claims made for testosterone is from pharma’s marketing science.  It is not associated with higher cholesterol levels or prostate cancer, but rather the reverse.  “Testosterone does not cause or produce deleterious effects on prostate cancer” Wiki, 2015.   When my serum TTT level dropped below 450, in 2003, I started with 200 mg of testosterone in a topical cream 10% from a  compounding pharmacy.  Commercial preparations are too weak.  My ideal level is 850 to 1000 ng/dL.  TTT was increased to 3 grams in 2008 and 15% mg in 2013 at age 70, because diminished--bio-receptors and response with age.  Current assay methods are inaccurate as to measure of free testosterone since it also includes DHEA.  I apply TTT as widely as possible over the torso, back, shoulders, underarms, and face, then  using water and rubbing it in to promote better absorption.  Doctors who follow a program of hormone balance are milking the insurance and patient.  Pharma which is in the business of treating illness and educating pill pusher, has convinced nearly all of them that there are major risks with male HRT.   A daily 325 mg of aspirin uncoated lowers the risk of prostate cancer and other cancers at least 50% through the stimulation of the body’s necrosis factor for destruction of abnormal cells, at, and, and.  Oral form of TTT taken long-term poses risk of liver damage.  The TTT patch for over half of users cause a skin rash/irritation. “Multiple studies of prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have failed to show that the size of the prostate enlarges substantially with TTT therapy or causes a diminution in urinary function,” Morgentaler supra 149.     In addition to TTT, I take since 2002 about 75 mg of DHEA, sublingually to avoid 95% first-pass metabolism by the liver.  Sublingually it suppresses appetite for an hour (a diet aid).   It has many health benefits, is available in power from Amazon, is the most common of the steroids. It declines like TTT with age, and is shown to extend quality life.