Decreased Testosterone and ED

Researchers writing in the Journal of Urology say that their study clearly demonstrated a decrease in testosterone level throughout a 4-year follow up in patients with ED.

El-Sakka AI, Hassoba HM. Age related testosterone depletion in patients with erectile dysfunction. J Urol. 2006 Dec;176(6):2589-93.

PURPOSE: We assessed the pattern of age related testosterone depletion in patients with erectile dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 305 patients with erectile dysfunction who had a normal testosterone level at baseline visit and who completed the study were candidates for analysis. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function. Patients underwent routine laboratory investigations plus total testosterone and prolactin assessment at the baseline visit and on a yearly basis for 4 years.

RESULTS: The mean age +/- SD was significantly higher in 210 patients with decreased testosterone (55.3 +/- 7.3 years) than in 95 patients with steady testosterone (remaining within the normal range) (50.8 +/- 10.2 years).

There was a significant decrease in yearly mean testosterone level throughout the study in all the age groups (determined by decades) older than 30 years.

Of the study population 68.9% had decreases in testosterone levels throughout the 4 years of visits.

Hypogonadism (testosterone lower than normal range) developed in 7.6% of the study population.

There was a significant decrease in mean testosterone at any visit in comparison to previous visits.

There were significant associations between decreased levels of testosterone and increased severity of erectile dysfunction at baseline visit, longer duration and poor metabolic control of diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hyperprolactinemia and low desire.

CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly demonstrated a decrease in testosterone level throughout the 4-year followup in patients with erectile dysfunction. Patients with decreasing testosterone were older than patients with a steady testosterone level.

Thyroid

The thyroid gland secretes the aptly named thyroid hormone. The over-production or under-production of this hormone can cause big problems in the body and lead to a myriad of symptoms that sometimes goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

What does thyroid hormone do?
It regulates:
– heart rate
– metabolism & body temperature
– cholesterol levels
– weight
– vision
– menstrual regularity

As we age, and our glands, including the thyroid produce less hormone, we typically fall into a syndrome of hypothyroidism.

Some of the signs of hypothyroidism are:
– slow-down of metabolism
– loss of energy, excessive fatigue
– weight gain, even with extreme dieting
– memory and mood disorders
– cold sensitivity
– menstrual problems
– constipation
– generalized hair loss
– thinning nails

Because a patient with hypothyroidism is not producing enough thyroid, the pituitary gland, which monitors thyroid levels in the blood, starts secreting TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). TSH “cracks the whip,” forcing the thyroid to work harder. The strain and stress on the thyroid may cause enlargement of the thyroid—a “goiter.”

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is not easily diagnosed by physicians because the symptoms are that which are routinely attributed to old age, that is the loss of energy, weight gain, etc. A “Thyroid Panel,” measuring TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels should be part of a basic blood chemistry panel in everyone over 30 so this “old age issue,” may be treated.

Normal blood work and abnormal symptoms
Thyroid testing is broken up into the thyroid hormone components Free T3 and Free T4.

Briefly, the designations come from the number of iodine molecules connected to the thyroid hormone. In T3 (triiodothyronine), it’s three iodine molecules, in T4 (thyroxine), it’s four.

T3 is much more potent than T4 but considerably less abundant in our bodies. To counterbalance T3 and T4 levels, our bodies, especially the liver, collect T4 and convert it into the higher potency T3. If there is a problem in this conversion process, even though blood tests would be considered “normal,” the patient is considered “sub-clinically,” hypothyroid. There may be enough circulating Free T4 in the blood, it is just not being converted to T3. The indications from these blood tests will help differentiate which type of thyroid supplementation should be recommended in each individual’s case.

The ratio of T4 to T3 in the body is a little more than 9 to 1. When hypothyroidism is diagnosed, typically it is T4 (Levothyroxine) that is prescribed. Why? Because many doctors believe that the body will convert the T4 to T3 as it is needed. However, occasionally, T4 will convert to an excess of reverse T3 which is ineffective in up regulating metabolism, and little T3 is produced, leaving a patient hypothyroid in spite of high T4 levels and low TSH levels. It is very important that the patient is closely monitored to indeed make sure that this is not happening. Some physicians also prescribe Armour thyroid, which is a combination of T3 and T4, or a compounded version can be made. Some doctors do not like to prescribe Armour because the T3-T4 ratio is not exactly standardized. Again close monitoring by a physician can gauge if the desired result is being achieved.

Questions About Thyroid Supplementation

When To Take Your Thyroid Supplementation?
Take your medication before breakfast on an empty stomach.

Many physicians believe that you can best absorb your thyroid medication by taking it on an empty stomach.

Additionally, some foods or supplements (those contain calcium and iron) may prevent proper absorption.

Remember that it is important to check thyroid levels regularly to regulate dosage and absorption. If there is an absorption problem or your dose needs to be adjusted, regular blood tests will bear this out.

How Do You Know You Are Reaching Your “Best” Thyroid Levels?
Thyroid supplementation for low or hypothyroid conditions should start effecting the following:

– An increase in metabolism
– An increase in energy
– Increase in your ability to lose weight
– Improvements in memory and mood
– Better digestion and regular bowel movements
– Hair loss BECAUSE of HYPOTHYROIDISM is reversed
– Improved condition of skin and nails

If you are on thyroid medication and are not seeing a more positive improvement than you or your doctor anticipated, regular blood tests should be performed to check thyroid levels and adjustments in medication or in dietary habits maybe needed.

Hypothyroidism and Low Testosterone Levels
Recent research published in the International Journal of Andrology says that there is a direct association between subclinical hypothyroidism and a reduction in testosterone levels in men and further, “Testosterone deficiency and its symptoms should be kept in view while managing subclinical hypothyroidism in male patients.”

Hypothyroidism is not easily diagnosed by physicians because the symptoms are that which are routinely attributed to old age, that is the loss of energy, weight gain, etc. A “Thyroid Panel,” measuring TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels should be part of a basic blood chemistry panel in everyone over 30 so this “old age issue,” may be treated.

Briefly, the designations come from the number of iodine molecules connected to the thyroid hormone. In T3 (triiodothyronine), it’s three iodine molecules, in T4 (thyroxine), it’s four.

T3 is much more potent than T4 but considerably less abundant in our bodies. To counterbalance T3 and T4 levels, our bodies, especially the liver, collect T4 and convert it into the higher potency T3. If there is a problem in this conversion process, even though blood tests would be considered “normal,” the patient is considered “sub-clinically,” hypothyroid. There may be enough circulating Free T4 in the blood, it is just not being converted to T3. The indications from these blood tests will help differentiate which type of thyroid supplementation should be recommended in each individual’s case.

Symptoms of Suboptimal Thyroid
-Weakness
-Fatigue
-Dry, coarse skin
-Feeling cold
-Anxiety and tension
-Depression
-Thinning hair
-Weight Gain
-Poor memory
-Headaches

Thyroid Research
Other articles Thyroid
Focus on the Thyroid for Women over 50
Subclinical Hypothyrodism and Depression