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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Hormone Replacement In A Male?

Recent blood test reveal a low testosterone level. I am 87 years old and in relative good health. After two weeks of abstinence of alcohol (two glasses of wine each day) the blood work will be repeated. My Dr. said we would then discuss possible hormone replacement. What are the pros & cons?
Mon, 28 May 2018
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Endocrinologist 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

As men advance in age, their levels of testosterone naturally start to decrease.

Testosterone, the male hormone, plays a vital role in many body functions, and low testosterone levels can leave men tired, uninterested in sex, infertile and with thinning bones.
-About the pros and cons of testosterone replacement therapy, I can say that testosterone improves bone density, anemia, but may pose cardiac risk and also increase the risk for prostate cancer.

The possible cardiovascular health outcomes of testosterone replacement therapy can be acute myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, as well as sudden cardiac death.

You need to know is that testosterone therapy isn't a substitute for taking care of overall health.

While testosterone may play a role in their overall health, it needs to be viewed in context with other factors like poor diet and no exercise or alcohol abuse (like in your case).

I suggest to consult physically a local endocrinologist and to discuss with him the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy in your case.

Final decisions about testosterone treatment for you will depend on the question "if you have more benefits or if you have more risks from this therapy".

Hope this information is helpful. If you have other health queries, feel free and ask. Take care.
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Endocrinologist Dr. Elona's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

The physiologic level of testosterone tend to be lower progressively with age. The testosterone replacement therapy can be beneficial to ease some of the symptoms of low testosterone like low sex drive, anemia and bone loss. At the other side this therapy can produce serious riscs. The most important riscs are acute cardiac events like miocardial infarction,stroke,angina or increase the risc for prostatic cancer or breast cancer in males. I suggest to discuss with your treating doctor if you have more benefits or more riscs from testosterone replacement therapy and this will help you to take a decision.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Hormone Replacement In A Male?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. As men advance in age, their levels of testosterone naturally start to decrease. Testosterone, the male hormone, plays a vital role in many body functions, and low testosterone levels can leave men tired, uninterested in sex, infertile and with thinning bones. -About the pros and cons of testosterone replacement therapy, I can say that testosterone improves bone density, anemia, but may pose cardiac risk and also increase the risk for prostate cancer. The possible cardiovascular health outcomes of testosterone replacement therapy can be acute myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, as well as sudden cardiac death. You need to know is that testosterone therapy isn t a substitute for taking care of overall health. While testosterone may play a role in their overall health, it needs to be viewed in context with other factors like poor diet and no exercise or alcohol abuse (like in your case). I suggest to consult physically a local endocrinologist and to discuss with him the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy in your case. Final decisions about testosterone treatment for you will depend on the question if you have more benefits or if you have more risks from this therapy . Hope this information is helpful. If you have other health queries, feel free and ask. Take care.