Jay Campbell is an international bestselling author, founder of the TOT (Testosterone Optimization Therapy) Revolution, and a global evangelist, teaching men, women, and their doctors how to optimize their hormones, their lives, and their happiness.
This article is derived from the Energy Blueprint Podcast episode with Jay on The Most Common Causes Of Low Testosterone (And How To Use Testosterone Replacement Therapy).
Myths and Facts about Therapeutic Testosterone
There are a lot of rumors about therapeutic testosterone being terrible for your health. But what does the science actually say?
Cardiovascular Health: There is an overwhelming amount of research indicating that cardiovascular issues are linked with a decline in testosterone levels as men age. All of the studies that have otherwise linked testosterone therapy with heart disease were done using compromised patient population groups who were prone to having adverse reactions to the therapeutic testosterone. Utilizing therapeutic testosterone is actually cardioprotective.
Prostate Health: A recent study showed the benefits of using therapeutic testosterone in men with stage I cancer. The old belief that testosterone therapy causes prostate cancer is very likely incorrect. Numerous studies link testosterone deficiency with benign prostate hypertrophy and early-stage prostate cancer.
There are very few side effects of using therapeutic testosterone correctly. You should only use therapeutic testosterone under the care and guidance of a physician who has experience managing both male and female endocrine systems.
Is Testosterone Optimization for Everyone?
While testosterone is an essential hormone for your health, it is not a panacea. You should only use testosterone as an adjunct to an already healthy lifestyle.
However, being healthy and fit is not a guarantee that you will avoid decreased testosterone levels. Some factors that we have no direct control over have a great impact on our hormone levels, especially the horrific environmental toxicity that we are all exposed to every day.
“I personally believe [that] unless you have supremely elite genetics, you’re a type-A anal retentive person who watches every single step, dots every ‘i’, crosses every ‘t’, you are likely going to have to be looking at some form of clinical intervention of therapeutic testosterone at some point in your life.” – Jay Campbell
The first step to take is to look for ways to optimize your lifestyle habits in order to eliminate the most common causes of low testosterone before you start any therapy.
The Myths Surrounding Aromatase Inhibitors (the Inhibition of Estrogen)
The belief that a man needs to suppress estrogen to increase testosterone levels has existed in bodybuilding cultures for years. However, this notion appears to be false.
Men who undergo therapeutic testosterone therapy should never try to suppress estrogen metabolism with medication. The suppression of estrogen may cause a lot of adverse effects, such as brain issues, bone mineral density issues, and an increase in visceral fat.
Key Point: You do not want to block the benefits of metabolizing estrogen by using aromatase inhibitors as they may cause harmful side effects.
Summary
There are several myths surrounding therapeutic testosterone which have mostly proven to be false. Many of these myths are based on faulty research which was later disproven. There is now science emerging which indicates that conditions like cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer are connected with low testosterone levels and not therapeutic testosterone as previously thought.
While we all need testosterone to function optimally, therapeutic testosterone is not a panacea. Unless you already lead a healthy lifestyle, testosterone will probably not make a big difference in your overall health, focus, and energy levels.
Estrogen is also essential for your hormonal balance and should not be suppressed. If you suppress estrogen, you may experience brain issues, loss of bone mineral density, and a reduced ability to lose visceral fat.
Click here to listen to the full podcast The Most Common Causes Of Low Testosterone (And How To Use Testosterone Replacement Therapy).
