Previous studies of testosterone-replacement therapy have shown changes in body composition, usually in the form of increased lean mass and decreased fat mass. Farid Saad, of Bayer Pharma in Germany, and colleagues reviewed data in a prospective registry of middle-age and older men, mean age 60.6 years, who received testosterone-replacement therapy for two to five years. More than half of the patients had four years of follow-up.
The objective was to determine the long-term effects of normalization of the men’s testosterone. Standard treatment was 1,000-milligram initial dose, followed six weeks later by 1,000 milligrams and then 1,000 milligrams every 12 weeks after that. The baseline testosterone averaged 287 nanograms per deciliter. Baseline weight averaged 236 pounds, and 95 percent of the men had a baseline body mass index of greater than 25, including 71 percent of men who were obese (BMI 30 to 40) or morbidly obese (greater than or equal to 40). The men had a median waist circumference of 42.2 inches.
Similar to the weight distribution, 4 percent of the men had waist circumferences that were less than 37 inches, and 68 percent had waists greater than or equal to 40 inches. Testosterone levels normalized (greater than or equal to 350 nanograms per deciliter) within six to nine months and remained stable throughout follow-up. Annual measurements showed that testosterone levels significantly exceeded baseline values beginning at 12 months and continuing to the end of follow-up. Similarly, bodyweight declined significantly within 12 months and continued to decline for as long as five years.
As well, weight declined significantly between annual measurements, beginning at year two. More than half of the men lost at least 33 pounds, and almost a third lost 44 pounds or more. Similarly, 86 percent had a least a two-inch reduction in waist circumference, and 46 percent dropped six inches or more.
“I don’t know many treatments where more than 90 percent of patients respond in a positive way to the treatment,” the lead study author commented. His bottom line: “There is no evidence of an increased risk of prostate cancer in testosterone-treated men.”
Saad, F., et al. (2012). Restoring testosterone to normal levels in elderly men is efficacious in weight reduction. A follow-up study over 5 years. [Abstract SAT-118]. Presented at ENDO 2012, June 23.
—Dr. Bob Goldman
www.WorldHealth.net
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Dr. Robert M. Goldman MD, PhD, DO, FAASP has spearheaded the development of numerous international medical organizations and corporations. Dr. Goldman has served as a Senior Fellow at the Lincoln Filene Center, Tufts University; as an Affiliate at the Philosophy of Education Research Center, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, He is Clinical Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea Medical University; and Professor, Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Central America Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Goldman holds the positions of Visiting Professor, Udayana University School of Medicine, Indonesia; Visiting Professor, Huazhong University of Science & Technology Tong Ji Medical School, China; Visiting Professor, The Wuhan Institute of Science & Technology, China; Visiting Professor at Hainan Medical College, China; and Visiting Professor, School of Anti-Aging, Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine, UCSI University, Malaysia. Dr. Goldman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Sports Physicians and a Board Diplomat in Sports Medicine and Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Goldman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Sports Physicians and a Board Diplomat in Sports Medicine and Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine. He has overseen cooperative research agreement development programs in conjunction with such prominent institutions as the American National Red Cross, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense, and the FDA’s Center for Devices & Radiological Health.
Dr Goldman was awarded the 2012 LifeTime Achievement Award in Medicine &Science. Dr. Goldman is the recipient of the ‘Gold Medal for Science, the Grand Prize for Medicine, the Humanitarian Award, and the Business Development Award. He received honors from Minister of Sports and government Health officials of numerous nations. In 2001, Excellency Juan Antonio Samaranch awarded Dr. Goldman the International Olympic Committee Tribute Diploma for contributions to the development of sport & Olympism.
In addition, Dr. Goldman is a black belt in karate, Chinese weapons expert, and world champion athlete with over 20 world strength records, he has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Some of his past performance records include 13,500 consecutive situps and 321 consecutive handstand pushups. Dr. Goldman was an All-College athlete in four sports, a three time winner of the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Physical Fitness Award, was voted Athlete of the Year, was the recipient of the Champions Award, and was inducted into the World Hall of Fame of Physical Fitness. Dr. Goldman was awarded the Healthy American Fitness Leader Award from the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Goldman is Chairman of the International Medical Commission overseeing sports medicine committees in over 184 nations. He has served as a Special Advisor to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. He is founder and international President Emeritis of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the cofounder and Chairman of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Dr. Goldman visits an average of 20 countries annually to promote brain research and sports medicine programs.
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