Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
Home
Discussion Groups
General
GeneralCardiologyVisionDentistryPharmacyLaboratoryNutritionAlternative
Diseases and Disorders
AIDSAlzheimer'sArthritisAsthmaCancerBreast CancerDiabetesEpilepsyGlaucomaHepatitisHerpesLupusProstate BPHProstate CancerProstatitisSinusitisTinnitus

Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / January 2004

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Testosterone Supplementation

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
J - 03 Jan 2004 18:13 GMT
http://www.fpnotebook.com/URO85.htm

Disadvantages
HDL declines
Increased risk of Prostate Cancer
Increased Prostate Cancer growth
Polycythemia and cerebral vascular accident risk
Exacerbates Sleep Apnea
Hepatotoxicity (especially oral preparations
J - 03 Jan 2004 19:37 GMT
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031215/tips/6.html
Benito M, et al. Deterioration of trabecular architecture in hypogonadal
men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab April 2003; 88:1497-502.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In recent years, the National Institute on Aging1 has
focused on the potential value of testosterone supplementation in men
with low levels of testosterone. The panel noted that study results have
shown that testosterone replacement in older men has a beneficial effect
on bone mineral density, muscle strength, and lean body mass, with
decreases in body fat and improvements in lipid profiles. Unfortunately,
the results are not consistent among all trials, and testosterone
supplementation is not totally benign. The panel concludes that the
strongest association exists between clinical hypogonadism and
osteoporosis and decreased sexual function. The best way to measure
testosterone levels remains uncertain, as do the appropriate numbers to
use to represent the lower limit of normal.

The potentially serious side effects of testosterone supplementation
include (1) increased risk of prostate cancer, (2) increased risk of
significant benign prostatic hypertrophy, (3) blood hyperviscosity
secondary to erythropoiesis stimulation, (4) increased risk of sleep
apnea, (5) possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and (6)
aggressive behavior or inappropriate sexual behavior. Further studies
are needed to identify the usefulness of testosterone supplementation in
older men with low levels of serum testosterone. Specific clinical
syndromes, including osteoporosis and diminished sexual interest and
activity, are becoming accepted indications for carefully monitored
testosterone supplementation.--R.S.

REFERENCE

Thorner M, et al., for the Advisory Panel on Testosterone Replacement in
Men.
Special report. Report of National Institute on Aging Advisory Panel on
Testosterone Replacement in Men.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab October 2001;86:4611-4.
Dan Christen - 03 Jan 2004 19:51 GMT
I would love to look at any Medline searches that you have completed on
the subject. As I am sure that you are aware, a single article in a
journal is one opinion from one study or review of the data from other
studies.

Dan

> http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031215/tips/6.html
> Benito M, et al. Deterioration of trabecular architecture in hypogonadal
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> Testosterone Replacement in Men.
> J Clin Endocrinol Metab October 2001;86:4611-4.
J - 04 Jan 2004 21:56 GMT
> I would love to look at any Medline searches that you have completed on
> the subject. As I am sure that you are aware, a single article in a
> journal is one opinion from one study or review of the data from other
> studies.
>
> Dan

Dan, I would love to, but I don't know how (to do such searches..and properly
to get the best collection of articles and most recent) and/or the
alt.support.cancer newsgroup takes up most of my time.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/striant_wcp.htm
Geriatric patients and other patients with clinical or demographic
characteristics that are recognized to be associated with an increased risk of
prostate cancer should be evaluated for the presence of prostate cancer prior
to initiation of testosterone replacement therapy. In men receiving
testosterone replacement therapy, surveillance for prostate cancer should be
consistent with current practices for eugonadal men

2. Liver function, prostatic specific antigen, cholesterol, and high-density
lipoprotein should be checked periodically.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility

Animal data: Testosterone has been tested by subcutaneous injection and
implantation in mice and rats. In mice, the implant induced cervical-uterine
tumors, which metastasized in some cases. There is suggestive evidence that
injection of testosterone into some strains of female mice increases their
susceptibility to hepatoma. Testosterone is also known to increase the number
of tumors and decrease the degree of differentiation of chemically induced
carcinomas of the liver in rats.

Human data: There were rare reports of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients
receiving long-term therapy with androgens in high doses. Withdrawal of the
drugs did not lead to regression of the tumors in all cases.

Striant™ has been evaluated in patients for 1 year without reports of cancer
related to the product. However, safety in patients beyond 1 year has not been
established.

Geriatric patients treated with androgens may be at an increased risk for the
development of prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma.

Geriatric patients and other patients with clinical or demographic
characteristics that are recognized to be associated with an increased risk of
prostate cancer should be evaluated for the presence of prostate cancer prior
to initiation of testosterone replacement therapy.

In men receiving testosterone replacement therapy, surveillance for prostate
cancer should be consistent with current practices for eugondal men.

<then we have to get into defining what they mean by geriatric or demographic
characteristics>

It would also be interesting (to me) to have a study of men who usually run
(high)er on testosterone levels and see which, over a longer period, do or
don't develop prostate cancer.  Because perhaps that's a preventative method,
to monitor and balance the hormone/testosterone levels much earlier in life?

This web page is usually a solid source
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2718 and
"Prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow. "  They do research and
there is a UK phone number there.
Do you suppose someone on this newsgroup from UK could call them and ask them
for references/sources of that statement?

Or ditto for this one?http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/QAs/934
Most prostate cancers need the male hormone testosterone on order to grow.
(their typo, not mine)
They have an "order publications" there too.

Here is my concern for butting in.
It's pretty well known, especially as we age, that we have cancer cells
floating around our bodies. If there's a risk of causing the cancer cells to
either start growing faster or spread faster, don't males have the right to
know that information before deciding on whether they want to take extra
testosterone (or not)?

then especially in someone who has already been diagnosed and treated with
PCA, seems dangerous to me, for someone to consider supplementing their
testosterone after treatment?? (I think I saw a poster say that was his
intent)..hence why I started this thread).

So if you can find someone, instead of me, I'd watch for updates with
interest.
J
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.