By Jeffrey S. Dunham, M.D.
As men age, levels of important hormones like testosterone, thyroid and growth hormone decrease. When this happens, they may experience:
- Decreased energy
- Depression
- Increased belly fat
- Loss of libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
- Decreased muscle mass and bone density
- Anemia
- Increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure
- Dementia
Testosterone levels in men begin to decline significantly after age 40. A typical male with low testosterone will be pale, flabby, depressed and tired. He will have low sex drive, poor sexual functioning, decreased motivation, and trouble focusing. He often will complain that no matter how hard he exercises he can’t seem to make any gains. When he relates these complaints to his physician he may be told that he needs to eat better and exercise more. He will often be told that he’s just getting old and offered a prescription for Viagra or an anti-depressant. The cause of all of his problems could be effectively treated with a simple testosterone supplement, but this is usually overlooked.
Low thyroid is probably one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in men. Men with a low-functioning thyroid wake up tired, feel tired all day and go to bed tired. They generally need a lot of coffee to get going in the morning, have trouble losing fat, have dry skin and hair, and have high cholesterol. Thyroid hormone replacement increases energy, makes it easier to lose fat, improves skin and hair texture, and lowers cholesterol levels naturally without drugs. Some prominent endocrinologists believe that if you need more than 2 cups of coffee to get going in the morning, you’re probably low thyroid.
Human growth hormone (hgh) is secreted during sleep and functions to stimulate cell division and repair. As men age and growth hormone levels decline, the repair processes do not keep up with the damage, resulting in many of the clinical manifestations of aging. Growth hormone is also extremely effective in removing abdominal fat, and men with growth hormone deficiency have increased belly fat in addition to accelerated aging. This can occur despite exercise and a good diet. Increased belly fat is a serious medical condition and will dramatically increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, five types of cancer, and dementia. A recent study by physicians at Kaiser Hospital showed that men who have increased abdominal fat in their forties also have a three times higher risk of developing dementia in their seventies. Replacing growth hormone to more youthful levels will decrease abdominal fat, increase energy, stimulate cell repair, and decrease the risk for these diseases of aging.
Bio-identical hormone replacement at physiological doses is safe and effective. The patients get back exactly the same hormones they already have circulating in their body, but are no longer producing at optimal levels. Unlike drugs, which are foreign to the body and can have serious side effects, bio-identical hormones are completely natural compounds and the side effects are minimal and dose related.
Insulin levels are also extremely important as men age. High insulin levels favor storing fat and can lead to adult onset diabetes and increased risk for heart disease, kidney failure and dementia. Testosterone, thyroid, and growth hormone can easily be optimized by hormone replacement, but maintaining low insulin levels depends upon diet. Unfortunately, most patients are totally confused when it comes to proper diet, and most of what they think they know (like eating fat makes you fat) is wrong. Dr. Dunham initially spends up to two hours with each new BioFit patient in order to design a customized program of hormone replacement, dietary guidance, and exercise to meet their goals.
At 53, Dr. Dunham practices what he preaches. He has been on the BioFit Program for the last 10 years.
