Introduction

This section outlines the essential biological functions and therapeutic effects of Testosterone.

Health Benefits and Biological Functions of Testosterone

Aging Process

Testosterone replacement therapy counteracts many of the negative effects of the Aging Process. research

Cardiovascular System

Testosterone replacement therapy improves Blood Circulation in Atherosclerosis patients. research
Testosterone helps to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting (men with low endogenous Testosterone levels have an increased risk of abnormal Blood Clotting and have higher Fibrinogen levels). research
Low endogenous levels of Testosterone increases the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease in men (and Testosterone replacement therapy may therefore help to prevent Ischemic Heart Disease): research

- Testosterone alleviates Angina (in men). research
- Insufficient production of endogenous Testosterone increases the risk of Heart Attack in men. research

Insufficient production of endogenous Testosterone can cause Hypertension (especially in men) - during Testosterone deficiency, Arteries become more fibrous and stiff; and less elastic. research
Exogenous Testosterone alleviates Intermittent Claudication (in men). research
Testosterone facilitates the production of Red Blood Cells. research

Insufficient production of endogenous Testosterone increases the risk of Stroke (especially in men). research

Hair

Testosterone (applied topically to the Scalp) inhibits the further progression of Male Pattern Baldness by blocking the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone: research

- Caution: this treatment can lead to Acne of the Scalp. Excessive endogenous production of Testosterone is also speculated to be a CAUSE of Male Pattern Baldness.

Immune System

Most Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients are found to be have sub
-optimal Testosterone levels and Testosterone replacement therapy helps to reverse the Cachexia (weight loss) that occurs during the progression of AIDS. research
Testosterone stimulates some aspects of the Immune System.
Testosterone inhibits the progression of Lupus Erythematosus. research

Recent research indicates that Testosterone (especially in combination with Progesterone to inhibit the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)) inhibits the proliferation of Prostate Cancer cells - Testosterone opposes the activity of Estrogens (which are known to stimulate Prostate Cancer cell proliferation) and stimulates cells to use normal oxidative respiration instead of anaerobic Energy mechanisms normally used by Cancer cells. research

Metabolism

Testosterone increases the body's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). research
Optimal Testosterone levels help to lower elevated Blood Sugar (Glucose) levels. research
Low endogenous Testosterone levels can cause Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (in men) and Testosterone replacement therapy may therefore help to prevent Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (in men). research

Low Energy levels can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone and Testosterone replacement therapy improves Energy production in men with sub-optimal Testosterone production. research
Fatigue can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone and Testosterone replacement therapy significantly reduces Fatigue. research

Testosterone may prevent/treat Insulin Resistance in men. research
Optimal levels of Testosterone are required in order to preserve Nitrogen Balance and above-normal levels of Testosterone favor Nitrogen Retention.
Testosterone facilitates weight loss in persons afflicted with Obesity (primarily by stimulating lipolysis and by inhibiting the activity of Lipoprotein Lipase in Adipocytes): research

- Obesity (of the Stomach and Hips in women and of the Stomach in men) can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone.

Testosterone replacement therapy improves Stamina (loss of Stamina can occur as a result of declining endogenous Testosterone levels). research

Musculoskeletal System

Testosterone replacement therapy helps to reverse the Cachexia (weight loss) that occurs during the progression of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). research
Testosterone (especially in the presence of weight-bearing Exercise) stimulates Muscle Growth research and increases Muscle mass and Muscle Strength research (it induces anabolism, specifically it initiates Protein Synthesis - Actin and Myosin - within the Myofilaments of the Muscles):

- One single dose of Testosterone has been found to produce greater Muscle Growth than small, divided dosages of the same amount of Testosterone (indicating that Testosterone patches are less effective in inducing Muscle Growth than one single equivalent dose). research

Insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone can cause Muscle Weakness (Testosterone facilitates Glycogen metabolism within Muscle Cells). research
Muscular Atrophy can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone - exogenous Testosterone alleviates Muscular Atrophy where the underlying cause of Muscular Atrophy is insufficient endogenous Testosterone production. research

Muscular Dystrophy can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone and Testosterone replacement therapy alleviates Muscular Dystrophy. research
Insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone in men can cause Osteoporosis. research
Optimal Testosterone levels may protect against the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis in men- this theory is based on the finding that male Rheumatoid Arthritis patients generally exhibit low endogenous Testosterone levels. research

Nervous System

Testosterone (replacement therapy) increases Alertness. research
Optimal Testosterone levels help to prevent Alzheimer's Disease (by inhibiting the production of Amyloid-Beta Protein, an endogenous Protein involved in the development of Alzheimer's Disease): research

- Another means by which Testosterone helps to prevent Alzheimer's Disease is via its conversion by Aromatase enzymes to Estradiol. Testosterone provides the "raw material" for male Estradiol production. Men have far greater numbers of Estradiol Receptors in their Brains than Testosterone Receptors and men with Alzheimer's Disease have been found to have significantly lower levels of Estradiol compared to healthy men of the same age.

Apathy can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone. research
Gradual lack or loss of Assertiveness (increased timidity) can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone (in men and women). research
Poor Concentration ability can occur as a result of low endogenous Testosterone levels. research

Depression can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous Testosterone levels (especially in men): research

- Testosterone replacement therapy alleviates Major Depression (especially in men who have insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone). research
- Minor Depression can occur as a result of low Testosterone levels (especially in elderly men). peer-reviewed research

Irritability can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone. research
Optimal Testosterone levels improve Learning ability. research
Optimal Testosterone levels improve Memory and Memory impairment can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone: research

- Testosterone improves Spatial Memory. research

Testosterone (replacement therapy) improves Mood (in men with low endogenous Testosterone levels) and poor Mood can occur as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone. research

Sexual System

Abnormally large Breasts can occur in women as a result of insufficient endogenous production of Testosterone.
Testosterone alleviates Male Impotence. research
Supplemental, exogenous, natural Testosterone often alleviates Male Menopause (by counteracting the decreased free serum Testosterone associated with increased levels of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). research

Testosterone is responsible for (and increases) Sexual Desire (libido) in both males and females: research

- Lack of Sexual Desire (libido) in post-menopausal females is often caused by insufficient Testosterone production - supplemental Testosterone (administered by a qualified practitioner implanting a Testosterone "pellet" under the skin every six months) often restores the libido of such females.
- Testosterone exerts its effects on Sexual Desire by influencing (presently unidentified) Receptors in the Brain.
- Even small surges in Blood "free" Testosterone levels can increase Sexual Desire.

Testosterone is responsible for stimulating the development of Male Sexual Organs and male secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. beard growth, deepening of the voice) during puberty.
Testosterone improves (male) Sexual Performance (men with low serum Testosterone levels (i.e. below 1.4 ng/ml) exhibit impairment in Sexual Performance (as measured by night erections)). research

Testosterone (cream applied topically to the Clitoris) improves (female) Sexual Performance (by increasing the sensitivity of the Clitoris).
Testosterone regulates the production of Sperm in males.
Testosterone is responsible for stimulating the development of female secondary sexual Hair.