Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) And Ageing

Understanding The Male Midlife Crisis And Testosterone's Role

To help preserve muscle and prevent muscle loss, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can create a good hormone balance as we age. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) specifically helps by preventing the muscle-wasting effects of cortisol, which works against testosterone. In men, testosterone levels usually start to decline after age 40, leading to andropause. This causes a noticeable loss of muscle mass, feelings of weakness due to muscle shrinkage, and a slower metabolism. As a result, men gain more visceral fat, which increases estrogen levels. Higher estrogen levels then signal the hypothalamus to reduce the production of GnRH and LH, leading to even lower testosterone levels.

What Happens When Testosterone Decreases As Men Age

Less muscle mass leads to increased insulin resistance because muscles are the main regulators of glucose metabolism. Insulin resistance can cause type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Low testosterone levels make it harder to burn visceral fat efficiently. In older men, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) levels increase, causing a drop in free testosterone. Additionally, a decrease in other androgens like DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) can affect mental health. DHT, a metabolite of testosterone, improves self-esteem, cognitive function, and sex drive and makes the scrotum's skin firmer and more elastic by releasing sebum. DHEA, produced by the adrenal glands, supports the immune response and is considered the "mother of all hormones."

How HRT Helps With Ageing

Testosterone helps build muscle by increasing positive nitrogen balance through animal protein. It also triggers the kidneys to release aldosterone, which retains sodium and water, making muscles look fuller and more toned.

Contractile muscle is 70% water; other treatments can help with muscle growth. Nandrolone decanoate, or Deca-Durabolin, is an anabolic steroid used in medicine for over 50 years. It can reverse osteoporosis, speed up bone healing by increasing calcium absorption, and improve stamina and endurance by stimulating erythropoietin from the kidneys.

Nandrolone is great for building tissues and promoting anabolism, which helps in cases like trauma, burns, cachexia, and muscle injury recovery. A diet rich in animal protein also aids tissue healing. As muscles get stronger from resistance training, bones do too. Weight lifting helps postmenopausal women fight osteopenia and avoid fractures.

HRT and nandrolone also help with water retention and lubricate joints, which can relieve arthritis and joint pain. Nandrolone has low liver toxicity and minor effects on lipids, and its low androgenicity means even women can use it in small doses without severe side effects like hair growth and acne.

Growth Hormone And Ageing

Growth Hormone (GH) is considered the foundation of youth and works well with testosterone to fight catabolic diseases. GH promotes muscle building by increasing tissue DNA synthesis through a peptide called insulin-like growth factor, or somatomedin C. GH, also known as somatotropin, decreases with age, measured by serum IGF1 levels. Low IGF1 is linked to higher mortality rates, while high IGF1 can increase cell growth and potentially speed up cancer development.

Optimised IGF1, also known as HGH therapy, has many anti-aging benefits. It helps produce collagen fibres and connective tissue, improves skin quality, and enhances the elasticity of arterial walls, joints, tendons, ligaments, and articular surfaces by activating chondroblasts, which are cells that create connective tissue. GH also boosts the production of B and T cells in the thymus gland and increases Klotho protein, which is linked to longer telomeres and longevity.

Hormone Replacement Therapy And HGH Therapy For Youth

In summary, combining growth hormones with testosterone, DHT, DHEA, and nandrolone can create a powerful treatment against ageing and frailty, reducing the risk of mortality in older people. We can prescribe both HRT and HGH to people with low levels of natural hormones. If you believe you are suffering from a hormone imbalance or need testosterone replacement therapy, we are here to help.