Rivera mentions Nate Chandler

[Darknight]

He misses a fourth of the season, by then we pretty much already know how the season is going to turn out.

Pretty much so.

[Chaos]

Grow up? It's not A miracle drug that turns you into the hulk. It's main benefit is faster recovery from brutal workouts and 80% are doping in some form. Don't be ignorant and Live in your lil perfect world where all athletes are natural and your vote matters and the govt cares about you etc.....

True, that would be excessive gamma radiation.

[Rubi]

Moderate testosterone use= healthier than you. Educate yourself moron.

There's nothing healthy or natural about putting excess testosterone in your body. Main benefit is for recovery?? That goes along with muscle building which is what I think you meant. Basically taking a test supplement isn't natural. That's why it's against drug policy. Natural would be eating 2 chickens a day and sweet potatos for building muscle....not taking a synthetic hormone

[bababoey]

There's nothing healthy or natural about putting excess testosterone in your body. Main benefit is for recovery?? That goes along with muscle building which is what I think you meant. Basically taking a test supplement isn't natural. That's why it's against drug policy. Natural would be eating 2 chickens a day and sweet potatos for building muscle....not taking a synthetic hormone

Hate to tell you but my dad is almost 70 and he takes testosterone prescribed by a doctor. Its not aginst the law. Its not steroids.

[csx]

Hate to tell you but my dad is almost 70 and he takes testosterone prescribed by a doctor. Its not aginst the law. Its not steroids.

It's against the NFL rules regardless of what your father is legally prescribed.

[Guest Bwood]

I have a medical marijuana card but that doesn't mean if I played football I could still smoke.

[Rubi]

Hate to tell you but my dad is almost 70 and he takes testosterone prescribed by a doctor. Its not aginst the law. Its not steroids.

Dude... He's 70. He's probably producing a small percentage of what I produce cause he's old and because Im in my prime. It decreases with age. Athletes who use test. boosters are using it to build muscle and get stronger.

[Dilated_chakra]

There's nothing healthy or natural about putting excess testosterone in your body. Main benefit is for recovery?? That goes along with muscle building which is what I think you meant. Basically taking a test supplement isn't natural. That's why it's against drug policy. Natural would be eating 2 chickens a day and sweet potatos for building muscle....not taking a synthetic hormone

this is not even up for debate in my mind.....or this study of 11,000 men

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/569406

I had to lie to my doctor as to why my cholesterol dramatically improved. It does however lower your good cholesterol but fish oils and omega 3's takes care of that with ease.

I am not talking about ridiculous hulked out testosterone. I am talking about 1200-1500 ng/d when the average natural range is 300-900

as with anything do your own research but if you set out to find a particular answer as opposed to being open then you will find what you set out to find. You be objective

[Dilated_chakra]

Testosterone and Mortality: An Expert Interview With Dr. Adrian S. Dobs

Faculty and Disclosures

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CME Information

Editor's Note:

A number of recent studies have established an association between low testosterone levels and mortality, in particular cardiovascular-related mortality. Several mechanisms may explain this association, although the precise nature of the link remains unclear. In this article, Medscape contributor Emma Hitt, PhD, interviews Adrian S. Dobs, MD, MHS, Professor of Medicine and Oncology and Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Dobs describes some of the recent data on this issue, outlines the potential mechanisms that may underlie this association, and discusses ways in which clinicians might keep this issue in mind when treating their patients.

Medscape: What current evidence supports the link between endogenous testosterone levels and cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality?

Dr. Dobs: Several studies have evaluated the link between testosterone levels in men and the development of cardiovascular disease.^[1-3] A recently reported study,^[1] for example, prospectively studied 794 men aged 50-91 years, in the Rancho Bernardo area of California. The study evaluated the relationship between testosterone and all-cause mortality over approximately 20 years.^[1] They found that men with testosterone levels < 241 ng/dL, ie, in the lowest quartile, were 40% more likely to die than those with higher levels of testosterone. These findings held true regardless of age, lipid levels, and other variables. Furthermore, low testosterone levels were associated with death from cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio

---

, 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.85) and respiratory disease (HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.25-4.20), but were not significantly associated with cancer-related deaths (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.89-2.00).

Another study, conducted in Seattle by Shores and colleagues,^[2] evaluated whether low testosterone levels were associated with an increased risk for mortality in male veterans. This retrospective study included men older than 40 years without a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Men classified as having a low testosterone level -- approximately 20% of the overall study population -- had an increased mortality (HR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.34-2.63; P < .001) after adjustment for clinical covariables, compared with those with equivocal or normal levels.

A third study, called the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) Study, respectively examined the relationship between testosterone levels and mortality due to all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.^[3] The study included over 11,000 patients aged 40-79 years followed over time. Testosterone levels at baseline were inversely and significantly associated with mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes. In addition, after adjustment for variables, an increase of 6 nmol/L serum testosterone was associated with a 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71-0.92; P < .01) decrease in the odds ratio for mortality.

These studies, all of which included long-term follow-up, produced somewhat similar findings and indicate that low testosterone may increase the risk for mortality from cardiovascular disease. In addition, these findings indicate that low testosterone may be a risk factor for the eventual development of cardiovascular disease, although further findings are warranted to prove cause and effect.

Medscape: How controversial or accepted is this link between low testosterone and cardiovascular mortality?

Dr. Dobs: This is a very controversial issue. Because men die earlier from heart disease than women do, it is intuitive to think that lower testosterone levels would actually be beneficial for cardiovascular protection. However, we are now seeing that the opposite is true: that low testosterone is actually a risk factor for heart disease, which is important from a population-based, public health standpoint. There may be some ideal testosterone level, and that men whose levels are too low may experience obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other health problems, which make them susceptible to heart disease. Men with higher testosterone levels have more muscle mass and may be at lower risk for cardiovascular disease.

Medscape: What mechanisms might underlie the association between low testosterone levels and cardiovascular-related mortality?

Dr. Dobs: Several mechanisms may explain the association. One is that the effect of testosterone may be mediated through body composition; men who have low testosterone are more likely to have visceral obesity which in turn is associated with an increased risk for heart disease. This connection might be mediated through fat cells, which are actually endocrine-like organs in nature and may secrete hormones that increase the risk for heart disease; or testosterone may have a direct effect on the blood cells. The precise mechanisms underlying the association between testosterone and cardiovascular disease are not yet clear, but there are several postulated mechanisms. I expect that visceral obesity plays an important role.

Medscape: Is there convincing evidence to link low testosterone levels to specific cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia?

Dr. Dobs: Testosterone plays an important role in glucose metabolism, and low testosterone is considered an early marker for disturbances in glucose metabolism and the development of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. In addition, large epidemiologic studies have shown a strong association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and low testosterone levels. For example, data published in 2007 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III indicated that, after adjustment for variables, men in the lowest tertile of free testosterone level were 4 times more likely to have diabetes compared with men in the highest tertile.^[4]

Also, it has been long known that visceral fat is more metabolically active and synthesizes more fatty acids, triglycerides, and adipokines than nonvisceral fat; these factors may be a mediator for the development of heart disease. Other mechanisms may exist as well. Testosterone may have a direct vasodilatory effect on endothelium, such that low testosterone results in arterial vasoconstriction, or testosterone could influence the synthesis of inflammatory factors.

Medscape: What is the current thinking on the link between testosterone and risk for prostate cancer?

Dr. Dobs: In my opinion, the association between testosterone and prostate cancer has been overstated. Many of the ideas about the link between testosterone and prostate cancer are based on older observations. These studies suggest that testosterone can cause prostate cancer to grow; and lowering the testosterone level in men is associated with regression of prostate cancer. As we know, one of the important treatments for prostate cancer is surgical or medical castration. So we have become accustomed to thinking that testosterone is somehow associated with risk for prostate cancer, whereas many large studies suggest that testosterone does not cause prostate cancer.^[5,6] It may not even influence the growth of prostate cancer. There have been placebo-controlled clinical studies in which testosterone was given to men without prostate cancer, and these men did not develop prostate cancer in numbers greater than expected in nontreated patients.^[7] In fact, the more aggressive and advanced prostate cancers appear to be associated with lower testosterone levels.^[8] So there is really no clear evidence of a connection between testosterone and the development of prostate cancer. It will be important to prove this definitively with large-scale clinical trials, but the data so far seem to indicate that testosterone is not linked to the onset of prostate cancer. However, if a patient is started on testosterone, the conservative and responsible thing to do is to monitor him closely with a serum PSA and a digital rectal exam to make sure he does not develop prostate cancer while on testosterone.

Medscape: Is there a role for testosterone replacement therapy in reducing cardiovascular disease?

Dr. Dobs: This has not yet been proven in clinical studies. The current thinking is that there may be an association between heart disease and lower testosterone levels but there has been no study in which testosterone replacement has been found to reduce heart disease. Such a study needs to be done, and it will likely need to be long-term to show a reduction in heart disease. Currently the clinical indication for testosterone replacement therapy is for men who have low testosterone. It should not be used in a man who has normal testosterone levels -- only in a man with documented low levels.

Medscape: What should practicing clinicians keep in mind about this topic?

Dr. Dobs: We need to identify men who should undergo screening for testosterone deficiency. These include men with symptoms such as decreased sexual function and depression. Other patient groups that should raise suspicion of low testosterone include those patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic illnesses such as HIV. These patients are especially at risk of developing testosterone deficiency. In summary, it is important for clinicians to maintain awareness about the possibility of low testosterone levels. Testosterone levels need to be measured with a blood test to make a diagnosis.

Medscape: What unanswered questions remain about this topic?

Dr. Dobs: It will be very important to establish any mechanisms underlying the association between low testosterone and cardiovascular disease mortality. The precise mechanisms remain unclear. It will also be important to define "low testosterone." Some of the data indicate that < 300 ng/dL should be the cutoff, whereas other data indicate that < 250 ng/dL is more appropriate. We have to define better the appropriate testosterone levels for initiating treatment. We also need to determine whether treating a man with low testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy does in fact influence cardiovascular disease risk and mortality.

[Dilated_chakra]

Dude... He's 70. He's probably producing a small percentage of what I produce cause he's old and because Im in my prime. It decreases with age. Athletes who use test. boosters are using it to build muscle and get stronger.

is that you in your profile pic?

[Rubi]

is that you in your profile pic?

Yes. That's me smoking a cigar....really?

Anyone who is a professional athlete who gets caught taking test. (Ryan Braun) they are using it to enhance their performance. You're missing the point.

[Dilated_chakra]

Yes. That's me smoking a cigar....really?

Anyone who is a professional athlete who gets caught taking test. (Ryan Braun) they are using it to enhance their performance. You're missing the point.

Haha cigar packed with hardy goodness and vitamins j/k I agree of course it helps performance. I am a 37 year old boxer who started running sprints. I have a bad knee and haven't ran at all since basketball in high school or pick up games in college. We started sprinting to train for a fight and my 40 time went from 5.25 to 4.80 in 6 weeks. Didn't help punching power much but red blood cell count is crazy and to be honest the biggest advantage is mental aggressiveness and confidence. I used to counterpunch way to much. Now I pour it on if I get clipped with a good shot. The mental side of test helps the baseball p,ayers hit all those home runs it ain't that they are hitting it further that matters. Yard is yard. It creates self belief and it is the future of sports progression. The downfall is young kids like 16-25 year olds don't need it they have enough natural. If you are 16 and juice you will fuse your growth plates

[Dilated_chakra]

Seriously objectively research the health benefits. They need to let everyone do it or find a way to test everyone full proof. Everyone is juicing and getting away with it. Not fair to those who don't. Ie punters except Todd saurbrun of course lol

[Dilated_chakra]

Should be legal or catch all of them