Testosterone
blood serum testosterone levels of a 30 to 40 year old woman range from 15 to 100ng/dl and from 300 to 1200ng/dl for men.
For men and symptoms of male menopause, a frequent problem is that the testosterone level that is good for one man can be different than the necessary level for another man.
If a man knows what his normal testosterone levels were in his 30's, that information can be used in determining the appropriate testosterone treatment for low testosterone. If normal testosterone levels are not known for a man, treating low testosterone symptoms will likely begin at the lower end of the range, and male menopause symptom improvements will be monitored by you and your doctor.
Before beginning testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), it's important to have a complete physical exam, medical history and appropriate blood testing including a PSA test to be sure prostate cancer cells are not present. Testosterone replacement therapy requires that a physician be involved.
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone mostly produced in the adrenal glands. DHEA and its metabolite DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) are precursors (needed for production of) of testosterone and estrogen in the body of both men and women.
DHEA also plays an active role in other critical functions - it is important for the immune system, it has a crucial role in the central nervous system and mood, and it is related to circulatory system health, for example.
After age 30, DHEA production declines about 10% every five years. Clinical studies have found that the lower the DHEA-S levels, the greater the risk for Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Studies have shown that men and women ages 40-70 taking 50mg of DHEA daily reported significant improvements in how they felt physically and emotionally. They also reported their sex lives improved!
Men with erectile dysfunction reported improvement on dosages of 50mg a day. Postmenopausal women reported signifant increases in their thoughts and feelings about their sexuality.
One should NOT take DHEA if hormone cancer is present - breast, ovarian,or prostate cancer. The best time to take DHEA is at bedtime, which will coincide with how the body would be producing this critical hormone.
DHEA supplementation for men suffering from male menopause symptoms will likely result in the male looking, acting, thinking and feeling better. DHEA supplementation does not currently require a doctor's prescription. DHEA should NOT be taken by athletes in their 20's and 30's to enhance athletic performance.
Growth hormone
growth hormone (hGH) production in the body begins declining in the early twenties and declines about 15% a decade after. Declining growth hormone levels are an important part of male menopause and related symptoms.
The fastest and best way to boost growth hormone levels in a male in male menopause is with injections done by a knowledgable physician. If any of these conditions exist - high blood lipids, cancer, diabetes, or abnormal liver function - it's vital to do extensive medical workup before beginning treatment. Side effects can be serious if not done correctly. Growth hormone injections are also expensive.
Progesterone
This iportant hormone in made in a male in the testes and adrenal glands. Progesterone in the body balances the effects of excess estrogen. Too much estrogen can suppress the male's production of testosterone that leads to low testosterone levels in male menopause.
Progesterone and testosterone both help create new bone growth, and the lack of these two hormones leads to osteoporosis. Progesterone supplementation can reduce the size of an enlarged prostate in men with this condition. And improved sexual desire has been reported in men and women with natural progesterone supplementation.
Progesterone supplementation is best accomplished by the use of natural progesterone cream. 10mg a day would be the level that would provide the amount normally made by a healthy male NOT experiencing male menopause. The cream is applied on a daily basis by rubbing it on the skin. Natural progesterone is safe and currently requires no prescription in the U.S.
Pregnenolone
This hormone is a precursor of DHEA production in the body. Many studies have shown its effects on the body and brain. It boosts energy and improves memory, mental performance and mood. Pregnenolone improves ones ability to deal with stress. Pregnenolone helps strengthen the immune system, it improves skin health and quality of sleep.
Dosages beginning at 15mg per day increasing up to 50mg a day are common levels for supplementation. No doctor's prescription is currently required in the U.S. for pregnenolone supplementation.
Androstenedione
This hormone is made in the body in the adrenals, the testes and in women's ovaries. This hormone has been in the news because of its use by younger athletes to enhance athletic performance. Dosages of 300mg and higher were used by the athletes, however, that level is much higher than appropriate for male menopause supplementation.
Much lower levels would be sufficient for boosting testosterone levels as part of dealing with male menopause symptoms and low testosterone. A supplementation of 25-50mg just before bedtime and upon awakening would provide a similar timing and level of this hormone that is needed for the body's production of testosterone. Stay on the low side of dosage and observe your male menopause symptoms and improvements.
This dosage level is so low that normal blood tests may not provide significant number changes to be of value. Dr. Micheal Lam recommends that you test your testosterone, free testosterone, estrone and estradiol (two of the body's estrogens) levels before supplementing with androstenedione (a link to Dr. Lam's andropause recommendations is at the bottom of this page). Editors note - effective February 2005, a physician's prescription is required to obtain androstenedione in the USA.
Melatonin
The pineal gland is where melatonin is made in the body. Its production declines significantly with age. Melatonin has a crucial role in sleep quality and sleep patterns, and as you may know, good sleep is vital for good health in everyone.
Melatonin supplementation in the range of 1-5mg taken before bedtime is the same timing as the body would produce. Start with the lower level and observe how you fall to sleep and your sleep quality improvements.
The general rule for beginning hormone supplementation is - begin with low dosages and observe how you feel and your symptoms. If you need to increase the dosage, do so slowly.
Source David Buster
Healthy Diet