Testosterone Weekly

Testosterone replacement lowers cardiovascular risk.

A couple of years ago, there was a highly publicized and highly disputed report that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increased cardiovascular risk (heart attack, stroke). In my opinion, this report has been thoroughly discredited. Since that report, numerous studies have come out showing that TRT actually reduces cardiovascular risk. 

I have previously posted some of studies. Somehow these reports don't make it to the mass media (the discredited report was reported in news outlets nationwide).

Here is yet another study showing a reduced risk. In this study, researchers "looked for men 40 to 65 years of age treated for low levels of testosterone. Patients were excluded if they had a history of heart disease, thromboembolism, prostate cancer, or obstructive sleep apnea." The exclusion of sleep apnea is big because one of the few side effects of TRT is worsening of sleep apnea which is associated with significant cardiovascular risk. 

Bottom lines: 

• If you have sleep apnea, you probably shouldn't take TRT until the apnea is controlled.
• If you have concerns about cardiovascular risks of TRT, you should probably be looking elsewhere for other causes of increased risk (blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity).