In the following video, Nelson Vergel, the founder of ExcelMale.com and DiscountedLabs.com, discusses two significant studies examining the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the cardiovascular system: the Traverse study and the older Tom trial. Vergel, an author and advocate for safe TRT, raises some concerns based on these studies.
The Tom Trial
Conducted from 2008 to 2010 and involved 209 men who were very old (around 74 years), with low testosterone and limited mobility.
The trial aimed to see if TRT would improve strength and mobility, but it was halted because of elevated cardiovascular events in the testosterone arm compared to placebo.
These “events” included a wide range of cardiovascular issues, from edema to arrhythmias.
The Traverse Study
Recently published in 2023, this study involved men between the ages of 45 and 80 with low testosterone and existing cardiovascular conditions.
The study concluded that TRT was as safe as a placebo when it comes to major adverse cardiovascular events.
However, it did signal some concerns, particularly related to non-fatal arrhythmias, which were significantly more common in the TRT group.
Unanswered Questions
Vergel highlights that most studies use AndroGel (a form of topical testosterone) but seldom study injections, which are popular and potentially more impactful on the hematocrit level, a factor possibly linked to cardiovascular events. He also calls for more specific monitoring of older men with hypertension or arrhythmias who are on TRT, suggesting that this group might be at higher risk.
In summary, both studies show that TRT does not seem to increase the risk of major cardiovascular events, but they raise enough flags around other cardiovascular factors to suggest that more research is needed, particularly for specific subgroups of men.
Highlights
-Testosterone use in older men and its link to heart palpitations and AFIB.
– Research findings suggesting a potential association between testosterone therapy and heart rhythm disturbances.
– Discussion about the need for cautious testosterone administration in older male patients.
– Insights into the mechanisms through which testosterone might impact heart health.
– Examination of existing studies to assess the credibility of the testosterone-heart health connection.
– Importance of monitoring heart health during testosterone treatment for older men.
Remaining Questions About Testosterone and Cardiovascular Events
Would testosterone injections have a more significant negative effect on hypertension and arrythmias in older men than testosterone gels/creams?
What is the role of increased hematocrit in fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events?
Should older men with hypertension or AFIB given testosterone be monitored more closely?
Is the observed increased incidence of non-fatal cardiovascular events in the two T-gel studies (TOM & TRAVERSE) caused by stimulatory, neurological, or increased blood viscosity effects of TRT?
