Posted on 01/28/2022 11:26:24 AM PST by Red Badger
A large study involving almost 160,000 people has suggested that low testosterone in older men has a link to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The researchers did not find a causal link, so the nature of this relationship is not known, but the paper is one of the sturdiest pieces of evidence that has highlighted this connection yet.
The research was recently published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Scientists led by the University of Western Australia in Perth sifted through data from the UK Biobank, an open-access biomedical database containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million people in the UK. From this repository of data, they looked at 159,411 men aged between 50 and 73, up to 826 of whom had developed dementia, including 288 with Alzheimer’s disease.
After adjusting for other variables, they found that the older men with lower testosterone were significantly more likely to have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Testosterone is the male sex hormone associated with sex drive, muscles, aggression, and sperm production. Women also produce testosterone, but at significantly lower levels than men.
The question remains, is this link with dementia just a coincidence, does testosterone protect against dementia, or is another factor at play? The researchers aren’t sure, but this isn't the first time a link has been found. A strong number of studies have highlighted this relationship in recent years. It’s also noteworthy that the majority of people living with Alzheimer’s are women, further hinting that testosterone may have some kind of a protective effect.
On the other hand, some researchers have previously said the findings from these studies have proved inconsistent and there’s not enough data to draw study conclusions just yet. An investigation in 2017 looked to see whether testosterone treatment improved the memory and cognitive functions of older men with low testosterone, but they concluded it had little to no effect.
It’s more certain that low testosterone can cause other problems for men, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, reduced bone mass, low mood, and lack of energy. It’s hard to know how common low testosterone is because it’s very hard to measure. Levels of testosterone can vary throughout the day and can be influenced by other factors, like alcohol use, age, diet, certain medications, and illness. One estimate says a total of 2 percent of men have low testosterone, but it may affect up to 40 percent of men aged 45 and older.
Worryingly, low testosterone also appears to be on the rise among young men. A significant 2007 study found a “substantial” decline in men's testosterone levels in the US since the 1980s, with levels equivalent to a drop of 1 percent each year. The reasons behind this slump are not clear, but it’s thought to be a symptom of industrialized lifestyles, from sedentary jobs to bad diets.
Mother Nature at work, protecting the species!
what about women who have high testosterone. does it protect them?
so.. is that what’s wrong with Brandon!?
Big mystery. Both problems are a product of aging.
Kinda goes with old age. Nothing new!
Possibly, but not necessarily. Numerous studies have shown a link between low estrogen and dementia. This would comport with that since excess testosterone is aromatized into estrogen by the body. As a woman, I would think it would depend on the entirety of your hormone picture. If you have high test and chronically low estrogen, aromatizing excess test might not be enough to make up the difference.
There are never any definitive answers that apply to everyone with hormones. Everyone is different. I would merely take this as a sign that all of us should be vigilant about hour hormone levels.
I am on my 3rd endocrinologist. The first one didnt have a clue as to what he was doing because his forte was diabetes. The second sort of understood the complexity...but it took the third one to even get an ACTH test ordered...which should have been done in the very first round of tests.
I am so fed up with the medical profession right now.
I probably have a genetic variation causing this sex steroid mess but it has taken many months to even get a referral to a metabolic geneticist and the appointment took as many months because so many people are looking for an appointment
Hmmm..if you don’t think about sex all of the time, there’s nothing else of any value to think about and the brain decays, so, makes sense.
That would explain his Scranton-Tough routine.
He’s compensating for his withered little nutlies.
From the article-"The researchers did not find a causal link, so the nature of this relationship is not known, but the paper is one of the sturdiest pieces of evidence that has highlighted this connection yet."
More medical BS from Alzheimers researchers.
Bottom line is the Medical Profession don't know what causes Alzheimers.
They don't know how to treat it.
They don't know how to slow it down.
(Although they will provide prescriptions like Namenda-Donepe zil, Aricept ,etc, that may or may not slow it down.)
But they are very good at fundraising for a cure. -Tom
Caitlyn will be happy to hear this newss. 😖
aiso limp noodles...
It’s no wonder I’m crazy....
Bottom line is the Medical Profession don’t know what causes Alzheimers!:
“They don’t know how to treat it.
They don’t know how to slow it down.
(Although they will provide prescriptions like Namenda-Donepe zil, Aricept ,etc, that may or may not slow it down.)”
One of my wife’s Bible Study women, and a very good family friend, is an extremely intelligent woman with a medical background. She is married to a guy whose Alzheimer’s gets worse each day and his Sun Downer’s Syndrome gets worse each week.
His health insurance is the big PPO out here. They have one gerontologist for a ton of people in 3 counties.
This woman just had a 30 minute appointment with this gerontologist, who is also a very sharp and dedicated female doctor.
Our friend was complaining about the lack of care, and this doctor knew of our friend’s medical background.
This doctor, finally told our friend, “You know as much about treatment as I do, and you know”:
“There is basically, nothing we can do to help your husband, besides loving him and making sure that he doesn’t do something to hurt you, others or him!”
My low testosterone, old age, has led to the inoperation of something that used to be dear to me.
“There is basically, nothing we can do to help your husband, besides loving him and making sure that he doesn’t do something to hurt you, others or him!”
That Doctor is unusual in that she told the unvarnished truth.
What Doctors should do when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's is find out who the CARETAKER is going to be.
Sit them down and tell them, the person diagnosed with Alzheimers is doomed, and is only going to get worse.
There isn't a medical Doctor or group in this world that can help them out.
Get yourself an Elder Services Lawyer, who has someone to handle the nursing Home, and a lawyer who fully understands the State laws.
You are in for a lot of changes in your life.
A PPA which is a patient payment allowance.(Thats the money the nursing home will require.)
How is your will made out? Do you have to change it?
Is his, her, name still on the deed to the house?
If the demented person has social security, you need Representative Payee from the Fed. Govt.(The Fed. Govt won't recognize any states Power of Attorney.)
There are lots of things to consider when a spouse gets dementia.
Although it can happen slowly, falls and wandering can become to dangerous for the demented person and a nursing home is the solution, unless you have a ton of money to keep them at home. -Tom
Later.
If you could just remember what that was......................
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