Basics on hormone replacement therapy

As we grow older our testosterone levels start to slowly decline while estrogen levels increase, In some bodybuilders this process happens a lot sooner than others because of the continuation of attacking your HPTA, Continually shutting your system down for weeks on end then trying to recover it isnt an ideal approach, over time this will effect your own natural production of test, In many cases the damage occurs to your HPTA and there is only one option which comes a lot sooner in life than it should - HRT.

With hormone replacement therapy we try to balance our sex hormones; testosterone, estrogen and progesterone to the same levels that they were at in our mid- twenties, symptoms of lower than normal test are; muscle loss,fat gain, gyno,depression,anger, low libido, erection problems,testicle shrinkage,energy level,low self esteem, irritability, unusual sleeping pattern and relationship problems, in fact every part of your life is effected and the day to day living becomes a toil.

First, blood tests need to be done to establish how your T- levels and some medical and lifestyle background will determine why your sex hormones are out of balance. A blood test needs to find the levels of your free and total testosterone, estradiol, total estrogens , LH, IGF-1, prolaction, DHEA, and several other hormones,

The blood test will determine what type of treatment is needed for balancing the hormones best, not all people should go straight on testosterone replacement therapy, with Andropause (male menopause) our body's go through a slow process where free testosterone levels slowly start to decline, if you were to go straight onto testosterone replacement it could potentially shut down your HPTA fully when it was still producing a certain amount, careful planning will help find which treatment is best for your individual problem. Bodybuilders who go straight onto test replacement may find that they need to stay on it for the rest of their life so sometimes other methods might suit the person better.

When the testes fail to produce Test and men have primary hypogonadism or hypogonadotropic hypognadism Test replacement is the answer, there are a few methods what could solve the problem but knowing the risks what come with each treatment will help to understand the benefits to risk ratio. We produce around 4-7mg of Test per day in a circular pattern with Max levels attained in the early morning and min levels in the evening. Mimicking and stabilizing these levels would be the best approach for treatment.

The best course of treatment would be a therapy what maintains serum concentrations of the hormone without giving significant side effects. many different treatments are available including injectables, tablets and transdermal systems. Within bodybuilding world many go with injection. Estered forms of Test are commonly used with injection of 200-300mg every 14 days (long esters) or shorter ester's can be used but frequent injection normally put a lot of BB's off.

Normally these injection will be good enough to produce enough serum Test levels, many need to adjust the dose or frequency to suit but with more mg comes more possible sides so be careful. Constant monitoring of Test levels to make sure they are in the normal ranges is needed, also men over 40yrs old should have their prostate check on a regular basis. Other sides of such treatment may be lipid abnormalities (reduce HDL,LDL & elevation in blood viscosityl), polycythemia,sleep apnoea, and prostate changes.

In many cases when treatment is implemented sides of andropause will stopped. many will feel a new person and a feeling of well being beholds them. There are positive changes in body composition to more lean mass and decrease BF.

Bodybuilders who are constantly shutting down the HPTA and using steroids over many years have a great potential of damaging their own systems. I've seen so many young guys who are on HRT due to steroids, please think very carefully because what you may do now at this stage could effect your in later life or even sooner. Because we use such higher than normal dosages of Test we get accustomed to the great feeling it produces and when we come off many suffer. I've not known one long term bodybuilder not suffer some of the sides mentioned in this thread. If steroids is the direction your going to achieve your goals makes sure you do it as healthy as possible, spend as little as possible on cycle to achieve your goals and try and keep shutdown to a minimum time. Remember it easier to recover from a short shutdown than it is longer ones.

Does T3 Helps To Lose Weight?

T3 is also known as triiodothyronine, a thyroid hormone. It is related to and even more important than the other but more popular thyroid hormone, T4 or thyroxine.

Thyroxine is the precursor of T4 and the production of both hormones is signaled in the thyroid gland by TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.

Thyroid stimulating hormone is released from the pituitary gland and forms a feedback loop with both T3 and T4. Therefore, when the plasma levels of the thyroid hormone falls, TSH production is increased and when the thyroid hormones rise above their normal plasma levels, TSH production is reduced.

The control over the release of TSH itself is found in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which is released from the hypothalamus.

T3 is only 20% of the amount of thyroid hormones synthesized. The other 80% is thyroxine.

However, in the plasma T3 is only 2.5% of the circulating thyroid hormones. It does not last as long as thyroxine (the time taken for T3 concentration to reduce to half is 2.5 days while for T4, that time is 6.5 days).

Furthermore, most of the T3 found in circulation are produced from T4.

By simply removing an iodine atom in a specific position on the T4 molecule, T3 is produced. The enzymes responsible for converting T4 to T3 are found in different parts of the body including the thyroid, kidney, liver, adipose tissue, placenta, heart, central nervous system and even the pituitary gland.

Even though T3 can be made from T4, the body still makes triiodothyronine directly. This is done in the lumen of the thyroid gland.

The synthesis proceeds with the addition of iodine atoms to tyrosine for form monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT). These reactions require hydrogen peroxide to proceed.

MIT and DIT then combine together in a reaction catalyzed by an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. The product of this combination is T3.
What T3 Does and How It Works

The biological effects of T3 are extensive and the hormone contributes to almost all the physiological processes in the human body. For example, T3 affects heart rate, the rate of metabolism, body temperature and growth rate.

In the blood, T3 binds to specific types of carrier proteins: serum albumin (with low affinity) and thyroid-binding globulin (with high affinity).

These molecules increase the stability and longevity of T3 but impede the uptake of the hormone by tissues. For T3 to pass through tissues, it must shed its carrier protein.

To produce its biological effects, T3 binds to thyroid receptors in tissues. In addition, because it is fat-soluble, it can cross into cells through their phospholipid layers.

T3 can be found in most tissues although it is notably absent in the tissues of the testes and spleen.

Its overall effect depends on the part of the body where it acts. However, T3 generally increases the basal metabolic rate.

When T3 increases the rate of metabolism, it does the following:

    Increase the amount of oxygen and energy used up by the body
    Increase the amount of calories required for normal body processes even when the muscles are rested
    Increase the population of sodium/potassium/ATPase, the primary energy-generating complex in the body
    Increase the use and breakdown of many nutrient macromolecules produced in the body

On proteins, T3 increases the rate of their production and degradation by increasing the amount of the enzymes, RNA polymerase I and II.

For carbohydrates, T3 increases gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose from stored glycogen. This effect is mediated by beta adrenergic receptors. By acting on beta adrenergic receptors, T3 can increase heart rate and pulse rate. Specifically, T3 increases systolic blood pressure but decreases diastolic blood pressure.

On lipids, T3 increases the rate of lipolysis. Specifically, it drives the breakdown of cholesterol and increases the number of LDL receptors.

In the brain, T3 increases the production of certain neurotransmitters especially serotonin.

The positive effect of T3 on serotonin is the reason it is now recommended (along with SSRIs or selective serotonin receptor inhibitors) in the treatment of drug-resistance and recurring depression and bipolar disorders. Different studies have established that long-term supplementation with T3 significantly improves the symptoms of (and may even “cure”) these psychological disorders.

T3 (or any of its prodrugs) is also used as a fat loss supplement. It has been proven to increase the metabolism of fatty acid and the breakdown of fat stored in adipose tissue
How T3 Can Promote Weight Loss

The only mechanism by which T3 promotes weight loss is by increasing metabolic rate.

Although it is a one-trick weight loss solution, that one trick is pretty remarkable. T3 increases basal metabolic rate by increasing the rate at which the body breaks down all food groups. It unlocks significant energy for the body to use, and it can produce very dramatic results especially in overweight people with diagnosed or silent hypothyroidism.

When the amount of thyroid hormones produced in the body falls, the rate of metabolism falls with it. In this regard, the amount of circulating T3 is more important than that of T4.

Because of the reduced metabolic rate, low thyroid functioning results in difficulty in reducing body weight. When overweight individuals adopt healthy, low caloric diets and take up regular exercise but still cannot shed weight, the most likely reason is low metabolic rate caused by low T3 levels.

Even a 10% reduction in metabolic rate can make weight loss very difficult. However, available clinical data suggest that most people who find it difficult to lose weight have 15 – 40% reduction in metabolic rate.

For this group of people, T3 is the magic remedy for losing weight.

The ability of T3 to prompting weight loss does not really depend on adopting a low caloric diet. In fact, the usual response to a low-carbohydrate diet is a reduction in the body’s metabolic rate. By supplementing with T3, the body keeps up a high rate of metabolism even with the amount of calories in the diet is reduced.

Exercise, on the other hand, has a more significant effect on the result of T3 supplementation in weight loss. In fact, T3 increases the amount of available energy, and practically encourages the user to exercise.

Unlike stimulants like caffeine and synephrine, T3 increases the rate of metabolism without such side effects as jitters. It does not make the user “hyper”. Instead, it simply energizes the user without the crash that comes from overstimulation with stimulants.

When taking T3 for weight loss, the aim is to increase the levels of T3 to the edge of the upper limit while not stepping over and setting off hyperthyroidism.

To do that, it is important to closely monitor the plasma levels of T3 while taking the supplement.

Where this is not possible, clear signs of hyperthyroidism such as irregular, rapid heartbeats should be the indication to stop T3 supplementation.

In most cases of abnormal weight gain even in the face of dieting and exercise, there is an impairment in the enzymes responsible for converting T4 to T3. Since most of the circulating T3 in the body comes from T4, such impairment makes it important to find another source of T3. This can be done through drugs and supplements that increase T3 levels.

The Use of Human Growth Hormone in the treatment of HIV / AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The HIV retrovirus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or other bodily fluids come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection and are fit and well. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Growth hormone is a popular bodybuilding and performance enhancing aid, and the use of recombinant human growth hormone (HGH, or simply GH) to treat various conditions in HIV infection has been debated with excitement for years. Indeed it is licensed for the treatment of wasting syndrome in advanced stages of AIDS. GH is also a commonly used bodybuilding and performance enhancing drug, which can be purchased on the black market; used to help both muscle anabolism / strength and reduction in body fat levels. Both of these applications have possible significance in the treatment of HIV.

Other than in the treatment of wasting disease, results from the studies using HGH to treat body changes associated with HIV and/or drugs used to treat HIV have been very favourable. One which has been studied extensively is the use of HGH in reducing HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS). However, the positive effects of HGH treatment in HIV may be more direct. Several studies have proposed that HGH may bolster the immune system in ways that might improve clinical outcomes in HIV.

Let's look at each of the possible treatment benefits of HGH in HIV in turn:

Wasting
Like cancer cachexia, advanced stages of AIDS are characterised by severe muscle wasting and weakness. The reasons for this are because the patient often has a very poor appetite and food intake, as well as there being direct wasting effects from the HIV and some associated diseases which the patient may have, e.g. pneumonia. The patient then enters a downward cycle with diminished strength, poor food intake and further wasting, and it's often this which leads to eventual death.

Both anabolic steroids (AS) and HGH therapy are used clinically to both slow the effects of wasting and to help improve appetite. Both have been shown to prolong life significantly and improve quality of life in advanced stages of AIDS .

HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS)
HARS is a type of lipodystrophy (abnormal distribution of body fat), where there is accumulation of excess truncal fat and visceral adipose tissue, as opposed to regular gynoid (glutes and hips) or android (abdomen) deposition. This is observed in HIV infected people, moreso as virus load increases. Although not a debilitating condition in itself (indeed extra body fat can prolong life if followed by wasting), HARS is unpleasant for the individual, giving reduced confidence in body image; another negative aspect of the disease.
HGH therapy has been shown to significantly reduce HARS, leading to an improved body image, and significant improvement in psychological well-being. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of this, leading to HGH being licesenced for the treatment of HARS in some countries. It should also be noted that improvement in psychological well-being could also contribute to a positive clinical outcome, in that it reduces the effects of wasting.

Immune system
Of most interest in HIV therapy are the possible benefits of HGH use on the immune system, since HIV's primary adverse effect is reduction in the immune system. It has been clearly demonstrated that HGH does benefit the immune system, but the method by which it helps is still under debate. One theory is that HGH may stimulate renewal of the thymus gland, an important organ in the immune system. This may, in turn, lead to improved immune health in people with HIV. Studies are now examining whether or not renewing thymus tissue leads to better health and longer survival.

The thymus is necessary for developing new T-lymphocytes, which are key immune cells in the defence against disease, and numbers of which steadily reduce in HIV as infection progresses. In particular the thymus gland is involved in the development of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and it is the CD4+ level which is a very critical marker in HIV outcome. Without some thymus activity, immune reconstitution that produces a wide range of functional CD4+ cells is not believed to be possible. Thus, the state of the thymus in HIV disease and how therapies affect it are of great interest to those researching ways to restore the immune system.

Acute Infections
HIV patients are often more prone to acute infections which may take longer to clear up than in non-HIV individuals. Sometimes these can be associated with poor appetite and weight loss. HGH therapy may curb rapid weight loss often associated with acute infections in HIV positive people and may also reduce length of infection. Far more research is needed here though.

Fasting lipid profile
HIV patients have been shown to have elevated serum lipids, and dyslipidaemia, i.e. high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol with raised total cholesterol and triglycerides. This is associated with anti-HIV drug treatment especially later on in infection. This does increase risk of cardiovascular diseases, and HGH treatment may improve lipid profiles.

Bone Building
HIV patients may have loss of bone density associated with wasting. Both treatment with HGH and growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF) have indicated improved bone mass in HIV patients (Koutkia et al 2005).

Side effects of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. The HIV retrovirus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or other bodily fluids come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection and are fit and well. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.

Growth hormone is a popular bodybuilding and performance enhancing aid, and the use of recombinant human growth hormone (HGH, or simply GH) to treat various conditions in HIV infection has been debated with excitement for years. Indeed it is licensed for the treatment of wasting syndrome in advanced stages of AIDS. GH is also a commonly used bodybuilding and performance enhancing drug, which can be purchased on the black market; used to help both muscle anabolism / strength and reduction in body fat levels. Both of these applications have possible significance in the treatment of HIV.

Other than in the treatment of wasting disease, results from the studies using HGH to treat body changes associated with HIV and/or drugs used to treat HIV have been very favourable. One which has been studied extensively is the use of HGH in reducing HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS). However, the positive effects of HGH treatment in HIV may be more direct. Several studies have proposed that HGH may bolster the immune system in ways that might improve clinical outcomes in HIV.