Bro I just got diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism a few months back. I am only 28, and was lifetime steroid free.When I was first diagnosed i was scared like you are, and intimidated. However, once you do some heavy research on the subject, you will be more concerned about the health risks associated with Low Testosterone, than you will with HRT. Because in reality all HRT is designed to do is supply your body with bioidentical testosterone to bring your levels back to NORMAL. (key word being NORMAL) One article I just googled reads as follows:
"Declining testosterone levels can lead to the development of numerous symptoms such as a decrease in virility, libido and sexual activity, general sense of well-being, as well as fatigue, depression and sleep disturbances. In addition to problems such as sexual dysfunction or general malaise, however, low testosterone also translates into decreased muscle mass and strength, as well as a decrease in bone mass and an increase in abdominal fat. Studies show that the latter two lay a role in degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Moreover, depleted testosterone levels are being linked to the incidence of various lipid disorders and heart disease."
"Low testosterone levels have also been implicated in playing a role in the development of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular heart disease. A study from Mahidol University in Bangkok found that, in assessing a group of Thai men and postmenopausal women over 50 years of age for levels of various hormones as they might relate to health conditions, plasma estradiol levels were highest in hypertensive men and testosterone levels were lowest in men with coronary heart disease.(6) The researchers conclude that perhaps, “Decreased testosterone and/or increased estradiol may have an adverse effect on lipid profile in elderly men.” Another study conducted among a Chinese male population likewise reported that low testosterone may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease, which may relate to lipoprotein metabolism by endogenous testosterone.(7) Results showed that mean plasma testosterone levels among patients with coronary heart disease were significantly—about 40%—lower than in healthy subjects. Moreover, there was a negative association between plasma testosterone levels and plasma triglyceride levels and lipoprotein (a), which translated into higher blood lipid levels relative to lower testosterone levels. Contrarily, a positive association between plasma testosterone levels and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein 3 cholesterol meant that higher testosterone levels equaled higher “good” cholesterol levels."
"The adverse effects of low testosterone levels are apparent, bothersome, and serious enough to warrant further examination of how androgen impacts on various aspects of male health, and how androgen replacement therapy can serve as a means to contain age-related hormonal pitfalls. The biggest challenge may conceivably be to restore the reputation of testosterone, which has been cast as a “bad steroid” for some time."
Bottom Line: the opinion of the more educated on this subject is that it would be MUCH more life shortening/threatening to sit on your thumbs and do nothing about your condition living out your days with abnormally low test levels. The problem is that people view HRT as "taking steroids", which is not exactly the same thing. The reason you can get "steroids" at Walgreens with a prescription is because these drugs are used to legitimately treat medical conditions such as mine. Me taking Test Cyp injections to treat my condition is no different than my cousin taking Synthroid to treat his Hypothyroidism. The problem is that the media has everyone scared shitless of these drugs. As long as they are used as directed, and not abused, they will ONLY improve/lengthen your life.
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