Male Hormones Flashcards
If morning cortisol is elevated; it could indicate:
infection, nocturnal hypoglycemia and or increased risk for a cardiovascular event
DHEA is the major precursors of what
androstenedione, testosterone and estrogens
cholesterol is metabolized into pregnenolone which is concerted to either _______ or _______ both of which are converted to testosterone
androstenediol or androstenedione
testosterone is primarily produced by the action of ___ on the ____ cells of the _____ although small amounts of testosterone can be secreted by the adrenal glands
LH, Leydig cells, Testis
The Leydig cells of the testis produce what
testosterone
what can testosterone be converted into
estradiol or dihydrotestosterone
Estradiol of dihydrotestosterone come from what
testosterone
5-alpha reductase is the enzyme that converts what to what
testosterone to DHT (5a-dihydro-testosterone)
what enzyme cnonverts: testosterone to DHT (5a-dihydro-testosterone)
5-alpha reductase
aromatase is the enzyme that converts what to what
testosterone to estradiol
what enzyme converts testosterone to estradiol
aromatase
what have high levels of testosterone been assocaited with
high cholesterol, prostate problems, atherosclerosis and aggression.
salivary vs serum testosterone testing
97-98% of plasma testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and only 2-3% is free testosterone.
-total serum is useful to determine whether there is normal response of the Leydig cells to FHS and LH, saliva is the test to give true levels of the bioavailability of testosterone.
DHT is made how
from testosterone with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase
Increased production of DHT has been shown to cause:
prostate growth
male pattern baldness
what drugs are used to inhibit 5-alpha reductase in cases of prostate hyperplasia?
Propecia and Proscar
what two herbs function to limit 5-alpha reductase and when would you use them
-saw palmetto and Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
-in cases of increased DHT (5a-dihydro-testosterone) to prevent prostate hyperplasia
what can you use to treat prostate hyperplasia
-saw palmetto
-Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
Androstenedione is a weak androgen and a direct precursor to what
testosterone and estrone
in men, excessive androstenedione results in
excessive estrone production
in men after 30, there is a 1-2% decrease in production of testosterone from the testes. In hope of being converted to testosterone, the adrenals begin making more what
adrenals start making more androstenedione hoping it will get converted to testosterone
when here is an increase of androstenedione without increasing levels of testosterone this represents a what
biochemical glitch
what is the biochemical glitch with testosterone
when there is an increase in androstenedione without an increase in testosterone
when there is increased androstenedione without an increase in testosterone what natural agents are recommended
Vitamin E
Lipoic Acid
Co-Enzyme Q10
Zin
Vitamin E, Lipoic Acid, Co-Enzyme Q10 and Zinc are recommended for males when
there is an increase in androstenedione without an increase in testosterone
progesterone is largely made from ______ in the ______ of males
pregnenolone in the adrenal glands
where is progesterone made from in males
adrenal glands
what is calming to the body and activates the GABA chloride channel to help the body shut down for rest and recovery
progesterone
what acts to limit the conversion of testosterone to DHT
progesterone
what is an antagonist to the effects of estrogens in the bodies of males
progesterone
in men almost all estrone is converted from what
androstenedione
where is estrone stored
in adipose tissue. the more adipose tissue, the higher the level of estrone
excess estrone in males can lead to
weight gain (storage of fat) and prostate enlargement
if low testoerone is reported than teh following should be ruled out
- conversion problem of androstenedione to testosterone
- Depressed DHEA/pregnenolone steal
- Depressed levels of androstenedione
what herbs are good to increase testosterone when all other pathway problems are ruled out
-50-100mg/day oral capsule testosterone
-stinging nettle
-Damiana (Tunera Diffusa)
-Sarsaparilla
what are good ways to decrease testosterone levels
-saw palmetto berries (anti-androgenic by inhibiting formation of DHT di-hydrotestoerone)
-Chaste tree berries
-Pygeum: decreases DHT synthesis and testosterone uptake by the prostate
what helps with the estrogen metabolism and detoxification of steroids
DIM (diindolymethane) found in brassica plants
what are part of the brassica genus and what do they help with
broccoli, cabbage, brusssel sprouts, cauliflower, kale
estrogen metabolism and detox of steroids
testosterone concentration has been noted to drop as much as ___% from morning to evening.
50%
medication conditions commonly responsible for lowering testosterone levels
DM
Liver disease
Hemochromatosis
Obesity (esp. abdominal fat)
medications found to lower testosterone levels include
Ketoconazole
Cimetidine
Glucocorticoids
Smoking and C. alcohol use
