Testosterone levels and Apnea

[Janelle]

Read an article last night (can't find it now, of course) about the relationship of testosterone in sleep apnea. Higher levels lead to more apnea. This interested me because two men in my life --my father and husband both USED to snore like John Deere tractors. My father, I remember since my childhood has fallen asleep watching TV and snored so loudly my mother had to sleep in another room. She says now (at 89) he no longer snores. He has a deviated septum.

My husband also used to snore very loudly, snorting etc. He says it was from stress. He stopped snoring and now only breathes very loudly. About a year ago, the dr. wanted to put him on Testosterone replacement shots. He started snoring again. Hmm. He became very argumentative and aggressive on these shots --definitely not the man I married, and I insisted he quit them, which he did. Now he doesn't snore anymore either.

The article also went on to say this is probably one of the reasons more men than women have apnea. that and that they have a longer soft palate. Even though women have a narrower airway and smaller throat opening and higher body mass index, they do not seem to have the problems men do with the same conditions.

Hormone replacement in women also seems to play a role in apnea with estrogen causing an increase.

Comments anyone?

[Waverly]

Actually Janelle you've got it backwards. When testosterone is low it tends to cause more aggressive behavior. An example would be the Great Ape. The order of the males is determined by the testosterone level. The silverback being the highest. Now the silverback is also the most calm of the male apes. Yes he is capable of great aggression to defend the group. He is normally very calm . Look how he can hold a baby ape so gently. He doesnt attack unless provoked.

Low testosterone causes low self esteem , anger, restlesness , lack of concintration. Other things that I dont remember.

Testosterone creams and gells may cause complications to Sleep apnea making it worse.

i'll post a link later to this subject if i can find it.

Waverly

[Waverly]

Its comming back to me now.
Is your husband heavy? The fat tends to change testosterone into estradiol in men and woman. In a mans case the testosterone receptors of the cell are bound by estradiol preventing the testosterone from being used by the body. It would be like not having any . Aggression ,low self esteem are the result. So the testosterone isnt the problem. To prevent estradiol from blocking the testosterone receptors men are given Anastrozole. This prevents estradiol from blocking the testosterone receptors. Arimidex is a brand. so if your husbands doc isnt giving arinidex or similar drug the testosterone isnt getting where it needs to go.
I would suggest you visit an anti ageing specialist . They have the knowledge to make supplimental testosterone work. Also, give it in weekly doses of .5cc instead of 1cc biweekly. I gives more even results. Preventing highs and lows. Testosterone levels should be measured in the early morning . Thats when they are at their peak.

Hope this helps,

Waverly

[chrisp]

Hi Janelle ,
I have some experience with this. Waverly is correct. There is an excellent Dr.. in your area http://www.sebringclinic.com

Dont give up on your husbands therapy. Just find a doc who can get it right. Remember the problems of sleep apnea and finding a doc that knows ? Testosterone therapy is no different. Some Docs try but dont go all the way because they just dont know.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Janelle]

Can't remember if he was getting weekly or every two week shots. They were simply called testosterone. He was VERY aggressive and irritable on them. Since he quit, he is not. That's all I know. Yes, he is heavy about 220, could lose about 40 pounds, in my opinion, 20 in his for his height. He's 64. Dr. says there is really no medical benefit to him being on the shots other than "a guy thing"

[Waverly]

Janelle,
A guy thing is it. Testosterone is a very important hormone in men and woman. With low testosterone you are apt to get osteoporosis, heart disease, depression, hair loss on body, Pot belly, have memory problems, restlessness, anger & problems concentrating besides the sexual problems.

Woman needs testosterone also but only 5% of that of men.

Take him to see an anti aging specialist. Get his levels checked along with estradiol .

A regular GP willjust look at you cross eyed when you say estradiol. LOL

Waverly

[Waverly]

Here is a bit more on the importance of testostereone. LOL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4202199.stm

Cheers,

Waverly