Parkinson's Disease and Testosterone Therapy

By Devin Wilson, NMD

Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in male health and it decreased with age. After 50 years old testosterone decreased by 1-2% per year and 25-30% of men over the age of 60 years show low levels of testosterone. Testosterone deficiency is also very common in elderly men and is linked to a number of different biological dysfunctions that affect the aging process and increase risk of disease.

46.9% of participants with Parkinson’s had low total testosterone levels.

Research has shown that there is a high prevalence of testosterone deficiency in elderly men with Parkinson's disease. Compared to the general aging male population, the risk of testosterone deficiency is 2.8 fold higher per decade among men with Parkinson’s. A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that 46.9% of participants with Parkinson’s had low total testosterone levels.

severity of their motor symptoms reduced after taking testosterone for 3 months.

Testosterone replacement therapy in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease has been studied for over 20 years. In 2002, a study entitled “Beneficial effects of testosterone replacement for the nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease” showed that daily topical treatment had a positive impact on participants. Testosterone not only improved scores of the St. Louis Testosterone Deficiency Questionnaire, scores from the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale showed improvement as well. This means the severity of their motor symptoms reduced after taking testosterone for 3 months. In addition, anxiety levels were also reduced.

Testosterone is known to support psychological features related to good mood and quality of life. Various studies have reported that patients with testosterone deficiency have higher rates of dysphoria, irritability, lack of assertiveness and depression. A 2004 study showed that apathy, defined as lack of feeling, emotion, interest or concern is common in men with Parkinson’s disease and that testosterone deficiency was significantly related to higher apathy.

patients experienced significant improvement in their non-motor symptoms especially fatigue, depression, anxiety and sexual function.

Another study investigating the impact of testosterone therapy in men with Parkinson’s found that following testosterone replacement, patients experienced significant improvement in their non-motor symptoms especially fatigue, depression, anxiety and sexual function.

Although the 2009 TEST-PD study did not show significant improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson patients taking testosterone, the authors reported that the therapy was generally well tolerated. They also admitted that their study had several limitations which could account for their results.

testosterone replacement may improve motor symptoms and general well being in Parkinson’s patients with testosterone deficiency.

A case report published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience demonstrated significant improvement in the resting tremor and fine motor control after testosterone therapy. They conclude that testosterone replacement may improve motor symptoms and general well being in Parkinson’s patients with testosterone deficiency.

Valley Integrative Health offers early screening, thorough assessment and comprehensive evidence based treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.

Devin Wilson, NMD has also been treating patient with bio-identical hormone therapy and testosterone replacement therapy for over 10 years. He has completed advance training in anti-aging therapies and bio-identical hormone therapy from some of the most respected anti-aging groups in the country, such as the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M), and the American College of the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM).

In addition to using conventional treatments, Devin Wilson, NMD uses evidenced based therapies that have been shown to be effective. He has compiled scientific data, clinical studies and published protocols along with over 10 years of clinical experience into a therapeutic model to support individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.

Learn more at www.VIHclinic.com

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8998588/

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https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/782011

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12433262/

Okun MS, Walter BL, McDonald WM, et al. Beneficial effects of testosterone replacement for the nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease. Arch Neurol. 2002;59(11):1750-1753. doi:10.1001/archneur.59.11.1750

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/75/9/1323

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16410216/

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