Greetings:

Thought this might be interesting to you all since you seem to be
having trouble with anemia.

Anemia is a frequent feature of male hypogonadism and anti-androgenic
treatment. We hypothesized that the presence of low testosterone
levels in older persons is a risk factor for anemia. METHODS:
Testosterone and hemoglobin levels were measured in a representative
sample of 905 persons 65 years or older without cancer, renal
insufficiency, or anti-androgenic treatments. Hemoglobin levels were
reassessed after 3 years. RESULTS: At baseline, 31 men and 57 women
had anemia. Adjusting for confounders, we found that total and
bioavailable testosterone levels were associated with hemoglobin
levels in women (P = .001 and P = .02, respectively) and in men
(P<.001 and P = .03, respectively). Men and women in the lowest
quartile of total and bioavailable testosterone were more likely than
those in the highest to have anemia (men, 14/99 vs 3/100; odds ratio
[OR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-21.8 for total and 16/99
vs 1/99; OR, 13.1; 95% CI, 1.5-116.9 for bioavailable testosterone;
women, 21/129 vs 12/127; OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.9-5.0 for total and 24/127
vs 6/127; OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-9.4 for bioavailable testosterone).
Among nonanemic participants and independent of confounders, men and
women with low vs normal total and bioavailable testosterone levels
had a significantly higher risk of developing anemia at 3-year
follow-up (21/167 vs 28/444; relative risk, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1 for
total and 26/143 vs 23/468; relative risk, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.9-7.8 for
bioavailable testosterone). CONCLUSION: Older men and women with low
testosterone levels have a higher risk of anemia.

PMID: 16832003

Erich :)

[Actually, I would not say that either I or Kitty are "having trouble with
anemia". We are simply cautiously watching our iron and hemoglobin and taking
preventive measures to see that they do *not* decrease into or remain in the
anemia range.

For a nice page to help determine anemia status see:
http://www.sph.emory.edu/~cdckms/hbadj2.html

Kitty was borderline anemic before we met and she adopted my dietary program.
She has been so when she had her kidney stone (Jan 2003) and last July (which is
why we started taking iron). It was improved by November and even moreso in
April (latter tests not yet online). My values have changed little over the
years and are not in the anemia range (my lowest was also last July before we
started the iron supplements).

However, it is certainly true that testosterone levels relate directly to
hemoglobin levels (which is why women of all ages generally have lower
hemoglobin levels than men). This is likely why my hemoglobin has been on the
low side of normal since I lost a testicle due to torsion at age 30. Kitty takes
androstenediol which appears to raise her testosterone. I tried taking it a
while back but it appeared instead to raise my estrogen even moreso and
therefore, I discontinued it. As long as my parameters remain adequate, I am not
really interested in having more testosterone at this time in my life unless it
could be effectively taken in pill form rather than as gels and patches, which
to me are not worth the bother. I also do not want to take an aromatase
inhibitor since I am concerned about its effects on reducing estrogen in those
places within my body where it is beneficial for me. --Paul]

[I too am not having any trouble with anemia. I was borderline anemic several
months ago the cause of which was most likely my low iron stores. I have now
been trying to increase my iron stores and according to my latest blood test
results (the LEF blood test I took during my visit to Paul and Kitty) my efforts
are working great. My ferritin and hemoglobin levels have risen considerably and
should reach desirable levels in a few months, after which I will reduce my dose
of supplemental iron to a maintenance dose. -°Olafur]

[LEF makes it possible (and hopefully other organizations will make this
available in the future) for individuals to keep track of numerous constituents
in their blood and therefore the level of their own health before gross symptoms
of irregularity are obvious. Waiting until one feels unwell before going to a
physician and hoping that he orders the appropriate blood work is not necessary.
We urge anyone serious about maintaining excellent health to get regular blood
testing appropriate to their age, known physical condition and family history.

In addition, Paul and I would very much like to see LEF arrange for members to
be able to get bone density scans and more comprehensive urine testing (which
both require a physician's order) in a similar manner to the blood testing.
**Kitty]