Low T and apnea?

[Merryj]

Can anyone tell me why treating low testosterone could cause an increase in apnea symptoms? I have been reading up on this because my DH has been diagnosed with Low t and has untreated apnea (that’s a whole different story, makes me want to smack him). I can't find any information on why having testoterone treatment would increase apnea?

Thanks

[fredouil]

that’s a whole different story, makes me want to smack him
Thanks

Probably not : viewtopic.php?f=1&t=70951&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... stosterone

[Merryj]

Thanks - but what i was aksing is why do some sites say that the hormone treatment for low T could increase apneas?

[cre8vmynd]

Here is one study:

ABSTRACT

Introduction.  With the recent increased recognition and treatment of hypogonadism in men, a caution has been given that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may cause or aggravate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA).

Aim.  To evaluate the scientific data behind the cautionary statements about TRT and OSA.

Main Outcome Measures.  Methodology and criteria for such studies and evaluation of documents and results based on methodology, duration, and outcome of treatment.

Methods.  A review of the literature on the subject of TRT and OSA was performed. The possible mechanisms of action of TRT, on breathing and respiration during sleep were explored.

Result.  Historically, the first such caution came in 1978. Since then, a few similar incidence reports have been cited. The total number of patients in such reports was very small, very disproportional to the millions of patients treated with TRT. Also, there was a lack of consistent findings connecting TRT to OSA. In addition, different results may occur with physiologic replacement vs. supraphysiologic doses in regard to breathing and OSA. The studies showing the effect of TRT on OSA and breathing were all case studies with small numbers of subjects and showed little effect of TRT on OSA in the majority of case reports. Only one study using supraphysiologic doses was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which showed a development of OSA in healthy pooled subjects. The other reports were case studies with limited numbers of subjects, suggesting an inconsistent effect of supraphysiologic TRT on OSA and breathing.

Conclusion.  Cautionary statements about TRT in OSA appear frequently in the TRT literature and guidelines, despite lack of convincing evidence that TRT causes and/or aggravates OSA. Also, there is a lack of consistency in the findings connecting TRT to OSA. It is evident that the link between TRT and OSA is weak, based on methodological issues in many of the studies, and most studies involved small numbers of men. Further studies in this area are needed. Hanafy HM. Testosterone therapy and obstructive sleep apnea: Is there a real connection? J Sex Med 2007;4;1241–1246.

From what I've read, any form of sleep deprivation or chronic sleep fragmentation (in this case, OSA) can significantly lower a mans testosterone levels. And I've also read that proper testosterone levels are important for healthy sleep in men.

Hopefully if your husband gets treatment for his OSA, his T levels will rise. I'm in the same boat and at 29, I'm hoping my treatment will help.

Casey

[fredouil]

Thanks - but what i was aksing is why do some sites say that the hormone treatment for low T could increase apneas?

In the literature it is mostly an observation, i never found much explanation, I am not sure anyone know the why.I was snoring a bit more when i was on HRT but I feel much better now and I am pretty sure my T level has increased (was only 144 just before i got my CPAP), I wake up with morning glory now

[Merryj]

Morning Glory would be nice

He won't go for his follow-up for apnea - says he won't sleep with that "thing" on his face. But he is sleeping on the couch right now - falls asleep at the drop of a hat. And he does have Low-T but won't call the doctor back and make a follow up appt.

[fredouil]

Morning Glory would be nice

He won't go for his follow-up for apnea - says he won't sleep with that "thing" on his face. But he is sleeping on the couch right now - falls asleep at the drop of a hat. And he does have Low-T but won't call the doctor back and make a follow up appt.

Frankly with the Swift FX Nasal and the EPR set at 3, it is not really a "thing" on the face and it it quite pleasant to breath, pretty much easier than without mask.

[NightMonkey]

Morning Glory would be nice

He won't go for his follow-up for apnea - says he won't sleep with that "thing" on his face. But he is sleeping on the couch right now - falls asleep at the drop of a hat. And he does have Low-T but won't call the doctor back and make a follow up appt.

Can you get him to sleep on his sides or stomach and totally avoid backsleeping? This might help some but don't give him the impression it is the total answer.

[Merryj]

When his snoring wakes me up I "gently" punch him so he rolls on to his side. he is just plain stubborn

[ResMed S8 Autoset II Lover]

Can anyone tell me why treating low testosterone could cause an increase in apnea symptoms? I have been reading up on this because my DH has been diagnosed with Low t and has untreated apnea (that’s a whole different story, makes me want to smack him). I can't find any information on why having testoterone treatment would increase apnea?

Thanks

Hi,

I saw this post and I have low T. I had to stop TRT because it blew my pressures through the roof. Just one week on Testim (T gel) and my AutoPap was blasting pressures into almost near twenty. Maxing the thing out.

It is well documented that TRT can worsen sleep apnea. It can be combined, but there is a good chance he'd be at a high pressure. He might have to use a bipap or use a comfort feature like C-Flex or EPR to tolerate the high pressures. Or maybe just go to a bipap.

At the same time, there it is recognized that one form of hypogonadism, the secondary form, called "central hypogonadism," can actually be CAUSED by sleep apnea! So, treating OSA aggressively could (theoretically) increase T levels if his form of hypogonadism is the secondary form of it. Mine is the secondary form, but I never noticed very much improvement in my libido from CPAP use. Some, but not a huge amount. My T levels did go up, but not enough to really put me out of the hypogonadism classification.

If I had to choose between treating the two, Id choose treating OSA because OSA can actually kill you. Untreated hypogonadism will not kill you. Ideally though, both should be treated.

Richard

[Randyp1234]

It is well documented that TRT can worsen sleep apnea. It can be combined, but there is a good chance he'd be at a high pressure. He might have to use a bipap or use a comfort feature like C-Flex or EPR to tolerate the high pressures. Or maybe just go to a bipap.

Richard

I've been on TRT for years and my pressure is only 9

Randy