Testosterone replacement in men
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA. The National Institute on Aging Advisory Panel on Testosterone
Replacement in Men has just issued a report summarizing the current knowledge about testosterone
deficiency and replacement in older men. The panel concluded:
- A total testosterone level below 250 nanograms/mL is associated with decreased sexual function and
osteoporosis.
- It is possible that as many as 5 to 50 per cent of older men would be candidates for testosterone
replacement therapy.
- Most studies have shown a small increase in lean body mass and bone mineral density and a reduction
of fat mass with testosterone replacement.
- It is possible that testosterone replacement may be favourable as far as heart disease is concerned, but
unfavourable in regard to prostate cancer.
- Further studies are urgently required to determine if testosterone replacement therapy increases the
risk of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). It is also possible that it could
increase the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) with the possible consequence of unnecessary biopsies
and surgery.
- If testosterone replacement therapy is warranted it should be administered in the form of a gel or patch.
Report of National Institute on Aging Advisory Panel on Testosterone Replacement in Men. Journal of
Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol. 86, October 2001, pp. 4611-14
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