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Taken from WWW.pubmed.gov (testosterone studies)
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 May;91(5):1683-90. Epub 2006 Feb 14.
Effects of testosterone replacement in androgen-deficient women with hypopituitarism:
a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
· Miller KK,
· Biller BM,
· Beauregard C,
· Lipman JG,
· Jones J,
· Schoenfeld D,
· Sherman JC,
· Swearingen B,
· Loeffler J,
· Klibanski A.
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston,
Massachusetts 02114, USA. kkmiller@partners.org
CONTEXT: Hypopituitarism in women is characterized by profound androgen deficiency due to a loss of
adrenal and/or ovarian function. The effects of testosterone replacement in this population have not
been reported.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether physiologic testosterone replacement
improves bone density, body composition, and/or neurobehavioral function in women with severe androgen
deficiency secondary to hypopituitarism.
DESIGN: This was a 12-month randomized, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: The study was conducted
at a general clinical research center. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one women of reproductive age with
androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism participated. INTERVENTION: Physiologic testosterone
administration using a patch that delivers 300 microg daily or placebo was administered.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone density, fat-free mass, and fat mass were measured by dual x-ray
absorptiometry. Thigh muscle and abdominal cross-sectional area were measured by computed tomography
scan. Mood, sexual function, quality of life, and cognitive function were assessed using self-administered
questionnaires.
RESULTS: Mean free testosterone increased into the normal range during testosterone administration.
Mean hip (P = 0.023) and radius (P = 0.007), but not posteroanterior spine, bone mineral density
increased in the group receiving testosterone, compared with placebo, as did mean fat-free mass
(P = 0.040) and thigh muscle area (P = 0.038), but there was no change in fat mass. Mood (P = 0.029)
and sexual function (P = 0.044) improved, as did some aspects of quality of life, but not cognitive
function. Testosterone at physiologic replacement levels was well tolerated, with few side effects.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to show a positive
effect of testosterone on bone density, body composition, and neurobehavioral function in women with
severe androgen deficiency due to hypopituitarism.
PMID: 16478814 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Dr. Gordon:
For the purpose of understanding the adverse effects of testosterone deficiency in women as well as the benefits of
replacement therapy it makes no difference whether the cause of the testosterone deficiency is a pituitary problem,
as was the case in this study, or ovarian failure which is the "normal" cause.
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