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Taken from WWW.pubmed.gov (testosterone studies)
Int J Clin Pract. 2007 Mar 1; [Epub ahead of print]
Testosterone and ageing: what have we learned since the institute of medicine report
and what lies ahead?
Miner MM, Seftel AD.
Department of Family Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
A 2003 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) surveyed the literature on the benefits and risks
of testosterone replacement therapy in older men and identified knowledge gaps and research needs.
This review summarises some key studies published since the IOM report. The possible relationship of
testosterone to risk of prostate cancer remains a concern; however, no new evidence has emerged to
suggest that testosterone replacement therapy increases the risk. Recent studies have demonstrated that
hypogonadism in men may be more prevalent than previously thought, is strongly associated with metabolic
syndrome, and may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies have
shown that testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men improves metabolic syndrome indicators
and cardiovascular risk factors. Maintaining testosterone concentrations in the normal range has been
shown to contribute to bone health, lean muscle mass, and physical and sexual function, suggesting
that testosterone replacement therapy may help to prevent frailty in older men. Based on current
knowledge, testosterone replacement therapy is unlikely to pose major health risks in patients without
prostate cancer and may offer substantial health benefits. Larger, longer-term randomised studies
are needed to fully establish the effects of testosterone replacement therapy.
PMID: 17343664 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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