Effects of Testosterone Therapy in Older Men
Overview of Recent Studies
In 2017, three significant studies examined the effects of testosterone therapy in older men. The findings indicate that testosterone therapy can enhance skeletal health and alleviate anemia in this demographic. Low testosterone levels have been linked to various health complications in men. Despite earlier studies highlighting the benefits of testosterone supplementation, skepticism has emerged, prompting further investigation into its impact on health and wellbeing.
Editorial Insights
An editorial published in JAMA Internal Medicine underscores the findings from the 2017 studies, emphasizing the relationship between declining sex steroid levels, such as testosterone and estradiol, and the increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis in older men.
Impact on Skeletal Health
Research conducted by Snyder and colleagues focused on how testosterone therapy affects bone density in older men with low testosterone levels. Administering testosterone through a gel for one year resulted in testosterone levels similar to those of younger men and was associated with significant increases in bone mineral density. Notably, this improvement was most pronounced in the load-bearing vertebral bodies of the spine, enhancing both volume and estimated strength comparably to traditional osteoporosis treatments. These findings suggest that testosterone therapy may positively influence skeletal health in older men, potentially serving as an alternative to osteoporosis medications for men with borderline osteoporotic bone mineral density and low testosterone.
Need for Further Research
To fully understand the implications of testosterone therapy on skeletal health, additional long-term studies involving osteoporotic men and those with low bone mineral density from various causes are essential. These studies should focus on assessing the impact of testosterone therapy on fracture risk.
Effects on Anemia
Testosterone’s role in red blood cell production has also been highlighted in research by Roy, Snyder, and associates. Their study investigated the connection between testosterone levels and anemia—characterized by low red blood cell counts or hemoglobin levels—in older men. The results showed that testosterone therapy led to increased hemoglobin levels and a higher proportion of men resolving their anemia after one year of treatment. This effect extended to men with anemia of unknown causes, suggesting that routine testosterone level screenings could be beneficial in treating older men with anemia. Monitoring hemoglobin levels during testosterone therapy may also prove advantageous.
Cardiovascular Risk Considerations
Conflicting findings regarding testosterone therapy’s effects on cardiovascular risk have emerged. Cheetham and colleagues analyzed medical records to explore this relationship in men with low testosterone levels. Their findings revealed that men receiving testosterone therapy experienced 33% fewer adverse cardiovascular events over an average of 3.4 years compared to untreated individuals. However, the study’s population predominantly consisted of younger men, limiting the generalizability of the results to older men, who may be more susceptible to cardiovascular risks.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The studies suggest that testosterone therapy could improve skeletal health and address anemia in older men. These findings may help shape guidelines for the safe and effective use of testosterone therapy, particularly regarding its influence on hemoglobin levels, its potential as an alternative to osteoporosis treatments, and its role in addressing unexplained anemia. Larger, long-term trials are necessary to explore the effects on fracture risks, cardiovascular health, and the prevalence of adverse events.
Disclaimer
Written by: Raishard Haynes, MBS. The article includes sponsored links that are provided for convenience and informational purposes. The editorial staff of the Medical News Bulletin did not influence the content of these links and is not responsible for their accuracy. The views expressed in the sponsored links are those of the advertisers and do not reflect the opinions of the Medical News Bulletin. The Medical News Bulletin is not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of products or services mentioned in these links.