Testosterone supplementation did not show consistent benefit for cardiovascular risk , sexual function , mood and behavior , or cognition .
Studies that examined clinical cardiovascular endpoints have not favored testosterone therapy over placebo .
Testosterone is ineffective in treating erectile dysfunction and controlled trials did not show a consistent effect on libido .
Testosterone supplementation consistently increased muscle strength but did not have beneficial effects on physical function .
Most studies on mood-related endpoints found no beneficial effect of testosterone treatment on personality , psychological well-being , or mood .
Testosterone products are recommended by some prescribers in response to a diagnosis or presumption of " low testosterone " ( low-T ) for cardiovascular health , sexual function , muscle weakness or wasting , mood and behavior , and cognition .
Adverse events associated with testosterone administration.
BACKGROUND Testosterone supplementation has been shown to increase muscle mass and strength in healthy older men . The safety and efficacy of testosterone treatment in older men who have limitations in mobility have not been studied . METHODS Community-dwelling men , 65 years of age or older , with limitations in mobility and a total serum testosterone level of 100 to 350 ng per deciliter ( 3.5 to 12.1 nmol per liter ) or a free serum testosterone level of less than 50 pg per milliliter ( 173 pmol per liter ) were r and omly assigned to receive placebo gel or testosterone gel , to be applied daily for 6 months . Adverse events were categorized with the use of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities classification . The data and safety monitoring board recommended that the trial be discontinued early because there was a significantly higher rate of adverse cardiovascular events in the testosterone group than in the placebo group . RESULTS A total of 209 men ( mean age , 74 years ) were enrolled at the time the trial was terminated . At baseline , there was a high prevalence of hypertension , diabetes , hyperlipidemia , and obesity among the participants . During the course of the study , the testosterone group had higher rates of cardiac , respiratory , and dermatologic events than did the placebo group . A total of 23 subjects in the testosterone group , as compared with 5 in the placebo group , had cardiovascular-related adverse events . The relative risk of a cardiovascular-related adverse event remained constant throughout the 6-month treatment period . As compared with the placebo group , the testosterone group had significantly greater improvements in leg-press and chest-press strength and in stair climbing while carrying a load . CONCLUSIONS In this population of older men with limitations in mobility and a high prevalence of chronic disease , the application of a testosterone gel was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events . The small size of the trial and the unique population prevent broader inferences from being made about the safety of testosterone therapy . ( Clinical Trials.gov number , NCT00240981 .
Testosterone supplementation did not show consistent benefit for cardiovascular risk , sexual function , mood and behavior , or cognition .
Studies that examined clinical cardiovascular endpoints have not favored testosterone therapy over placebo .
Testosterone is ineffective in treating erectile dysfunction and controlled trials did not show a consistent effect on libido .
Testosterone supplementation consistently increased muscle strength but did not have beneficial effects on physical function .
Most studies on mood-related endpoints found no beneficial effect of testosterone treatment on personality , psychological well-being , or mood .
Testosterone products are recommended by some prescribers in response to a diagnosis or presumption of " low testosterone " ( low-T ) for cardiovascular health , sexual function , muscle weakness or wasting , mood and behavior , and cognition .