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 .
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of testosterone therapy for HIV-positive men with hypogonadal symptoms.
BACKGROUND The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of testosterone in alleviation of hypogonadal symptoms ( diminished libido , depressed mood , low energy , and depleted muscle mass ) in men with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus illness . METHODS Seventy-four patients were enrolled in a double-blind , placebo-controlled 6-week trial with bi-weekly testosterone injections , followed by 12 weeks of open-label maintenance treatment . Major outcome measures were Clinical Global Impressions Scale ratings for libido , mood , energy , and erectile function ; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores , and Chalder Fatigue Scale scores . Body composition changes were assessed with bioelectric impedance analysis . RESULTS Seventy men completed the 6-week trial . Response rates , defined as much or very much improved libido , were 74 % ( 28/38 ) for patients r and omized to testosterone , and 19 % ( 6/32 ) for placebo-treated patients ( P<.001 ) . Of the 62 completers with fatigue at baseline , 59 % ( 20/34 ) receiving testosterone and 25 % ( 7/28 ) receiving placebo reported improved energy ( P<.01 ) . Among the 26 completers with an Axis I depressive disorder at baseline , 58 % of the testosterone-treated patients reported improved mood compared with 14 % of placebo-treated patients ( Fisher exact test = .08 ) . With testosterone treatment , average increase in muscle mass over 12 weeks was 1.6 kg for the whole group , and 2.2 kg for the 14 men with wasting at baseline . Improvement on all parameters was maintained during subsequent open-label treatment for up to 18 weeks . CONCLUSION Testosterone is well tolerated and effective in the short-term treatment of symptoms of clinical hypogonadism in men with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus illness , restoring libido and energy , alleviating depressed mood , and increasing muscle mass
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 .