The effect of testosterone supplementation on BMD and the risk of falls or fracture remains inconclusive .
However , supplementation may benefit patients in the areas of sexual function and quality of life without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events , all-cause mortality , or prostatic events .
Testosterone deficiency ( TD ) may induce a series of clinical symptoms .
Studies have shown that testosterone supplementation may prevent these unfavourable symptoms and improve patients ’ quality of life .
Given the conflicting findings across studies , this systematic review aims to evaluate the effects and risks associated with testosterone supplementation in middle-aged or aging males with TD .
Testosterone therapy increased muscle mass and lipid oxidation in aging men
The indication for testosterone therapy in aging hypogonadal men without hypothalamic , pituitary , or testicular disease remains to be eluci date d. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of testosterone therapy on insulin sensitivity , substrate metabolism , body composition , and lipids in aging men with low normal bioavailable testosterone levels using a predefined cutoff level for bioavailable testosterone . A r and omized , double-blinded , placebo-controlled study of testosterone treatment ( gel ) was done on 38 men , aged 60–78 years , with bioavailable testosterone < 7.3 nmol/l and a waist circumference > 94 cm .  Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal ( Rd ) and substrate oxidation were assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps combined with indirect calorimetry . Lean body mass ( LBM ) and total fat mass ( TFM ) were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry , and serum total testosterone was measured by t and em mass spectrometry . Bioavailable testosterone was calculated . Coefficients ( b ) represent the placebo-controlled mean effect of intervention . LBM ( b = 1.9 kg , p = 0.003 ) increased while HDL – cholesterol ( b = −0.12 mmol/l , p = 0.043 ) and TFM decreased ( b = −1.2 kg , p = 0.038 ) in the testosterone group compared to placebo . Basal lipid oxidation ( b = 5.65 mg/min/m2 , p = 0.045 ) increased and basal glucose oxidation ( b = −9.71 mg/min/m2 , p = 0.046 ) decreased in response to testosterone therapy even when corrected for changes in LBM . No significant changes in insulin-stimulated Rd was observed ( b = −0.01mg/min/m2 , p = 0.92 ) . Testosterone therapy increased muscle mass and lipid oxidation in aging men with low normal bioavailable testosterone levels ; however , our data did not support an effect of testosterone on whole-body insulin sensitivity using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique
The effect of testosterone supplementation on BMD and the risk of falls or fracture remains inconclusive .
However , supplementation may benefit patients in the areas of sexual function and quality of life without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events , all-cause mortality , or prostatic events .
Testosterone deficiency ( TD ) may induce a series of clinical symptoms .
Studies have shown that testosterone supplementation may prevent these unfavourable symptoms and improve patients ’ quality of life .
Given the conflicting findings across studies , this systematic review aims to evaluate the effects and risks associated with testosterone supplementation in middle-aged or aging males with TD .