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 .
The use of a transscrotal testosterone delivery system in the treatment of patients with weight loss related to human immunodeficiency virus infection.
PURPOSE Weight loss is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients . Men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS ) lose body cell mass . Hypogonadism is also common . This study tested the efficacy of a testosterone transscrotal patch ( 6 mg/day ) in improving body cell mass and treating hypogonadism in these patients . SUBJECTS AND METHODS This multicenter , r and omized , double-blinded , placebo-controlled trial was conducted from August 1995 to October 1996 in 133 men , 18 years of age and older , who had AIDS , 5 % to 20 % weight loss , and either a low morning serum total testosterone level ( < 400 ng/dL ) or a low free testosterone level ( < 16 pg/mL ) . Outcomes included weight , body cell mass as measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis , quality of life , and morning measurements of serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels , lymphocyte subsets , and HIV quantification . RESULTS There were no significant differences in baseline weight , CD4 cell counts , or HIV serum viral quantification between treatment arms . Morning total and free testosterone levels increased in those treated with testosterone , but not with placebo . Following 12 weeks of treatment there were no differences ( testosterone-placebo ) in mean weight change ( -0.3 kg [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : -1.4 to 0.8 ] ) or body cell mass ( -0.2 kg [ 95 % CI : -1.0 to 0.6 ] ) in the two groups . There were also no changes in quality of life in either group . CONCLUSION Hypogonadal men with AIDS and weight loss can achieve adequate morning serum sex hormone levels using a transscrotal testosterone patch . However , this system of replacement does not improve weight , body cell mass , or quality of life
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 .