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 .
Clinical meaningfulness of the changes in muscle performance and physical function associated with testosterone administration in older men with mobility limitation.
CONTEXT Testosterone in Older Men with Mobility Limitations Trial determined the effects of testosterone on muscle performance and physical function in older men with mobility limitation . Trial 's Data and Safety Monitoring Board recommended enrollment cessation due to increased frequency of adverse events in testosterone arm . The changes in muscle performance and physical function were evaluated in relation to participant 's perception of change . METHODS Men aged 65 years and older , with mobility limitation , total testosterone 100 - 350 ng/dL , or free testosterone less than 50 pg/mL , were r and omized to placebo or 10 g testosterone gel daily for 6 months . Primary outcome was leg-press strength . Secondary outcomes included chest-press strength , stair-climb , 40-m walk , muscle mass , physical activity , self-reported function , and fatigue . Proportions of participants exceeding minimally important difference in study arms were compared . RESULTS Of 209 r and omized participants , 165 had follow-up efficacy measures . Mean ( SD ) age was 74 ( 5.4 ) years and short physical performance battery score 7.7 ( 1.4 ) .  Testosterone arm exhibited greater improvements in leg-press strength , chest-press strength and power , and loaded stair-climb than placebo . Compared with placebo , significantly greater proportion of men receiving testosterone improved their leg-press and chest-press strengths ( 43 % vs 18 % , p = .01 ) and stair-climbing power ( 28 % vs 10 % , p = .03 ) more than minimally important difference . Increases in leg-press strength and stair-climbing power were associated with changes in testosterone levels and muscle mass . Physical activity , walking speed , self-reported function , and fatigue did not change . CONCLUSIONS Testosterone administration in older men with mobility limitation was associated with patient-important improvements in muscle strength and stair-climbing power . Improvements in muscle strength and only some physical function measures should be weighed against the risk of adverse events in this population
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 .