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 .
Effects of aromatase inhibition vs. testosterone in older men with low testosterone: randomized‐controlled trial
Aging in men is associated with loss of bone mass , impaired physical function and altered body composition . The objective of this proof‐of‐concept r and omized , double‐blind , placebo‐controlled , parallel‐group , single‐center trial was to determine the relative effects of testosterone ( T ) and estradiol ( E2 ) on bone mineral density , body composition , and physical performance in older men . The primary outcome was lumbar spine bone mineral density ( BMD ) , and secondary outcomes were body composition , muscle strength , gait speed , and sex hormone concentrations . Forty three men ( age range , 65–82 years ; mean age 71 years ) with low total T levels < 350 ng/dL were r and omized to one of three groups : 5 g transdermal testosterone gel ( TT ) ( N = 16 ) , anastrozole ( AI ) 1 mg ( N = 14 ) or placebo daily ( N = 13 ) for 12 months . Outcomes were assessed at baseline , 3 , 6 , and 12 months . Both TT and AI increased serum TT levels ( > 500 ng/dL , p < 0.05 ) compared to baseline ; T values remained stable throughout the duration of the trial . At 12 months , TT improved the primary outcome of lumbar spine BMD ( p < 0.01).Both interventions improved knee strength at 12 months compared to baseline ( p < 0.05 ) while lean body mass significantly increased only in the AI group at 6 and 12 months ( 1.49 ± 0.38 kg , p < 0.01 ; 1.24 ± 0.39 kg , p < 0.05 , respectively ) compared to baseline . Interestingly , TT improved fast gait speed at 3 and 12 months ( p < 0.01 , p < 0.05 , respectively ) . In summary , this proof‐of‐concept study confirms that aromatization of T is required for maintaining BMD in older men with low‐T levels . The trial also uncovered the novel finding that aromatization of T is required for improvement in fast gait speed , an observation that needs to be verified in future studies
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 .