The testosterone gel used in a series of trials assessing health effects.

In decades of research, scientists have found only one medical condition thats clearly and effectively treated with testosterone supplements: pathological hypogonadismthats low testosterone levels due to disease of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or testes.

But that hasnt stopped drug makers and the supplement industry from convincing men that jacking their testosterone will stave off the effects of aging. Getting old naturally lowers testosterone in the body. In efforts to combat Low T, testosterone sales sprung 10-fold in the US between 2000 and 2011.

In light of that trend, researchers are trying to get a handle on the health benefits of that beefed-up hormone consumption. So far, it looks wimpy.

In a series of placebo-controlled, randomized trials, researchers tracked the effect of testosterone on the cognition, bone health, anemia, and cardiovascular health of 788 men for a year. All the men were aged 65 or older and had low testosterone levels that couldnt be explained by anything other than age.

The results, reported Tuesday in JAMA and JAMA Internal Medicine, offer mixed results.

Among the 493 in the trial who also had age-related memory declines, testosterone didnt have any effect on memory or cognitive abilities. In the study, 247 got testosterone and 246 got a placebo.

But for cardiovascular health, there was an effecta bad one. Over the year,plaque buildup in the coronary arterywhich is a risk factor for heart diseaseincreased in 73 men on testosterone compared with 65 on placebo. However, other studies have found mixed results on this. Longer, bigger trials will be needed to sort out the risks.

In the anemia study, testosterone did seem to improve iron levels in men with mild anemia. The bone health study also showed that testosterone could improve bone density.

However, its unclear if those benefits outweigh the possible cardiovascular risks. And other drugs may be more effective at treating anemia and improving bone mass than testosterone.

In anaccompanying editorial, Dr. David Handelsman of the University of Sydney and Concord Hospital in Australia concluded that the overall findings do not materially change the unfavorable balance of safety and efficacy to initiate testosterone treatment for age-related hypogonadism. Thus, he added, the hopes for testosterone-led rejuvenation for older men are dimmed and disappointed if not yet finally dashed. But health experts and medical societies should revise guidelines and recommendation to best inform patients, he argued.

Testosterone misuse will not simply disappear for lack of logic or evidence as none was needed to get it startedrejuvenation fantasies thrive on hope without needing factsand educational efforts are essential.

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Studies show testosterone offers little benefits to aging men - Ars Technica

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