Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Testosterone Treatments: A Look into Scientific Findings
Revamped Take on the Testosterone Tango:
As guys hit their golden years, their testosterone levels inevitably drop. Some guys opt for artificial testosterone replacement to dodge related health issues. Recent studies delve into the possible side effects of this hormone replacement therapy.
JAMA and JAMA Internal Medicine published a slew of papers discussing testosterone treatment's impact on various health aspects. Four of these studies focused on sexual function, mood, bone density, and plaque buildup. The fifth observational study investigated the link between testosterone treatment and overall health.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, in partnership with 12 medical centers across the US, conducted seven clinical trials alongside the National Institute on Aging. Known as the Testosterone Trials (TTrials), these studies explored the impact of testosterone treatment on men aged 65 and above who displayed low testosterone levels.
The first three trials from TTrials demonstrated noticeable improvements in sexual function, mood, and overall well-being, which were published last year. The latest research from JAMA wraps up the study.
Testosterone: A Multifaceted Health Odyssey
The TTrials evaluated a grand total of 51,085 men, picking 790 participants with low testosterone levels that qualified them for the studies. These participants were randomly assigned either testosterone gel daily for a year or a placebo. Testosterone levels were maintained at normal young-adult levels.
The researchers assessed the treatment’s effectiveness every three months. The trials were double-blinded, ensuring neither the researchers nor the participants knew which group received the treatment or the placebo.
For the bone density and strength assessment, quantitative computed tomography was used to check spine and hip bone mineral density at the start and end of the trial.
To evaluate cognition, participants underwent a delayed paragraph recall test. Researchers also measured visual memory, executive function, and spatial ability.
To determine coronary artery plaque volume, coronary computed tomographic angiography was used.
The cardiovascular health study was observational, using Cox proportional hazard models to examine the connections between testosterone treatment and several cardiovascular health outcomes, including heart attacks, angina, strokes, transient ischemic attacks, and sudden cardiac death.
Testosterone: Bone Boost, Anemia Reprieve, but Potential Heart Hitch
The trials demonstrated that testosterone boosted bone mineral density and estimated bone strength. While larger-scale, longer trials are needed to assess if it might lower the risk of fractures, impossible to ignore is its impact on addressing anemia.
The treatment rectified both anemia of unknown origin and anemia caused by iron deficiency. However, it did not seem to improve memory or any other aspect of cognitive functioning.
Lastly, the cardiovascular health study revealed increased plaque buildup in the coronary arteries of testosterone-treated men compared with the placebo group. However, larger studies are required to fully grasp the clinical significance of these findings.
Dr. Peter J. Snyder, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, advises that the findings suggest the treatment may pose a cardiovascular risk. While the increase in plaque volume in the coronary arteries is concerning, he stresses that the total number of major cardiovascular adverse events in testosterone-treated men was comparable to that observed in the control group.
Further testosterone treatments should strike a balance between benefits and risks, with final decisions depending on the results from larger, longer-term studies set to assess cardiovascular and prostate risks in the future.
Dive Deeper: Testosterone Therapy and Blood Clots
While testosterone therapy can yield significant advantages, it’s vital to monitor its effects under medical guidance to counter potential risks. Learn about the potential risks here.
- The latest research from JAMA, wrapping up the Testosterone Trials (TTrials), indicates that testosterone treatment in men aged 65 and above with low testosterone levels might improve sexual function, mood, and overall well-being, but it could potentially increase plaque buildup in coronary arteries, a finding that requires further investigation in larger, longer-term studies.
- In the context of men's health and health-and-wellness, science has delved into the possible side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, with recent studies focusing on its impact on various health aspects, including sexual function, mood, bone density, plaque buildup, and overall health.
- The Testosterone Trials, a collaborative effort between the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine and 12 medical centers across the US, revealed that testosterone therapy successfully boosted bone mineral density and addressed anemia, but it didn't seem to improve memory or any other aspect of cognitive functioning, suggesting a need for careful consideration of benefits and potential risks, particularly regarding cardiovascular health.
