Are You Man Enough for Testosterone Supplements?: PreRetirementLife

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Are You Man Enough for Testosterone Supplements?

Hormone replacement therapy works for women, so men are interested, too.

Among the many ideas floating around for renewing feelings of youth, health, and vigor in aging men is the use of testosterone supplements. At first glance, the concept is certainly logical, especially at a time when many women are engaging in hormone replacement therapy. After all, if testosterone is the hormone that makes males grow from boys to men and also makes them strong and healthy, why not reapply it in later years to fend off the signs of aging? Studies show that a man of 70 may have just one-eighth the testosterone in his blood of a 20-year-old. With more than 100 kinds of synthesized testosterone available, supplementation treatment is becoming more prevalent, especially when at least one report says it "enhances sexual drive, heightens sexual performance, increases energy levels, enhances mood, and promotes bone and muscle growth."

STUDIES ARE INCONCLUSIVE

If only things were that simple. In early 2008, a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association threw cold water on testosterone supplementation. The Harvard Medical School study tested 207 men. "During the study, lean body mass increased and fat mass decreased in the testosterone group compared with the placebo group, but these factors were not accompanied by an increase of functional mobility or muscle strength. Cognitive function and bone mineral density did not change. Quality-of-life measures were no different except for one hormone-related quality-of-life measure that improved. No negative effects on prostate safety were detected." The study's conclusion: "Testosterone supplementation during six months to older men with a low normal testosterone concentration did not affect functional status or cognition." Another problem: side effects. Testosterone supplementation can lead to acne, baldness, breast enlargement, and an increased risk of some cancers.

POSSIBLE HEART BENEFITS
On the plus side, there's some indication that in addition to improving libido, testosterone may also reduce a man's risk for heart disease. In a small-scale British study, men with the highest levels of testosterone had a 30 percent lower risk of dying of heart disease compared to the men with lowest levels. This could be because testosterone can dilate arteries, leading to lower blood pressure, and the hormone may also lower the amount of calcium deposits in artery walls.

As is always the case with any potential move you make to alter your body's most basic biochemistry, you should certainly consult with an expert physician about the benefits and risks of any hormone replacement. With such a diversity of opinion about testosterone out there, it makes sense to proceed with caution.

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> September 26, 2008