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Cited by 768Hormonal and reproductive studiesAdrenal Hormones and DisordersMenopause: Health Impacts and Treatments

Effects of testosterone supplementation in the aging male

Tenover, J. S.·1992·Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
DOI 10.1210/jc.75.4.1092
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Abstract

Serum androgen levels decline with aging in normal males, such that a significant number of men over 60 yr of age will have a mean serum total testosterone (T) level near the low end of the normal adult range. It is not known whether lower T levels in older men have an effect on androgen-responsive organ systems, such as muscle, bone, bone marrow, and prostate, nor are there data to evaluate the relative benefits and risks of T supplementation in older men. We assessed the physiological and biochemical effects of T therapy in 13 healthy men, 57-76 yr old, who had low or borderline low serum T levels (< or = 13.9 nmol/L). Intramuscular testosterone enanthate (TE; 100 mg weekly) and placebo injections were given for 3 months each. Before treatment and at the end of both 3-month treatment regimens, lean body mass, body fat, biochemical parameters of bone turnover, hematological parameters, lipoprotein profiles, and prostate parameters [such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] were evaluated. Serum T levels rose in all subjects with TE treatment, such that the lowest level of T during a week's period was 19.7 +/- 0.7 nmol/L (mean +/- SE). After 3 months of TE treatment, lean body mass was significantly increased, and urinary hydroxyproline excretion was significantly depressed. With TE treatment, there was a significant increase in hematocrit, a decline in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a sustained increase in serum PSA levels. Placebo treatment led to no significant changes in any of these parameters. We conclude that short term (3 months) TE supplementation to healthy older men who have serum T levels near or below the lower limit of normal for young adult men results in an increase in lean body mass and possibly a decline in bone resorption, as assessed by urinary hydroxyproline excretion, with some effect on serum lipoproteins, hematological parameters, and PSA. The sustained stimulation of PSA and the increase in hematocrit that occur with physiological TE supplementation suggest that older men should be screened carefully and followed periodically throughout T therapy.

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  • Upon testosterone administration, fat mass decreases and lean body mass increases, with total body weight often but not always showing no major changes.

    “Upon testosterone administration there is a decrease in fat mass and an increase in lean body mass and the net result is often, but not always, that total body weight does not show major changes.”

    From Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved (2011) · cites this paper as [30]

  • Most studies report that testosterone therapy causes reductions in HDL cholesterol, although this effect is absent or less apparent in elderly, hypogonadal, or obese men.

    “Most studies report that testosterone therapy causes reductions in HDL cholesterol, 18 19 although this effect is absent or less apparent in elderly, hypogonadal, or obese men.20 21”

    From Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men with angina improves ischaemic threshold and quality of life (2004) · cites this paper as [20]

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Authors
Tenover, J. S.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Publisher
The Endocrine Society
Published
1992-10-01
Volume
75
Issue
4
Pages
1092-1098
ISSN
0021-972X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1210/jc.75.4.1092
OpenAlex
W2005904869
Cited by
768
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 19
FWCI
11.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5k08ag000411-02)
  • National Institute on Aging (K08AG00411)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK-35816, P30DK035816)
  • National Center for Research Resources (RR 37)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
Keywords
testosterone supplementation, older men, testosterone enanthate, androgen deficiency, lean body mass, bone resorption, urinary hydroxyproline, hematocrit, lipoproteins, prostate-specific antigen, prostate
MeSH terms
Aged, Aging, Analysis of Variance, Body Composition, Double-Blind Method, Gonadotropins, Pituitary, Humans, Lipids, Male, Middle Aged, Prostate, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Testosterone, Bone Density

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