Studies Look Into Benefits, Risks Of Testosterone.

reports on four National Institute of Health-funded testosterone trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of 788 US men 65 or older who were randomly assigned to “rubbing testosterone gel on the skin daily for a year” or using a non-testosterone gel. At one year, those treated with testosterone showed no improvement in “memory or mental function,” but did show “increases in bone density and strength, especially in the spine,” and “reported having more energy,” while those with anemia “showed substantial improvement.” Those treated with testosterone also “had more plaque buildup and narrower arteries” at one year. CNN (2/21, Scutti) reports that Dr. Bradley Anawalt, a member of the Endocrine Society Leadership Council, said the Testosterone Trials “were necessary and important. There is too little known about the effects of testosterone on men’s health in general and in older men in particular.” Dr. Anawalt, who was not involved in the studies, praised the methodology of the trials. He stressed, however, “It is still essential to perform studies that are five or 10 years, or longer.” CNN points out that a separate study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found testosterone therapy was “associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events in men 40 or older over a period of about three years.” http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/21/health/testosterone-therapy-study/index.html