Hormonal
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) improves sexual function, libido, bone mineral density, muscle mass, mood, and cognition in men with documented hypogonadism, provided symptoms and low serum testosterone levels are present.
If you are an older man experiencing low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, or mood changes, do not assume these are just signs of aging. Get your testosterone levels checked, especially if you have symptoms. If both your levels are low and you have symptoms, TRT may improve your quality of life, sexual function, and bone health. However, it is not a magic bullet for physical function or falls, and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Restoring testosterone levels to within the normal range by using testosterone replacement therapy can improve many of the effects of hypogonadism. Most importantly, these include beneficial effects on mood, energy levels and patients’ sense of well-being, sexual function, lean body mass and muscle strength, erythropoiesis and bone mineral density (BMD), cognition and some benefits on cardiovascular risk factors.
Why this rating
The paper is a review citing mixed results from randomized controlled trials and observational studies, noting that large-scale long-term studies are lacking.
Source
The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review
John E. Morley · Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management · 2009
DOI 10.2147/tcrm.s3025
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →