Hormonal
Testosterone treatment in older men with low testosterone increases volumetric bone mineral density and estimated bone strength, but does not significantly improve areal bone mineral density.
If you are an older man with confirmed low testosterone, testosterone therapy can significantly improve your bone density and bone strength, particularly in the spine. The treatment involves daily application of a gel, with dose adjustments to keep levels in the normal range for young men. While long-term safety requires more data, this study found no increase in cardiovascular or prostate issues over one year.
In the 211 men in the Bone Trial, testosterone treatment for 1 year increased vBMD of trabecular bone in the spine by 6.8% more than did placebo (P < 0.001) and increased the estimated bone strength of trabecular bone in the spine by 8.5% more than did placebo (P # 0.001)... Increases in aBMD were smaller.
Why this rating
Based on a large, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial with clear and substantial effects on volumetric bone mineral density and bone strength.
Source
Lessons From the Testosterone Trials
Peter J. Snyder et al. · Endocrine Reviews · 2018
DOI 10.1210/er.2017-00234
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