Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men May Lower Cardiovascular Risk

Risk of cardiovascular events was low among men who used testosterone replacement therapy for androgen deficiency, reveals study.

Highlights

Lower levels of testosterone hormone may cause androgen deficiency.
Testosterone replacement therapy is used for androgen deficiency in men.
A recent study finds lowered risk of cardiovascular events among men who used testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy used for treating symptoms of androgen deficiency in men can lower the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke by 33% when compared to those who did not receive any hormone therapy, reveals study.

The findings of the study were published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

‘Testosterone replacement therapy in men was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke.’

Lower levels of sex hormones especially testosterone may cause androgen deficiency in men. Symptoms may include loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, enlargement of the breasts, hot flashes, reduced energy, irritability and depressed mood.

The decline in the level of the sex hormone may begin in the early 30s. It is estimated that about 200 men under the age of 60 had testosterone levels below normal, and two out of 10 men over the age of 60 have low levels.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can be used to treat symptoms related to androgen deficiency. This can be given in the form of injections, or can be taken either orally or topically.

Testosterone Deficiency and Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is an anabolic steroid hormone of the androgen group. It is secreted by the testes in males and is the chief male sex hormone.

T. Craig Cheetam, PharmD, MS, lead authors, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation, said, "Our study found no indication of an increased risk for cardiovascular events for men with androgen deficiency."

"Our hope is that these findings help alleviate the concerns that patients with androgen deficiency and their doctors may have had about prescribing and taking testosterone replacement therapy."

How Testosterone Affects Human Behaviour
A researcher has shed light on how testosterone affects human behavior in a 'pro-social' situation - an environment where it is beneficial for a person to help someone else.

Research Study
The research study evaluated 44,335 men who were diagnosed with androgen deficiency from Kaiser Permanente medical centers in the Northern and Southern California between January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2010.

Out of these 44,335 men, around 8,808 men were treated with testosterone therapy and 35,527 men were never dispensed with testosterone.

Male Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life Impaired by Low Testosterone
A new study has found, male cancer survivors who develop testosterone deficiency after receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, have an impaired quality of life and reduced energy levels.

Study Findings
After a period of 3.4 years the research team found,

Men who did not receive testosterone had 10.2% risk of heart attack, stroke during the study period.
Men who received testosterone replacement therapy had only 8.2% risk of heart attack or stroke during the study period.

Androgen Deficiency
Androgen deficiency is caused by genetic disorders, damage to the testes, medical problems or pituitary glands

Symptoms of Androgen Deficiency

Low energy levels
Changes in the mood
Poor concentration
Irritability
Reduced muscle strength
Low sex drive

Reference

Low testosterone - ( https://www.andrologyaustralia.org/your-health/testosterone/ )

Source-Medindia