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By David Van Horn, HealthAtoZ contributing writer
Is testosterone man's best friend? Used irresponsibly in the form of anabolic steroids or steroid supplements, this important male sex hormone can cause liver cancer, heart attacks and impotence.
But studies have shown that low-dose, medically supervised therapy for men with testosterone deficiency (a condition called hypogonadism) can have psychological and physical benefits. A study published by the American Heart Association has suggested that testosterone may even be good for an older man's heart.
A study of 46 men (average age 62) with chronic chest pain and low testosterone levels found that those who used testosterone patches were able to exercise longer on a treadmill. The same men also reported that they felt better and were able to deal with their pain better, according to the study, which was published in Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association.
The study, conducted in England, could not explain how hormone replacement worked in older men with angina, but researchers suggested that low doses of testosterone might relax blood vessels and boost a person's mood, energy level and strength.
"We've always had a love-hate relationship with men and testosterone. It's a very tricky issue," says Richard Stein, M.D., a cardiologist and spokesman for the American Heart Association. He is also chief of cardiology at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, and professor of medicine at the State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn.
Testosterone deficiency and treatment
Men produce testosterone naturally in their testicles, but its secretion declines with age, though less than estrogen in women. The symptoms of testosterone deficiency in older men can be hard to distinguish from the signs of "getting older," according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology. Check with your health care provider if you have these symptoms:
Hypogonadism is diagnosed with a blood test, and is often found during infertility testing since lack of sperm can be an indication of the condition. It affects 4 million to 5 million men, but only five percent receive testosterone therapy through injections or a skin patch. Abnormally low levels of testosterone can increase a man's risk of developing osteoporosis, according to AACE.
Studies have concluded that testosterone replacement in older men has the following benefits:
More energy and increased sexual desire Better feelings of wellness and friendliness, and reduced feelings of anger, irritability and nervousness Decrease in body fat, and increases in lean body mass, muscle size and strength
Testosterone has also been used to treat weight problems in HIV-infected women, writes Wayne Hellstrom, M.D., of the Tulane University Medical Center, in the Digital Urology Journal.
However, testosterone therapy should be avoided if you have, or suspect you have, breast or prostate cancer, because the treatment can spur rapid growth of these tumors. Men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy) should also avoid testosterone treatments, Hellstrom writes. Sleep apnea and a reduction in HDL (good) cholesterol levels are other possible side effects.
Based on the study results from England, Stein says more clinical investigations are needed to determine whether low doses of testosterone can benefit male heart patients. "We should not ignore the benefits. We should learn the benefits and use them responsibly," he says.
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External Sources
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American Heart Association
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American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
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American College of Endocrinology
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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