Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Old Hypogonadal Males: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Objective To examine the effects of testosterone administration to older hypogonadal males (bioavailable testosterone less than 70 ng/dL). Design Alternate‐case controlled trial. Setting St. Louis University. Patients Eight males (mean age 77.6 ± 2.3 years) who received testosterone and six males (mean age 76 ± 2.3 years) who served as controls. Selected from alumni of the SHEP trial and attendees at the St. Louis University Impotence Clinic. Interventions Testosterone enanthate (200 mg/mL) was administered intramuscularly to the treatment group every 2 weeks for 3 months. Measurements Serum testosterone, bioavailable testerone and estradiol, weight, % body fat, right hand muscle strength, balance, cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, hematocrit, BUN, creatinine, albumin, calcium, PTH, 25(OH) vitamin D, 1,25 (OH)₂ vitamin D, osteocalcin, prostate‐specific antigen, and fructosamine. Results Males who received testosterone had a significant increase in testosterone and bioavailable testosterone concentration, hematocrit, right hand muscle strength and osteocalcin concentration. They had a decrease in cholesterol (without a change in HDL‐cholesterol) levels and decreased BUN/Creatinine ratios. Conclusion These preliminary findings support the need for long term studies of testosterone therapy in older hypogonadal males.