Male Testosterone Replacement, Benefits and Risks

Male Testosterone Replacement, Benefits and Risks

by Jeffrey Dach MD

Low Testosterone Associated with Increased Mortality of Forty Percent

Three studies show low testosterone is associated with increased mortality. In 2006, Dr. Molly M. Shores found low testosterone below 250 ng/dL is associated with almost doubled mortality rate. 858 male veterans were followed for 8 years. Those with normal testosterone levels had a mortality rate of 20.1 %. However those with low testosterone had a mortality rate of 35.9%. This is almost twice the mortality rate of normal males. (1)

Upper Left Image: Arnold Schwarzenegger 1974 courtesy of wikimedia commons.

Left chart from Arch Int Med 2006 Molly Shores (1) Low Testosterone group (Green Line) had highest mortality rate, almost double that of normal males.

Second Study

In 2008 Dr. Gail A. Laughlin from California measured testosterone in 800 men, 50-91 years old and followed the men for 20 years. Low testosterone symptoms included decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, loss of strength, decrease in bone density and decreased muscle mass. Men with low testosterone tended to be overweight or obese, and at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Men with the lowest testosterone, below 241 ng/dl, were 40% more likely to die. Dr. Gail A. Laughlin writes:

During an average 11.8-yr follow-up, 538 deaths occurred. Men whose total testosterone levels were in the lowest quartile (<241 ng/dl) were 40% more likely to die than those with higher levels, (2)

Third Study by Dr. Malkin

A third study published by Dr Malkin in Heart 2010 showed that men with known coronary artery disease commonly had low testosterone levels which was associated with almost double the mortality rate compared with men with normal levels. (6)

Dr Malkin writes: “Excess mortality was noted in the androgen-deficient group compared with normal (88 vs. 41 ) or (21% vs. 12%). (6)

Diabetics with Low Testosterone Have Increased Mortality

In 2013, Dr.Vakkat Muraleedharan studied the effect of testosterone replacement in 581 males with type 2 diabetes followed for 6 years. 343 patients had normal Testosterone levels >300 ng/dL. 238 patients had low testosterone <300 ng/dl.

Of the 64 men treated with testosterone, most were treated with testosterone gel (85%) and lesser number 15% with injections. The group with low testosterone had increased mortality rate of 17.2% compared to 9% mortality in the normal testosterone group. The effect of testosterone treatment (n=64) was decreased mortality rate of 8.4% compared to the higher mortality of 19.2% for the untreated low testosterone group (n=174). (see chart below) Dr.Vakkat Muraleedharan writes:

Conclusions: Low testosterone levels predict an increase in all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up. Testosterone replacement may improve survival in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes.(13)

Above image: Mortality rate In Diabetic Males with Normal Testosterone (TT), Low testosterone untreated, and Low testosterone treated. Note the increased mortality in Low Testosterone (Low TT) untreated group. Mortality rate improves after testosterone treatment, similar to normal testosterone males (Normal TT and Low TT Treated).(13)

Reduction in Mortality with Testosterone Replacement

In 2012 Dr. Molly Shores studied 1031 male veterans followed over 5 years showeing men with low testosterone had 20% mortality. However if they were treated with Testosterone replacement, mortality was reduced in half to 10%. (14)

In 2015, Dr. Rishi Sharma conducted a retrospective 15 year study of 83,010 male veterans with documented low Testosterone (TT) levels. The low T males were compared their treated counterparts, males with low testosterone levels treated with testosterone replacement to achieve normal levels (Treated Group). In the Treated Group, all-cause mortality was reduced 56%, myocardial infarction reduced 24%, stroke reduced 36%. Dr. Rishi Sharma concludes:

In this large observational cohort with extended follow-up, normalization of TT [testosterone] levels after TRT [testosterone replacement threrapy] was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, MI, and stroke. (12)

Dr Haider – Men With Cardiovascular Disease and Low T

In 2016, Dr. Ahmad Haider conducted an observational registry study of 77 men with low testosterone, and known underlying cardiovascular disease. The 77 men were treated with long acting testosterone injections every 3 months and followed for 11 years. Not only were no cardiovascular events in this Testosterone treated group, various cardiovascular risk parameters were improved. Here is a quote from Dr. Ahmad Haider:

Over 8 years, the men experienced weight loss (from 114 kg to 91 kg), decreased waist circumference (112 cm to 99 cm), decreased BMI from 37 to 29. Cardio-metabolic parameters such as lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse pressure all improved significantly and sustainably. No patient suffered a major adverse cardiovascular event during the full observation time. Testosterone therapy …. may be effective as an add-on treatment for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in testosterone deficient men with a history of cardiovascular disease.” (30) Note: TD=testosterone deficiency, TTh=Testosterone Therapy.

Here is an other quote from Dr Ahmad Haider:(8)

Mortality in men with TD [tesoterone deficiency] was reduced subsequent to TTh [testosteone therapy]. [Molly] Shores et al. demonstrated that mortality in T-treated men was 10.3% compared with 20.7% in untreated hypogonadal men (P<0.0001). Muraleedharan et al. demonstrated, in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, reduced mortality of 8.4% in men receiving TTh compared with 19.2% in untreated men. These findings are consistent with several studies summarized by Morgentaler et al. CV [cardiovascular] benefits of TTh have been shown in interventional studies, including benefits in men with congestive heart failure, cardiac ischemia/angina, including a reduction in carotid intima–media thickness. Most studies identified an inverse association between serum T concentration and all-cause or CV mortality. (30)

Testosterone Therapy Reduces Cardiovascular Risk

In 2021, Dr. Xiao Zhang in Germany did a a prospective cohort study using data from 602 hypogonadism men without cardiovascular disease, age range of 31–74 years and a follow-up duration of up to 12 years. In the treatment group were 325 men who decided on testosterone therapy. The remaining 277 men were in the control group. Dr. Xiao Zhang writes:

After propensity score matching, there were 232 participants in the treatment group and 212 participants in the control group. Forty-five CVD events were in the control group, and 0 events were in the treatment group. The incidence in the control group is 0.00219 whereas that in the treatment group is 0 (Table 3). The difference is statistically significant (Fisher’s exact, p < 0.0001). In the post hoc analysis, we also examined all-cause mortality in the two groups (Table 4), and we found that the control group has a significantly higher mortality rate [14%]as compared with the treatment group [2%]. (23)

Note:Two year all cause mortality was 5 men (2%) in the Testosterone Treated group and 30 (14%) men in the control (untreated group).

Unfounded Fears of Testosterone Replacement

In 2016, Drs. Traish and Morgentaler debunk the two unfounded fears regarding testosterone therapy in androgen deficient males.(7-13)

The first unfounded fear is the false medical myth that testosterone therapy somehow causes prostate cancer. This has been shown to be false. The second unfounded fear is that testosterone somehow increases cardiovascular disease. Not only is this false, the exact opposite is true. Testosterone therapy in androgen deficient males decreases cardiovascular mortality in numerous studies. Dr. Traish makes the plea to the medical community to treat more androgen deficient men. Dr. Traish writes:

we believe that there is considerable scientific and clinical evidence to suggest that testosterone therapy is safe and effective with restoration of physiological levels in men with testosterone deficiency, irrespective of its etiology….TD [Testosterone Deficiency] is associated with increased incidence of metabolic syndrome, obesity, sexual dysfunction, impaired fertility, reduced motivation, increased fatigue, depressed mood, loss of bone and muscle mass, anemia, decreased energy and vigour, insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation, dyslipidemia, sarcopenia and frailty, reduced quality of life (QoL) and increased mortality… A substantial body of evidence indicates that coronary artery disease incidence and severity… is inversely correlated with serum T [Testosterone] concentrations. There is an urgent need among the medical community for greater awareness of the impact of TD on general health in men with TD.(7-8)

The FDA Position on Age Related Low Testosterone

In 2021, Dr. Abdulmaged M. Traish writes in his article, “Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency Merits Treatment”, his disagreement with the FDA position on treating age related testosterone deficiency :

The negative effects of testosterone deficiency (TD) on human health and quality of life are well demonstrated, including signs, symptoms, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and increased mortality. Recently, substantial evidence emerged, demonstrating the benefits of testosterone therapy in men with classical and “age-related” hypogonadism. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposes testosterone therapy in men with age-related hypogonadism but not in men with classical hypogonadism. The FDA acknowledges that TD [Testosterone Deficiency] merits treatment, but the FDA made an artificial distinction between diagnoses where T [testosterone] treatment is warranted and others where the underlying diagnosis is unknown, and treatment is unwarranted. The FDA labeled the unknown category as “age-related.” Since the FDA is unable to demonstrate that one group differs in benefits or risks from the other, there are no bases for this distinction. This action by the FDA is not based on scientific or clinical evidence. There is no evidence that the response to testosterone therapy of “age-related” hypogonadism occurs via different physiological or biochemical mechanisms than those historically recognized conditions. Also, there is no evidence that “age-related” hypogonadism responds less well to testosterone therapy than “classical” hypogonadism. More importantly, there is no scientific or clinical evidence to suggest that the risks of testosterone therapy in men with “age-related” hypogonadism are worse or different for men with “classical” hypogonadism. For these reasons, we disagree with the FDA position on testosterone therapy in age-related hypogonadism.(16)

In 2021, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler agrees with Dr. Traish writing:

The FDA is a critically important government institution… Yet it must be emphasized that its role is to regulate the pharmaceutical industry, and not health care providers. It bears emphasis that the FDA is not involved with the practice of medicine. Yet the medical community and insurance companies pay close attention to the FDA’s positions, and insurance companies frequently restrict coverage based on FDA labels, especially if it helps their bottom line. … it is to be hoped that the entirety of the scientific community, including the FDA, will soon come to recognize the importance of TTh [Testosterone Therapy] not only for its symptomatic benefits in men with age-related TD [Testosterone Deficiency] , but also for its impact on general health. (18)

Age Specific Reference Ranges for Testosterone

In 2022, Dr. Alex Zhu analyzed testosterone levels of men 20 to 44 years old from the 2011-2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, finding normal range based on age. The low end of each range is the age specific cutoff for determining treatment:

409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old),
413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old),
359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old),
352-478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and
350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old).
(19)

Risks Associated with Testosterone Replacement

Elevated Hematocrit from Testosterone

Testosterone increases the hematocrit, commonly treated with phlebotomy. In 2022, Dr. Aksam Yassin studied hematocrit levels in 737 hypogonadal males over an 8 year follow up period. 353 of the 737 men were treated with testosterone undecanoate injection, and the remaining 384 men served as controls. Dr. Aksam Yassin found increased hematocrit up to 52% was associated with decreased mortality. A hematocrit of 54% is the threshold for testosterone dose reduction or therapeutic phlebotomy. Despite the increased hematocrit in males on testosterone, Dr. Aksam Yassin found no increased risk for venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, nor increase in mortality. Dr. Aksam Yassin writes:

The present study showed that increased hematocrit (up to 52% at final assessment) was independently associated with reduced mortality. This confirms the current clinical guidelines recommendation of using 54% as a threshold for change in management of men receiving testosterone therapy (e.g. dose reduction or therapeutic phlebotomy)…. another long-term real-world evidence study, in which treatment with testosterone undecanoate injection for 10 years increased hematocrit by 3.6%…Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials which showed that despite a higher incidence of elevated hematocrit in men receiving testosterone therapy compared to placebo, no difference in clinical adverse events were reported. The present study provides reassurance regarding the safety of testosterone therapy, and suggests that long-term TTh [testosterone therapy] can reduce mortality even in the context of relatively high hematocrit levels. Support for this comes from other long-term real-world evidence studies showing that despite increases in hematocrit, there was no increased risk for venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, or mortality.(24)

In 2022, Dr. Jesse Ory did a registry observational study of 2 cohorts of men with low testosterone (total testosterone <350 ng/dl) who received Testosterone Therapy (TT). About 6,000 men developed elevated blood count (polycythemia). These were matched with another 6,000 men who maintained a normal blood count (no polycytemia) while on testosterone. There was slightly higher risk for MACE/VTE (major adverse cardiac event/ Venous thrombitic event) in the polycythemia patients (5.15% vs 3.87%) Dr. Jesse Ory writes:

Men with polycythemia had a higher risk of MACE/VTE (number of outcomes: 301, 5.15%) than men who had normal hematocrit (226, 3.87%) while on TT .(31)

For men without polycythemia while on testosterone, there was no increased risk of MACE/VTE compared to low T males not taking testosterone. These finding suggest polycythemia (high hematocrit) while on testosterone should be treated with either reduction in dosage, or therapeutic phlebotomy.(31)

Transfer of Topical Testosterone Gels to Spouse

There is a potential for transfer of topical testosterone to a spouse or partner when intimate contact is made after application, so care is advised to avoid this adverse effect. In 2009, Dr. de Ronde writes:

Several case reports and the results of clinical trials indicate that transfer of testosterone from gel-treated males to women and children is possible and clinically relevant. Thus, the potential of testosterone transfer in gel users should be recognized as a possible side effect of this form of testosterone replacement therapy.(25)

Adverse Effects of Testosterone Excess

Testosterone excess is associated with deleterious cardiovascular effects. In 2018, by Dr. Sarah Doleeb reported a case testosterone induced cardiomyopathy in a 53 year old body builder admitted to the hospital with left ventricular ejection fraction of 15% (normal= 55%), and a testosterone level of thirty thousand ! (30,160 ng/dL, normal 280–1100 ng/dL). The cardiomyopathy was reversible. Six months after stopping the testosterone injections, the testosterone level was normal 603.7 ng/dL, and the ejection fraction had returned to normal (54%) as well. Dr. Sarah Doleeb writes:

Animal studies have demonstrated that exogenous AAS [anabolic androgen steroids] administration has deleterious cardiovascular effects including indirect neurohormonal activation and direct androgenic receptor stimulation resulting in hypertension, myocyte hypertrophy and extracellular fibrosis, apoptotic cell death, premature coronary artery disease, and arrhythmogenesis. 9 Multiple reports of exogenous AAS [anabolic androgen steroids] have been linked with adverse cardiovascular outcome in humans, and long‐term testosterone use may lead to hypertension10 and stroke, cardiac diastolic and systolic dysfunction,2 coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and sudden death. (26)

For the above reasons, it is prudent to consult a knowledgeable physician who can follow the patient with serial laboratory studies, and avoid testosterone excess.

Conclusion: Because of unfounded fears, many males with low Testosterone do not seek treatment. And for those who seek treatment, many are ignored or denied treatment by mainstream medicine. This is a modern day medical tragedy. Testosterone replacement reduces mortality, and improves quality of life. (4-13)

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Road Suite 190
Davie, Florida 33314
954-792-4663
https://jeffreydachmd.com

Articles with Related Interest:

All Testosterone Articles by Jeffrey Dach MD

Low Testosterone – Diagnosis and Treatment

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

All Studies by Dr. Karim Sultan Haider

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Road Suite 190
Davie, Florida 33314
954-792-4663
https://jeffreydachmd.com/
http://www.drdach.com/
http://www.naturalmedicine101.com/
http://www.truemedmd.com/
http://www.bioidenticalhormones101.com/

Links and References

1) Shores, Molly M., et al. “Low serum testosterone and mortality in male veterans.” Archives of internal medicine 166.15 (2006): 1660-1665.

We used a clinical database to identify men older than 40 years with repeated testosterone levels obtained from October 1, 1994, to December 31, 1999, and without diagnosed prostate cancer. A low testosterone level was a total testosterone level of less than 250 ng/dL (<8.7 nmol/L) or a free testosterone level of less than 0.75 ng/dL (<0.03 nmol/L). Men were classified as having a low testosterone level (166 [19.3%]), an equivocal testosterone level (equal number of low and normal levels) (240 [28.0%]), or a normal testosterone level (452 [52.7%]). The risk for all-cause mortality was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates over a follow-up of up to 8 years.

Results: Mortality in men with normal testosterone levels was 20.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.2%-24.1%) vs 24.6% (95% CI, 19.2%-30.0%) in men with equivocal testosterone levels and 34.9% (95% CI, 28.5%-41.4%) in men with low testosterone levels.

After adjusting for age, medical morbidity, and other clinical covariates, low testosterone levels continued to be associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.34-2.63; P<.001) while equivocal testosterone levels were not significantly different from normal testosterone levels (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99%-1.92%; P=.06). In a sensitivity analysis, men who died within the first year (50 [5.8%]) were excluded to minimize the effect of acute illness, and low testosterone levels continued to be associated with elevated mortality.

Conclusions: Low testosterone levels were associated with increased mortality in male veterans.

2) Laughlin, Gail A., Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, and Jaclyn Bergstrom. “Low serum testosterone and mortality in older men.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 93.1 (2008): 68-75.

Results: During an average 11.8-yr follow-up, 538 deaths occurred. Men whose total testosterone levels were in the lowest quartile (<241 ng/dl) were 40% [hazards ratio (HR) 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–1.71] more likely to die than those with higher levels, independent of age, adiposity, and lifestyle. Additional adjustment for health status markers, lipids, lipoproteins, blood pressure, glycemia, adipocytokines, and estradiol levels had minimal effect on results. The low testosterone-mortality association was also independent of the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and prevalent cardiovascular disease but was attenuated by adjustment for IL-6 and C-reactive protein.

In cause-specific analyses, low testosterone predicted increased risk of cardiovascular (HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.02–1.85) and respiratory disease (HR 2.29; 95% CI 1.25–4.20) mortality but was not significantly related to cancer death (HR 1.34; 95% CI 0.89–2.00). Results were similar for bioavailable testosterone.

Conclusions: Testosterone insufficiency in older men is associated with increased risk of death over the following 20 yr, independent of multiple risk factors and several preexisting health conditions.

3) Low Testosterone Could Kill You. Low Levels of Male Hormone May be More Dangerous Than Previously Thought By Supinda Bunyavanich, M.D. ABC News Medical Unit June 6, 2007

Low testosterone may lead to a greater risk of death, according to a study presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Toronto.
Men with low testosterone had a 33 percent greater death risk over their next 18 years of life compared with men who had higher testosterone, according to the study conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Barrett-Connor and colleagues at the University of California at San Diego. “It’s very exciting and potentially a groundbreaking study,” said Barrett-Connor. “But it needs to be confirmed.” The study tracked nearly 800 men, 50 to 91 years old, living in California. Their testosterone level was measured at the beginning of the study, and their health was then tracked over the next 20 years.

4) Testosterone Replacement For Men With Low Testosterone Improves Liver Function, Metabolic Syndrome. Testosterone deficiency, which becomes more common with age, is linked not only to decreased libido but also to a number of medical problems. These include the metabolic syndrome a cluster of metabolic risk factors that increase the chances of developing heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

5) Low testosterone levels linked to depression in older men March 2008
Older men with lower free testosterone levels in their blood appear to have higher prevalence of depression, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

6) Malkin, Chris J., et al. “Low serum testosterone and increased mortality in men with coronary heart disease.” Heart 96.22 (2010): 1821-1825.

Background To examine the effect of serum testosterone levels on survival in a consecutive series of men with confirmed coronary disease and calculate the prevalence of testosterone deficiency.

Design Longitudinal follow-up study. Setting Tertiary referral cardiothoracic centre. Patients 930 consecutive men with coronary disease referred for diagnostic angiography recruited between June 2000 and June 2002 and followed up for a mean of 6.9±2.1 years.

Outcome All-cause mortality and vascular mortality. Prevalence of testosterone deficiency.
Results The overall prevalence of biochemical testosterone deficiency in the coronary disease cohort using bio-available testosterone (bio-T) <2.6 nmol/l was 20.9%, using total testosterone <8.1 nmol/l was 16.9% and using either was 24%. Excess mortality was noted in the androgen-deficient group compared with normal (41 (21%) vs 88 (12%), p=0.002). The only parameters found to influence time to all-cause and vascular mortality (HR ± 95% CI) in multivariate analyses were the presence of left ventricular dysfunction (3.85; 1.72 to 8.33), aspirin therapy (0.63; 0.38 to 1.0), β-blocker therapy (0.45; 0.31 to 0.67) and low serum bio-T (2.27; 1.45 to 3.6).

Conclusions In patients with coronary disease testosterone deficiency is common and impacts significantly negatively on survival. Prospective trials of testosterone replacement are needed to assess the effect of treatment on survival.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2016
7) Traish, Abdulmaged. “Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency: Are we beyond the point of no return?.” Investigative and Clinical Urology 57.6 (2016): 384-400.
Although testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency was introduced in the early 1940s, utilization of this effective treatment approach in hypogonadal men is met with considerable skepticism and resistance. Indeed, for decades, the fear that testosterone may cause prostate cancer has hampered clinical progress in this field. Nevertheless, even after considerable knowledge was acquired that this fear is unsubstantiated, many in the medical community remain hesitant to utilize this therapeutic approach to treat men with hypogonadism. As the fears concerning prostate cancer have subsided, a new controversy regarding use of testosterone therapy and increase in cardiovascular disease was introduced. Although the new controversy was based on one ill-fated clinical trial, one meta-analysis with studies that utilized unapproved formulation in men with liver cirrhosis, and two retrospective studies with suspect or nonvalidated statistical methodologies and database contaminations, the flames of such controversy were fanned by the lay press and academics alike. In this review we discuss the adverse effect of testosterone deficiency and highlight the numerous proven benefits of testosterone therapy on men’s health and debunk the myth that testosterone therapy increases cardiovascular risk. Ultimately, we believe that there is considerable scientific and clinical evidence to suggest that testosterone therapy is safe and effective with restoration of physiological levels in men with testosterone deficiency, irrespective of its etiology.

TD is associated with increased incidence of metabolic syndrome, obesity, sexual dysfunction, impaired fertility, reduced motivation, increased fatigue, depressed mood, loss of bone and muscle mass, anemia, decreased energy and vigour, insulin resistance, diabetes, inflammation, dyslipidemia, sarcopenia and frailty, reduced quality of life (QoL) and increased mortality [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44]. A substantial body of evidence indicates that coronary artery disease incidence and severity, carotid intima-media thickness, atherosclerosis is inversely correlated with serum T concentrations [45]. There is an urgent need among the medical community for greater awareness of the impact of TD on general health in men with TD.

8) Traish, Abdulmaged M. “Testosterone therapy in men with testosterone deficiency: are the benefits and cardiovascular risks real or imagined?.” American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Vol. 311. No. 3. American Physiological Society, 2016.

In the adult male, testosterone (T) deficiency (TD) also known as male hypogonadism, is a well-established medical condition, which has been recognized for more than a century. T therapy in men with TD was introduced as early as 1940s and was reported to improve overall health with no concomitant serious adverse effects. A wealth of recent studies demonstrated that T therapy in men with TD is associated with increased lean body mass, reduced fat mass and waist circumference, improvement in glycemic control, and reduced obesity. T therapy is also associated with improvements in lipid profiles, amelioration of metabolic syndrome (Met S) components, reduced inflammatory biomarkers, reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and improvements in sexual function. More importantly, T therapy is associated with amelioration of diabetes and reduced mortality. However, few studies, marred with serious methodological and analytical flaws reported between 2010 and 2014, suggested that T therapy is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. As summarized in this review, a thorough and critical analysis of these studies showed that the risks purported are unsubstantiated and such studies lacked credible scientific and clinical evidence. Moreover, recent observational, registry studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses, all revealed no increase in CV risks in men receiving T therapy. In this review, the benefits of T therapy in adult men with TD and the lack of credible evidence suggesting that T therapy is linked to increased CV risks are discussed. It should be noted that the literature is replete with studies demonstrating beneficial effects of T therapy on CV and overall health.

Of importance, the study by Snyder et al. [3] and the resolutions of the consensus panel on T [2] debunked the notion that age-related hypogonadism is not a clinical condition and should remain untreated. As reported in the study [3], T therapy in older men has several benefits and age-related hypogonadism is a clinical condition worthy of treatment. We hope that the findings of this large and well executed study [3] and the summary provided by the consensus panel [2] will serve as a reminder to those who are beating the drums of fear and hysteria on the dangerous use of T in the treatment of men with TD and reassure men suffering from TD and their physicians that such fears and hysteria are unfounded.

9) free pdf Anderson Jeffrey testosterone replacement myocardial infarction low testosterone 2016 Anderson, Jeffrey L., et al. “Impact of testosterone replacement therapy on myocardial infarction, stroke, and death in men with low testosterone concentrations in an integrated health care system.” The American journal of cardiology 117.5 (2016): 794-799.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on cardiovascular outcomes. Men (January 1, 1996, to December 31, 2011) with a low initial total testosterone concentration, a subsequent testosterone level, and >3 years of follow-up were studied. Levels were correlated with testosterone supplement use. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stroke at 3 years. Multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) comparing groups of persistent low (<212 ng/dl, n = 801), normal (212 to 742 ng/dl, n = 2,241), and high (>742 ng/dl, n = 1,694) achieved testosterone were calculated by Cox hazard regression.

A total of 4,736 men were studied. Three-year rates of MACE and death were 6.6% and 4.3%, respectively. Subjects supplemented to normal testosterone had reduced 3-year MACE (HR 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56 to 0.98, p = 0.04) compared to persistently low testosterone, driven primarily by death (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.90). HRs for MI and stroke were 0.73 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.34), p = 0.32, and 1.11 (95% CI 0.54 to 2.28), p = 0.78, respectively. MACE was noninferior but not superior for high achieved testosterone with no benefit on MI and a trend to greater stroke risk. In conclusion, in a large general health care population, TRT to normal levels was associated with reduced MACE and death over 3 years but a stroke signal with high achieved levels suggests a conservative approach to TRT.

10) Saad, Farid, et al. “Testosterone Deficiency and Testosterone Treatment in Older Men.” Gerontology (2016).
Gerontology Testosterone Deficiency and Testosterone Treatment in Older Men Saad F.a, b · Röhrig G.c, d · von Haehling S.e · Traish A.f, g
aGlobal Medical Affairs Andrology, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany;
Frailty is a clinical condition related to changes in metabolism, to sarcopenia, and to decline in muscle mass and strength, bone mineral density, and physical function with aging. The pathophysiology of frailty is multifactorial and associated with comorbidities. Testosterone is implicated in regulating metabolic functions, maintenance of muscle and bone, and inhibition of adipogenesis. In older individuals, reduced testosterone is thought to contribute to an altered state of metabolism, loss of muscle and bone, and increased fat, leading to sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and frailty. While no direct relationship between testosterone deficiency (commonly known as hypogonadism) and frailty has been established (due to the multifactorial nature of frailty), clinical evidence suggests that testosterone deficiency is associated with increased sarcopenia and obesity. Testosterone treatment in frail older men with limited mobility and with testosterone deficiency improved insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and body composition. These changes contribute to better physical function and improved quality of life. Because frailty increases disability, comorbidities, and the risk of hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality in older men, it is warranted to explore the potential usefulness of testosterone treatment in frail men with hypogonadism in order to attenuate the progression of sarcopenia and frailty. In this paper, we will discuss the impact of testosterone deficiency on frailty and the potential role of testosterone treatment in ameliorating and reducing the progression of frailty. Such an approach may reduce disability and the risk of hospitalization and increase functional independence and quality of life.

11) free pdf Morgentaler Abraham Testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk Mayo Clinic 2015
Morgentaler, Abraham, et al. “Testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk: advances and controversies.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Vol. 90. No. 2. Elsevier, 2015.

a modest number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), indicate that low serum T concentrations are associated with increased CV risk and mortality and that T therapy may have clinically relevant CV benefits

Established benefits of T therapy in hypogonadal men include improved sexual desire and function,12-15 improved energy, mood, and vitality,15-19 increased lean mass,14,19-22 decreased waist circumference,23-27 reduced total body fat mass,19-22 and increased bone mineral density.28-31 Promising new data reveal that T therapy improves insulin sensitivity32-34 and reduces blood glucose23,25,35
and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)23,25,27,35 levels in men with type 2 diabetes or obesity.

In summary, we find no scientific basis for the suggestion that T therapy increases CV risk. In fact, as of this date, we are unaware of any compelling evidence that T therapy is associated with increased CV risk. On the contrary, the weight of evidence accumulated by researchers around the world over several decades clearly indicates that higher levels of T are associated with amelioration of CV risk factors and reduced risk of mortality.

12) Sharma, Rishi, et al. “Normalization of testosterone level is associated with reduced incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality in men.” European Heart Journal (2015): ehv346.

Aims There is a significant uncertainty regarding the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between normalization of total testosterone (TT) after TRT and CV events as well as all-cause mortality in patients without previous history of MI and stroke.
Methods and results We retrospectively examined 83 010 male veterans with documented low TT levels. The subjects were categorized into (Gp1: TRT with resulting normalization of TT levels),
(Gp2: TRT without normalization of TT levels) and
(Gp3: Did not receive TRT).
By utilizing propensity score-weighted Cox proportional hazard models, the association of TRT with all-cause mortality, MI, stroke, and a composite endpoint was compared between these groups. The all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.44, confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.46], risk of MI (HR: 0.76, CI 0.63–0.93), and stroke (HR: 0.64, CI 0.43–0.96) were significantly lower in Gp1 (n = 43 931, median age = 66 years, mean follow-up = 6.2 years) vs. Gp3 (n = 13 378, median age = 66 years, mean follow-up = 4.7 years) in propensity-matched cohort. Similarly, the all-cause mortality (HR: 0.53, CI 0.50–0.55), risk of MI (HR: 0.82, CI 0.71–0.95), and stroke (HR: 0.70, CI 0.51–0.96) were significantly lower in Gp1 vs. Gp2 (n = 25 701, median age = 66 years, mean follow-up = 4.6 years). There was no difference in MI or stroke risk between Gp2 and Gp3.
Conclusion In this large observational cohort with extended follow-up, normalization of TT levels after TRT was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, MI, and stroke.

13) Muraleedharan, Vakkat, et al. “Testosterone deficiency is associated with increased risk of mortality and testosterone replacement improves survival in men with type 2 diabetes.” European Journal of Endocrinology 169.6 (2013): 725-733.

Objective Men with type 2 diabetes are known to have a high prevalence of testosterone deficiency. No long-term data are available regarding testosterone and mortality in men with type 2 diabetes or any effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). We report a 6-year follow-up study to examine the effect of baseline testosterone and TRT on all-cause mortality in men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone.

Research design and methods A total of 581 men with type 2 diabetes who had testosterone levels performed between 2002 and 2005 were followed up for a mean period of 5.8±1.3 s.d. years. Mortality rates were compared between total testosterone >10.4 nmol/l (300 ng/dl; n=343) and testosterone ≤10.4 nmol/l (n=238). The effect of TRT (as per normal clinical practice: 85.9% testosterone gel and 14.1% intramuscular testosterone undecanoate) was assessed retrospectively within the low testosterone group.

Results Mortality was increased in the low testosterone group (17.2%) compared with the normal testosterone group (9%; P=0.003) when controlled for covariates. In the Cox regression model, multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for decreased survival was 2.02 (P=0.009, 95% CI 1.2–3.4). TRT (mean duration 41.6±20.7 months; n=64) was associated with a reduced mortality of 8.4% compared with 19.2% (P=0.002) in the untreated group (n=174). The multivariate-adjusted HR for decreased survival in the untreated group was 2.3 (95% CI 1.3–3.9, P=0.004).

Conclusions Low testosterone levels predict an increase in all-cause mortality during long-term follow-up. Testosterone replacement may improve survival in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes.
Several longitudinal population studies have reported that a low testosterone at baseline is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality (1). Some individual studies have specifically identified increases in cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer deaths (2, 3, 4). A meta-analysis of published research papers with a mean follow-up period of 9.7 years confirmed that low testosterone was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in community based studies (1). Men with specific co-morbidities such as proven coronary artery disease and renal failure have also found that low testosterone predicts an increased risk of earlier death than those with the same condition and are testosterone replete (5, 6).

In summary, this is the first study to demonstrate that low testosterone levels are associated with an increase in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in men with type 2 diabetes. This study demonstrates that long-term testosterone replacement is not only safe in terms of mortality but may also improve survival in men with type 2 diabetes and hypogonadism.

14) Shores, Molly M., et al. “Testosterone Treatment and Mortality in Men with Low Testosterone Levels.” (2012). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jun;97(6):2050-8. Shores Testosterone-Treatment mortality-in-men-with-hypogonadism J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012

Low testosterone levels in men have been associated with increased mortality. However, the influence of testosterone treatment on mortality in men with low testosterone levels is not known.
OBJECTIVE:The objective of the study was to examine the association between testosterone treatment and mortality in men with low testosterone levels.
DESIGN:This was an observational study of mortality in testosterone-treated compared with untreated men, assessed with time-varying, adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Effect modification by age, diabetes, and coronary heart disease was tested a priori.
SETTING:The study was conducted with a clinical database that included seven Northwest Veterans Affairs medical centers.
PATIENTS:Patients included a cohort of 1031 male veterans, aged older than 40 yr, with low total testosterone [≤250 ng/dl (8.7 nmol/liter)] and no history of prostate cancer, assessed between January 2001 and December 2002 and followed up through the end of 2005.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Total mortality in testosterone-treated compared with untreated men was measured.
RESULTS:Testosterone treatment was initiated in 398 men (39%) during routine clinical care. The mortality in testosterone-treated men was 10.3% compared with 20.7% in untreated men (P<0.0001) with a mortality rate of 3.4 deaths per 100 person-years for testosterone-treated men and 5.7 deaths per 100 person-years in men not treated with testosterone. After multivariable adjustment including age, body mass index, testosterone level, medical morbidity, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, testosterone treatment was associated with decreased risk of death (hazard ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.88; P = 0.008). No significant effect modification was found by age, diabetes, or coronary heart disease.
CONCLUSIONS: In an observational cohort of men with low testosterone levels, testosterone treatment was associated with decreased mortality compared with no testosterone treatment. These results should be interpreted cautiously because residual confounding may still be a source of bias. Large, randomized clinical trials are needed to better characterize the health effects of testosterone treatment in older men with low testosterone levels.

15) Traish, Abdulmaged M., Jay C. Vance, and Abraham Morgentaler. “Overselling hysteria.” EMBO reports (2016): e201643642.

======================= ================

2021

16) Traish, Abdulmaged M. “Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency Merits Treatment.” Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics 2.1 (2021): 46-55.
The negative effects of testosterone deficiency (TD) on human health and quality of life are well demonstrated, including signs, symptoms, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and increased mortality. Recently, substantial evidence emerged, demonstrating the benefits of testosterone therapy in men with classical and “age-related” hypogonadism. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opposes testosterone therapy in men with age-related hypogonadism but not in men with classical hypogonadism. The FDA acknowledges that TD merits treatment, but the FDA made an artificial distinction between diagnoses where T treatment is warranted and others where the underlying diagnosis is unknown, and treatment is unwarranted. The FDA labeled the unknown category as “age-related.” Since the FDA is unable to demonstrate that one group differs in benefits or risks from the other, there are no bases for this distinction. This action by the FDA is not based on scientific or clinical evidence. There is no evidence that the response to testosterone therapy of “age-related” hypogonadism occurs via different physiological or biochemical mechanisms than those historically recognized conditions. Also, there is no evidence that “age-related” hypogonadism responds less well to testosterone therapy than “classical” hypogonadism. More importantly, there is no scientific or clinical evidence to suggest that the risks of testosterone therapy in men with “age-related” hypogonadism are worse or different for men with “classical” hypogonadism. For these reasons, we disagree with the FDA position on testosterone therapy in age-related hypogonadism.

17) Nguyen, Christine P., et al. “Testosterone and “age-related hypogonadism”—FDA concerns.” The New England journal of medicine 373.8 (2015): 689.
The FDA convened an advisory committee meeting in September 2014 to discuss the use of testosterone for age-related hypogonadism and the recent signal of cardiovascular risk. The committee members concluded that the available evidence supports an indication for testosterone therapy only in men with classic hypogonadism and that drug labels should state that the efficacy and safety of testosterone products have not been established for age-related hypogonadism. In addition, because there is no evidence of laboratory testing before the initial testosterone prescription for some men, committee members recommended adding a statement to drug labels about the need to confirm low serum testosterone concentrations before initiating treatment. The committee acknowledged the limitations of the available data on adverse cardiovascular events but concluded that the totality of the evidence suggests a weak signal of cardiovascular risk and recommended updating drug labels to reflect this information. The FDA agreed with the advisory committee’s recommendations and subsequently required revisions to the labels of all testosterone products. Committee members also commented that only a controlled clinical trial — not observational studies — will be able to definitively determine the effects of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular outcomes.

18) Morgentaler, Abraham. “Understanding the Controversy Regarding Treatment of Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency.” Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics 2.1 (2021): 61-63.
The FDA is a critically important government institution charged with the protection of our public health. Yet it must be emphasized that its role is to regulate the pharmaceutical industry, and not health care providers.
It bears emphasis that the FDA is not involved with the practice of medicine. Yet the medical community and insurance companies pay close attention to the FDA’s positions, and insurance companies frequently restrict coverage based on FDA labels, especially if it helps
their bottom line. Although pressures on a regulatory agency such as
the FDA differ substantially from those of health care providers and medical groups, it is to be hoped that the entirety of the scientific community, including the FDA, will soon come to recognize the importance of TTh not only for its symptomatic benefits in men
with age-related TD, but also for its impact on general health. I encourage everyone interested in TD and its treatment to read the excellent articles by Traish2 and by Nguyen and colleagues

——————- ——————

19) Zhu, Alex, et al. “What is a normal testosterone level for young men? Rethinking the 300 ng/dL cutoff for testosterone deficiency in men 20-44 years old.” The Journal of Urology 208.6 (2022): 1295-1302.
Purpose: There is an age-related decline in male testosterone production. It is
therefore surprising that young men are evaluated for testosterone deficiency with the same cutoff of 300 ng/dL that was developed from samples of older men. Our aim is to describe normative total testosterone levels and age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels in men 20 to 44 years old. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which survey nationally representative samples of United States residents. Men 20 to 44 years old with testosterone levels were included. Men on hormonal medications, with a history of testicular cancer or orchiectomy,
and with afternoon/evening laboratory values were excluded. We separated men into 5-year intervals and evaluated the testosterone levels of each age group, and for all men 20 to 44 years old. We used the American Urological Association definition of a “normal testosterone level” (the “middle tertile”) to calculate age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels.

Results: Our final analytic cohort contained 1,486 men. Age-specific middle tertile levels were
409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old),
413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old),
359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old),
352-478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and
350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old).
Age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels were 409, 413, 359, 352, and 350 ng/dL, respectively.
Conclusions: Diagnosis of testosterone deficiency has traditionally been performed in an age-indiscriminate manner. However, young men have different testosterone reference ranges than older men. Accordingly, age-specific normative values and cutoffs should be integrated into the evaluation of young men presenting with testosterone deficiency.

20) Yeo, Sandy, et al. “Burden of male hypogonadism and major comorbidities, and the clinical, economic, and humanistic benefits of testosterone therapy: a narrative review.” ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research (2021): 31-38.

Abstract: Male hypogonadism and major comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis appear closely connected, forming a vicious cycle that leads to further hypogonadism. This narrative review provides a comprehensive
overview of the current literature on the overall burden of male hypogonadism alongside related comorbidities, and how this may be alleviated through testosterone therapy. Observational and clinical data demonstrate that the interaction of male hypogonadism and its related comorbidities is associated with increased mortality, cardiovascular event risk and reduced quality of life. Evidence from epidemiological and registry-based studies shows that this clinical and humanistic burden translates to increased economic burden on health-care systems, through increased physician visits, medical claims, and drug costs. Male hypogonadism can be managed with testosterone therapy, which is intended to normalize testosterone concentrations and thereby reduce both hypogonadism symptoms and risk of comorbidities. Clinical and observational data suggest that in males with hypogonadism, testosterone therapy rapidly and sustainably improves glycemia, reduces risk of progression to diabetes, leads to significantly reduced waist circumference and fat mass, while providing significant positive effects on cardiovascular event risk and bone density. Significant and sustained improvement in patient-reported erectile function, urinary function, and aging male symptoms have also been shown. Economic evaluations have estimated that reduced comorbidity risk following testosterone therapy may lead to cost-savings, with one study estimating yearly inpatient savings of £3732 for treating comorbidities after intervention. A major unmet need exists in the area of male hypogonadism, particularly related to common comorbidities. Options for treatment include testosterone therapy, which has been shown to alleviate the clinical, economic, and humanistic burden associated with these conditions. As the prevalence of male hypogonadism is likely to increase globally, and this condition may be currently underdiagnosed, cost-saving testosterone therapies should be increasingly considered to manage hypogonadism.

21) Figueiredo, Maria Gabriela, Thiago Gagliano-Jucá, and Shehzad Basaria. “Testosterone therapy with subcutaneous injections: A safe, practical, and reasonable option.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 107.3 (2022): 614-626.

22) Lapauw, Bruno, and Jean-Marc Kaufman. “Management of endocrine disease: Rationale and current evidence for testosterone therapy in the management of obesity and its complications.” European Journal of Endocrinology 183.6 (2020): R167-R183.

23) Zhang, Xiao, et al. “Testosterone therapy reduces cardiovascular risk among hypogonadal men: a prospective cohort study in Germany.” Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics 2.1 (2021): 64-72.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from 602 hypogonadism men free of CVDs at study baseline from a registry study in Germany who were eligible for testosterone therapy, with an age range of 31–74 years and a follow-up duration of up to 12 years. Receiving testosterone therapy or not was based on the patient’s own choice at study entry. Patients who decided to take testosterone therapy were classified as treatment group (n = 325), and the rest were classified as the control group (n = 277).

Results: We found that the control group had an overall increasing risk score and decreasing testosterone level over time. For the treatment group with improved testosterone level and lipid and glucose profiles, the risk score decreased before 24 months, and it became stable later on. After propensity score matching, there were 0 cardiovascular events in the treatment group and 45 in the control group.

Conclusions: Low testosterone level is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Long-term testosterone therapy reduces cardiovascular events among hypogonadal men. Clinicians should be informed of this association when assessing a male patient’s cardiovascular risk and ensure timely treatment if needed.

24) Yassin, A., et al. “Testosterone Treatment (TTh) Improves Anemia and Hematocrit Increase Reduced Death in Hypogonadal Men: Paradigm Shift of a Risk Factor of TTh.” Curr Trends Intern Med 6 (2022): 161.
The present study showed that increased hematocrit (up
to 52% at final assessment) was independently associated with reduced mortality [5]. This confirms the current clinical guidelines recommendation of using 54% as a threshold for change in management of men receiving testosterone therapy (e.g. dose reduction or therapeutic phlebotomy) [11-15]. It should be kept in mind that dehydration can cause a temporary elevation in hematocrit [16] and therefore a high hematocrit reading should be confirmed in a second blood test, ensuring the patient is in a well hydrated state, before action is taken.

The finding that the hematocrit elevation stabilized at month 48 is reassuring [5] This is congruent with results from another long-term real-world evidence study, in which treatment with testosterone undecanoate injection for 10 years increased hematocrit by 3.6% [3].

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials which showed that despite a higher incidence of elevated hematocrit in men receiving testosterone therapy compared to placebo, no difference in clinical adverse events were reported [17,18]. The present study provides reassurance regarding the safety of testosterone therapy, and suggests that long-term TTh can reduce mortality even in the context of relatively high hematocrit levels. Support for this comes from other long-term real-world evidence studies showing that despite increases in hematocrit, there was no increased risk for venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, or mortality [2,19].

25) de Ronde, Willem. “Hyperandrogenism after transfer of topical testosterone gel: case report and review of published and unpublished studies.” Human Reproduction 24.2 (2009): 425-428.

26) Doleeb, Sarah, et al. “Strong muscles, weak heart: testosterone‐induced cardiomyopathy.” ESC heart failure 6.5 (2019): 1000-1004.
Exogenous anabolic androgen steroid use is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. A 53‐year‐old bodybuilder presented with 3 months of exertional dyspnoea. Physical examination showed tachycardia and pan‐systolic murmur; an echocardiogram showed a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of 15%. Evaluations included normal coronary angiogram, iron panel and thyroid studies, a negative viral panel (human immunodeficiency virus, Lyme disease, and hepatitis), and urine toxicology. He admitted to intramuscular anabolic steroid use; his testosterone level was 30 160.0 ng/dL (normal 280–1100 ng/dL). In addition to discontinuation of anabolic steroid use, he was treated with guideline‐directed heart failure medical therapy. Repeat echocardiogram at 6 months showed an EF of 54% and normalized testosterone level of 603.7 ng/dL. Anabolic steroid use is a rare, reversible cause of cardiomyopathy in young, otherwise healthy athletes; a high index of suspicion is required to prevent potentially fatal side effects.

Animal studies have demonstrated that exogenous AAS administration has deleterious cardiovascular effects including indirect neurohormonal activation and direct androgenic receptor stimulation resulting in hypertension, myocyte hypertrophy and extracellular fibrosis, apoptotic cell death, premature coronary artery disease, and arrhythmogenesis.9 Multiple reports of exogenous AAS have been linked with adverse cardiovascular outcome in humans, and long‐term testosterone use may lead to hypertension10 and stroke, cardiac diastolic and systolic dysfunction,2 coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and sudden death.3

27) Haider, Karim Sultan, et al. “Remission of type 2 diabetes following long‐term treatment with injectable testosterone undecanoate in patients with hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes: 11‐year data from a real‐world registry study.” Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 22.11 (2020): 2055-2068.

To investigate whether testosterone therapy (TTh) in men with hypogonadism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improves glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity, and results in remission of T2DM.
Material and Methods

A total of 356 men who had total testosterone levels ≤12.1 nmol/L (350 ng/dL) and symptoms of hypogonadism were included in the study and followed up for 11 years. All patients received standard diabetes treatment and 178 patients additionally received parenteral testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg every 12 weeks following an initial 6‐week interval. A control group comprised 178 hypogonadal patients who opted not to receive TTh.
Results

Patients with hypogonadism and T2DM treated with testosterone had significant progressive and sustained reductions in fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting insulin over the treatment period. In the control group, fasting glucose, HbA1c and fasting insulin increased. Among the patients treated with testosterone 34.3% achieved remission of their diabetes and 46.6% of patients achieved normal glucose regulation. Of the testosterone‐treated group, 83.1% reached the HbA1c target of 47.5 mmol/mol (6.5%) and 90% achieved the HbA1c target of 53.0 mmol/mol (7%). In contrast, no remission of diabetes or reductions in glucose or HbA1c levels were noted in the control group. There were fewer deaths, myocardial infarctions, strokes and diabetic complications in the testosterone‐treated group.
Conclusions

Long‐term TTh in men with T2DM and hypogonadism improves glycaemic control and insulin resistance. Remission of diabetes occurred in one‐third of the patients. TTh is potentially a novel additional therapy for men with T2DM and hypogonadism.

28) Kumari, Kajol, et al. “Treatment with Testosterone Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Hypogonadal Adult Males: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Clinics and Practice 13.2 (2023): 454-469.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been used to treat hypogonadal males with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for a long time, despite variable results. This meta-analysis examines TRT’s role in hypogonadal males with T2DM. The databases PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant RCTs and observational studies. Estimated pooled mean differences (MDs) and relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were used to measure the effects of TRT (CIs). When compared to the placebo, TRT improves glycemic management by significantly reducing glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c) levels (WMD = −0.29 [−0.57, −0.02] p = 0.04; I2 = 89.8%). Additionally, it reduces the homeostatic model assessment levels of insulin resistance (WMD = −1.47 [−3.14, 0.19]; p = 0.08; I2 = 56.3%), fasting glucose (WMD = −0.30 [−0.75, 0.15]; p = 0.19; I2 = 84.4%), and fasting insulin (WMD = −2.95 [−8.64, 2.74]; however, these results are non-significant. On the other hand, HBA1c levels are significantly reduced with TRT; in addition, total testosterone levels significantly increase with testosterone replacement therapy (WMD = 4.51 [2.40, 6.61] p = 0.0001; I2 = 96.3%). Based on our results, we hypothesize that TRT can improve glycemic control and hormone levels, as well as lower total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL cholesterol in hypogonadal type 2 diabetes patients. To this end, we recommend TRT for these patients in addition to standard diabetes care.

29) Caliber, Monica, and Farid Saad. “Testosterone therapy for prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes in men with low testosterone.” Current Opinion in Pharmacology 58 (2021): 83-89.

Men with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a high prevalence of testosterone deficiency (TD). Similarly, men with TD have an increased risk of developing obesity and/or T2D, and further body fat accumulation and deterioration of glycemic control create a vicious cycle. The landmark testosterone for diabetes mellitus trial, the largest randomized controlled trial of testosterone therapy (TTh) to date, confirms the beneficial effects of TTh on fat loss and gain in muscle mass, and that TTh for 2 years significantly reduces the risk of incident T2D, and may also reverse T2D. The testosterone for diabetes mellitus trial suggests that TTh reduces the risk of T2D and results in greater improvement in sexual function and wellbeing, beyond lifestyle intervention alone.

==================================

Cardiovascular Disease, ED

30) Haider, Ahmad, et al. “Men with testosterone deficiency and a history of cardiovascular diseases benefit from long-term testosterone therapy: observational, real-life data from a registry study.” Vascular health and risk management (2016): 251-261.

Men with testosterone deficiency and a history of cardiovascular diseases benefit from long-term testosterone therapy: observational, real-life data from a registry study.

In two urological clinics observational registries, we identified 77 hypogonadal men receiving TTh who also had a history of CVD. The effects of TTh on anthropometric and metabolic parameters were investigated for a maximum duration of 8 years. Any occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events was reported. All men received long-acting injections of testosterone undecanoate at 3-monthly intervals.
In 77 hypogonadal men with a history of CVD who received TTh, we observed a significant weight loss and a decrease in waist circumference and body mass index. Mean weight decreased from 114±13 kg to 91±9 kg, change from baseline: −24±1 kg and −20.2%±0.5%. Waist circumference decreased from 112±8 cm to 99±6 cm, change from baseline: −13±0.3 cm. Body mass index decreased from 37±4 to 29±3, change from baseline: −8±0.2 kg/m2. Cardio-metabolic parameters such as lipid pattern, glycemic control, blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse pressure all improved significantly and sustainably. No patient suffered a major adverse cardiovascular event during the full observation time.
Conclusion In men with hypogonadism, TTh appears to be effective in achieving sustained improvements in all cardiometabolic risk factors and may be effective as an add-on measure in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in hypogonadal men with a history of CVD.

As we can clearly see from a real life experience at the two Urology clinics over 8 years treating 77 males with known coronary artery disease, none of this actually happens as reported by Dr.Haider.)

Not only were no cardiovascular events in the Testosterone treated group, various cardiovascular risk parameters were improved. Here is a quote from Dr Haider(8):

“Over 8 years, the men experienced weight loss (from 114 kg to 91 kg), decreased waist circumference (112 cm to 99 cm), decreased BMI from 37 to 29. Cardio-metabolic parameters such as lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse pressure all improved significantly and sustainably. No patient suffered a major adverse cardiovascular event during the full observation time. Testosterone therapy …. may be effective as an add-on treatment for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in testosterone deficient men with a history of cardiovascular disease.”(8)

31) Alwani, Mustafa, et al. “Cardiovascular Disease, Hypogonadism and Erectile Dysfunction: Early Detection, Prevention and the Positive Effects of Long-Term Testosterone Treatment: Prospective Observational, Real-Life Data.” Vascular Health and Risk Management 17 (2021): 497.

Seventy-seven patients with a history of CVD and diagnosed with functional hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction (erectile function domain score <21 on the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF questions 1–5)) were enrolled and TTh effects on anthropometric and metabolic parameters investigated for a maximum duration of 12 years. All men received long-acting injections of testosterone undecanoate at 3-monthly intervals. Eight-year data were analysed. Data collection registry started in November 2004 till January 2015.
Results: In hypogonadal men receiving TTh, IIEF increased by 5.4 (p<0.001). Total weight loss was 23.6 ± 0.6 kg after 8 years. HbA1c had declined by an average of 2.0% (P<0.0001). Total cholesterol levels significantly declined following TTh after only 1 year (P<0.0001), and HDL increased from 1.6±0.5 at baseline to 2±0.5 mmol/L following 8 years of TTh (P<0.0001). SBP decreased from 164±14 at baseline to 133±9 mmHg, signifying a reduction of 33±1 mmHg (P<0.0001).

In hypogonadal men with a history of CVD, TTh improves and preserves erectile function over prolonged periods with concurrent sustained improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Measuring ED and testosterone status may serve as an important male health indicator predicting subsequent CVD-related events and mortality and TTh may be an effective add-on treatment in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in hypogonadal men with a history of CVD.

Polycytemia

32) Ory, Jesse, et al. “Secondary polycythemia in men receiving testosterone therapy increases risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and venous thromboembolism in the first year of therapy.” The Journal of urology 207.6 (2022): 1295-1301.

Materials and methods: Using a multi-institutional database of 74 million patients, we identified 2 cohorts of men with low testosterone (total testosterone <350 ng/dl) who received TT and subsequently either developed polycythemia (5,887) or did not (4,2784). Polycythemia was defined as hematocrit ≥52%. As a secondary objective, we identified 2 cohorts of hypogonadal men without polycythemia, who either did (26,880) or did not (27,430) receive TT. Our primary outcome was the incidence of MACE and VTE in the first year after starting TT. We conducted a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess differences in MACE and VTE survival time, and measured associations following propensity score matching.

Results: A total of 5,842 men who received TT and developed polycythemia were matched and compared to 5,842 men who did not develop polycythemia. Men with polycythemia had a higher risk of MACE/VTE (number of outcomes: 301, 5.15%) than men who had normal hematocrit (226, 3.87%) while on TT (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.61, p <0.001). In hypogonadal men who received testosterone, no increased risk of MACE and VTE was identified as compared to hypogonadal men naïve to TT.

Conclusions: Developing polycythemia while on TT is an independent risk factor for MACE and VTE in the first year of therapy. Future research on the safety of TT should include hematocrit as an independent variable.

33) Lincoff, A. Michael, et al. “Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy.” New England Journal of Medicine (2023).

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority trial, we enrolled 5246 men 45 to 80 years of age who had preexisting or a high risk of cardiovascular disease and who reported symptoms of hypogonadism and had two fasting testosterone levels of less than 300 ng per deciliter. Patients were randomly assigned to receive daily transdermal 1.62% testosterone gel (dose adjusted to maintain testosterone levels between 350 and 750 ng per deciliter) or placebo gel. The primary cardiovascular safety end point was the first occurrence of any component of a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. A secondary cardiovascular end point was the first occurrence of any component of the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or coronary revascularization, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. Noninferiority required an upper limit of less than 1.5 for the 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio among patients receiving at least one dose of testosterone or placebo.

Results: The mean (±SD) duration of treatment was 21.7±14.1 months, and the mean follow-up was 33.0±12.1 months. A primary cardiovascular end-point event occurred in 182 patients (7.0%) in the testosterone group and in 190 patients (7.3%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.17; P<0.001 for noninferiority). Similar findings were observed in sensitivity analyses in which data on events were censored at various times after discontinuation of testosterone or placebo. The incidence of secondary end-point events or of each of the events of the composite primary cardiovascular end point appeared to be similar in the two groups. A higher incidence of atrial fibrillation, of acute kidney injury, and of pulmonary embolism was observed in the testosterone group.

Conclusions: In men with hypogonadism and preexisting or a high risk of cardiovascular disease, testosterone-replacement therapy was noninferior to placebo with respect to the incidence of major adverse cardiac events. (Funded by AbbVie and others; TRAVERSE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03518034.).

34) Lim, Gregory B. “Testosterone-replacement therapy does not increase cardiac events in men with hypogonadism.” Nature Reviews Cardiology (2023): 1-1.

Testosterone-replacement therapy in men with hypogonadism and a high risk of cardiovascular disease does not increase the risk of adverse cardiac events. This finding from the TRAVERSE trial addresses a long-standing concern about the cardiovascular safety of testosterone-replacement therapy based on data from small trials and observational studies.

======================================

Lapauw, Bruno, and Jean-Marc Kaufman. “Management of endocrine disease: Rationale and current evidence for testosterone therapy in the management of obesity and its complications.” European Journal of Endocrinology 183.6 (2020): R167-R183.

Wittert, Gary, and Mathis Grossmann. “Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and testosterone in ageing men.” Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (2022): 1-10.

Yassin, Aksam, et al. “Voiding function improves under long-term testosterone treatment (TTh) in hypogonadal men, independent of prostate size.” International Urology and Nephrology (2023): 1-10.

Traish, Abdulmaged M. “Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency Merits Treatment.” Androgens: Clinical Research and Therapeutics 2.1 (2021): 46-55.

Haider, Ahmad, et al. “Men with testosterone deficiency and a history of cardiovascular diseases benefit from long-term testosterone therapy: observational, real-life data from a registry study.” Vascular health and risk management (2016): 251-261.

Disclaimer click here: http://www.drdach.com/wst_page20.html

The reader is advised to discuss the comments on these pages with his/her personal physicians and to only act upon the advice of his/her personal physician. Also note that concerning an answer which appears as an electronically posted question, I am NOT creating a physician — patient relationship. Although identities will remain confidential as much as possible, as I can not control the media, I can not take responsibility for any breaches of confidentiality that may occur.

Link to this article

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of significance. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

Serving Areas of: Hollywood, Aventura, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Coral Springs, Cooper City, Sunshine Ranches, Hallandale, Surfside, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Normandy Isles, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Golden Beach ,Kendall,sunrise, coral springs, parkland,pompano, boca raton, palm beach, weston, dania beach, tamarac, oakland park, boynton beach, delray,lake worth,wellington,plantation.

Jeffrey Dach MD

Bioidentical Hormones Natural Thyroid

Male Testosterone Replacement, Benefits and Risks

Like this:

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Share this:

Like this:

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply