Older Men on Testosterone Should be Warned of Cardiovascular Risks, Says Endocrine Society

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Sex and Romance for Senior Citizens

Older Men on Testosterone Should be Warned of Cardiovascular Risks, Says Endocrine Society

Therapy not approved for age-related symptoms, age-related decline of testosterone; studies find dangers for senior men with heart conditions

Feb. 7, 2014 - Alarmed by recent studies that have raised concerns about the safety of testosterone therapy in older men with a history of heart disease, the Endocrine Society today called for a full evaluation. According to a statement, the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy for older men with declining levels of the hormone need to be fully evaluated.

Two retrospective analyses and one randomized trial supported by the Veterans Health Care System, and the National Institutes of Health found a higher rate of cardiovascular events in men who received testosterone and had preexisting heart problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced it plans to evaluate the safety of testosterone therapy.

Testosterone is approved for the treatment of hypogonadism due to known diseases of the testes, pituitary and hypothalamus. Although the use of testosterone therapy is increasing, the treatment has not been approved for the treatment of age-related symptoms or the age-related decline of testosterone levels.

Important safety data are expected from the NIA's ongoing randomized trial examining testosterone in about 800 older men with unequivocally low testosterone levels and accompanying symptoms, including sexual and physical dysfunction. The trial's structure and careful monitoring of cardiovascular events will help provide important safety information.

The Society calls for the development of more large-scale randomized controlled trials to determine the true risks and benefits of testosterone therapy in older men.

In the statement, the Society recommends that middle-aged and older men who are considering testosterone supplementation for age-related declines should be informed of the potential cardiovascular risks.

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Older Men on Testosterone Should be Warned of Cardiovascular Risks, Says Endocrine Society

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