Experts Debunk Myths Surrounding Testosterone Deficiency and Treatment

In recent years, there have been questions raised about the true dangers of testosterone deficiency (TD) and the efficacy and side effects of testosterone therapy, particularly as they pertain to patients who are at risk for cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.

In an effort to address these questions, an international group of scientists developed a set of resolutions at a consensus conference in Prague, Czech Republic.

According to the details published in a Mayo Clinic Proceedings report, the bulk of the controversy about testosterone therapy originated from recent reports suggesting the therapy is associated with an increase in heart-related risks.

As such, Abraham Morgentaler, MD, chairman of the consensus conference, remarked in a newsletter, “The important of this meeting was to set aside the various distortions and misinformation that have appeared regarding testosterone therapy and to establish what is scientifically true based on the best available evidence.”

After examining “the best available scientific evidence,” Morgentaler and colleagues agreed on the following points:

· TD is a well-established, clinically significant medical condition that negatively affects male sexuality, reproduction, general health, and quality of life

· Symptoms and signs of TD occur as a result of low levels of testosterone and may benefit from treatment regardless of whether there is an identified underlying origin

· TD is a global public health concern

· Testosterone therapy for men with TD is effective, rational, and evidence based

· There is no testosterone concentration threshold that reliably distinguishes those who will respond to treatment from those who will not

· There is no scientific basis for any age-specific recommendations against the use of testosterone therapy in adult males

· The evidence does not support increased risks of cardiovascular events with testosterone therapy

· The evidence does not support increased risks of prostate cancer with testosterone therapy

· The evidence supports a major research initiative to explore possible benefits of testosterone therapy for cardiometabolic disease, including diabetes

While the experts concluded prior evidence supporting any alleged connection between risks of cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer was, indeed, weak, they agreed, “There is substantial data suggesting there may actually be cardio-protective benefits of testosterone therapy.”