title: New horizons in testosterone and the ageing male.
abstract: The fall in testosterone levels with age appears to be a real phenomenon. Declining testicular function and hypothalamic dysregulation appear to be the mechanisms explaining the fall in testosterone levels with age. The increased prevalence of obesity and chronic illness in ageing men both cause a large drop in testosterone levels independent of ageing. Age-related hypogonadism appears to be different to other 'classical' causes of hypogonadism. Testosterone levels are not unequivocally low and associated symptoms are non-specific. In frail older men with low testosterone levels, testosterone therapy appears to improve QOL and physical function. In less frail men, however, effects of testosterone therapy in the ageing male are small and/or inconsistent. There remains an urgent need for randomised clinical trials with sufficient size, duration and power to determine specific benefits and risks of testosterone therapy in older men.
authors: Andrology Research Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Old St Mary's Building, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
authors: Tomás
authors: T
authors: Ahern
authors: Andrology Research Unit, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Old St Mary's Building, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
authors: Frederick C W
authors: FC
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006304:Health Status; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: ageing; hypogonadism; older people; testosterone