Effects of testosterone treatment on body composition in males with testosterone deficiency syndrome

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the safety of testosterone treatment and its efficacy on body composition in males with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) over 24 months.

Methods: 50 males aged 50–65 years with TDS (Aging Males Symptoms Scale [AMS]?>?26 and calculated free testosterone [cFT] 250?pmol/l) were administered 50?mg testosterone gel daily for one year. During the second year, patients received 1000?mg of testosterone undecanoate every 2–3 months. Outcome measures were clinical chemistry values and total testosterone; sex hormone-binding globulin and cFT, changes in AMS and International Prostate Symptom Score; and changes in body composition measured by dual-energy-x-ray absorptiometry.

Results: There were no clinically significant changes in clinical chemistry safety parameters. There were significant improvements in both total and cFT and in AMS scores after three months (p?Conclusions: Testosterone treatment in males with TDS leads to body changes affecting lean and fat mass with significant improvement in AMS scores, and has an excellent safety profile.