As men get older, many of them experience a decline in hormone levels, which has been linked to many signs and symptoms of ageing. In a Dutch University medical center study the use of testosterone supplements has been shown to increase lean body mass and reduce fat mass in older men, but has failed to show an improvement in functional mobility, bone mineral density, muscle strength or mental ability.

The study involved 237 healthy men between 60 and 80 years of age who had low normal testosterone levels. They were randomized to receive 80 mg of testosterone undecenoate twice daily or placebo for 6 months. The findings do not support a net benefit on several indicators of health and functional or cognitive performance.

Throughout the study lean body mass rose and fat mass fell in the testosterone group. This however did not translate into improved functional mobility or muscle strength. There were also no significant changes in cognitive function or bone mineral density noted with testosterone use. Testosterone supplementation had mixed metabolic effects. It enhanced insulin sensitivity (the body responded more efficiently to the effects of insulin) but also led to a drop in “good” HDL cholesterol.

By the end of the study 47.8 percent of testosterone-treated men had metabolic syndrome compared with 35.5 percent of those given placebo. Metabolic syndrome is an increasingly common condition characterized by a clustering of risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar and low HDL cholesterol that raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Testosterone use also had little effect on quality of life.

Source: Effect of Testosterone Supplementation on Functional Mobility, Cognition, and Other Parameters in Older Men (JAMA)