January 5 , 2008 – Research published in the January 2, 2008 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found no net benefit from the male hormone testosterone when given for six months to healthy males between the ages of 60 and 80 years with low blood levels of the hormone. Hormones including testosterone have become a focus of interest and promotion as having possible beneficial anti-aging effects.

The research was conducted by investigators from Utrect and Groningen universities in the Netherlands. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study the scientific “gold” standard for determining whether or not a drug actually works.

The investigators followed 237 healthy males with low testosterone levels given either 80 milligrams of testosterone undecenoate (Andriol Testocaps) or an inactive placebo twice daily for six months. The investigators assessed the men’s functional mobility, handgrip and leg extensor strength, cognitive function, bone mineral density, body composition, and quality of life at the beginning and end of the studies.

The results of the study showed that cognitive function and bone mineral density did not change. During the study, lean body mass increased and fat mass decreased in those given testosterone compared with the subjects receiving the placebo but this was not accompanied by an increase of functional mobility or muscle strength. Cognitive function and bone mineral density did not change. The quality of life assessment was the same for both testosterone and placebo subjects except for one measure.

The authors of the study concluded:

“The findings in this study do not support a net benefit on several indicators of health and functional and cognitive performance with 6 months of modest testosterone supplementation in health men with circulating testosterone levels in the lower range.”

The following is a list of testosterone containing products available in Saudi Arabia:

Testosterone Undecanoate 40 Mg Caps (Andriol Testocaps 40mg)

Testosterone 1% Gel (Androgel 1% Gel)

Testosterone Propionate 25mg+Testosterone Enantate 110mg (Sustanon 100 Amp)

Testosterone Esters 250 Mg/Ml Syringe (Sustanon 250 Amp)

Testosterone Enantate 250mg/Ml Amps (Testoviron Depot 250mg/1ml Amp)

ACTIONS THAT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND PUBLIC SHOULD FOLLOW:

Patients should not be taking testosterone or testosterone containing products as an anti-aging treatment.

Physicians should not be prescribing testosterone or testosterone containing products as an anti-aging treatment.

Source: JAMA. 2008;299(1):39-52.