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Testosterone treatment in elderly men with subnormal testosterone levels improves body composition and BMD in the hip

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 20, pages 378–387 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Our intention was to examine if subnormal testosterone levels in older men were associated with a reduction in quality of life and physical and mental health, and secondly to examine if testosterone treatment could improve these conditions. We performed a nested case–control study and a 1-year testosterone intervention study. Men with subnormal testosterone had significantly higher weight, fat mass and abdominal adipose tissue. They also had significantly higher glucose and insulin levels, and they had higher triglyceride levels. Testosterone treatment had a large impact on body composition with reduced fat mass and abdominal adipose tissue and increased fat-free mass, but it did not affect weight and glucose and lipid metabolism. Bone mineral density in the hip was significantly higher after the testosterone treatment. Older men with subnormal testosterone levels had an unfavorable metabolic profile. Testosterone treatment improved body composition, but it did not reverse the unfavorable metabolic profile.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the patients for their participation and patience throughout the study and the staff at the Clinical Research Unit for their excellent work. The study was supported by a grant from Center for Research in the Elderly in Tromsø. Bayer Schering Pharma AG is recognized for providing the study medication free of charge and an independent grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    J Svartberg, I Agledahl & R Jorde

  2. Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    J Svartberg & R Jorde

  3. Department of Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Y Figenschau

  4. Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    Y Figenschau

  5. Department of Radiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    T Sildnes

  6. Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    K Waterloo

  7. Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    K Waterloo

Authors
  1. J Svartberg
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  2. I Agledahl
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  3. Y Figenschau
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  4. T Sildnes
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  5. K Waterloo
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  6. R Jorde
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Correspondence to J Svartberg.

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Svartberg, J., Agledahl, I., Figenschau, Y. et al. Testosterone treatment in elderly men with subnormal testosterone levels improves body composition and BMD in the hip. Int J Impot Res 20, 378–387 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2008.19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2008.19

Keywords

  • testosterone
  • hypogonadism
  • treatment
  • elderly
  • body composition

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