The efficacy of androgen replacement therapy in men with late-onset hypogonadism

BackgroundLate-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is defined as subnormal serum testosterone (T) levels in connection with an array of physical, psychic and sexual symptoms, generally related to male hypogonadism. Recent studies show that it is generally recognized that serum T, in normal range, has important roles for prevention of the onset of adult disease such as diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we have actively provided LOH patients with androgen replacement therapy (ART).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to clinically assess the efficacy and side effects of ART in men with LOH.MethodsThe study included 64 patients diagnosed with LOH and treated with ART at least as long as 6 months at our institution. Questionnaires with age, aging male symptom (AMS) scale, and androgen decline in the aging male (ADAM) were examined. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for sex hormones, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and plasma glucose.ResultsPsychological and physical symptoms scores, measured by the AMS scale and the ADAM questionnaire, were significantly improved after ART (P < 0.05). TC, HDL and LDL cholesterol, TG, AST, ALT, γ-GTP, and plasma glucose were not significantly different before and after the therapy.ConclusionsART for men with LOH may cause favorable changes in psychological and physical conditions. However, further investigations are necessary to determine long-term effects of the therapy.