Testosterone Horse Still Leading the Cart in Healthy Aging

Testosterone levels associated with heart disease and obesity

(RxWiki News) If this mule can pull, let's hitch him up. Once again, aging men may be expecting less of themselves than they should. Once accepted notions regarding aging and its accompanying consequences are being challenged. Consequences of unhealthy aging make for lower testosterone levels.

Current research holds the belief that age-related testosterone deficiency contributes to the deteriorating health of older men, which includes symptoms including loss of libido and general fatigue.

"Maintain a fit, healthy life style to maximize testosterone levels."

A new study led by David Handelsman, MD, PhD, professor and director of the ANZAC Research Institute at the University of Sydney reports that these beliefs may not be entirely true. The results of this new study indicate that the decline in blood testosterone in older men may be due to the obesity and heart disease that sometimes accompany aging.

Three-hundred and twenty five men over the age of 40 (median age, 60) from two different study centers in Australia  who had self-reported excellent health and no symptom complaints were recruited for his study.

Blood samples were taken from the men nine times over three months. No men taking testosterone-enhancing drugs were included in the study.

Handelsman summarizes the findings by reporting that the research found that obesity prompted a slight lowering of blood testosterone levels. Additionally, the study found that age had no significant impact whatsoever on testosterone levels.

Handelsman suggests that the results show that older men with low testosterone levels do not need testosterone therapy unless they have diseases of their pituitary or testes. Healthy living takes care of the rest.

Review Date: 
June 7, 2011