Long-term testosterone replacement therapy reduces fatigue in men with hypogonadism

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a primary treatment for hypogonadism.
• Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) affects men with symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of TRT on fatigue, coronary artery disease (CAD), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and cardiovascular risk in men with LOH.
• To compare outcomes in men with LOH on TRT for over one year versus newly diagnosed men starting TRT.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study included men over 18 with LOH symptoms and low testosterone levels.
• The study group had LOH and were on TRT for >1 year; the control group had newly diagnosed LOH starting TRT.
• Evaluated fatigue, CAD, CIMT, and cardiovascular risk using standardized measures.

Main Results:

• Men on TRT for >1 year reported significantly lower fatigue scores compared to controls (23.5 vs. 39.2).
• CAD prevalence was lower in the TRT group (9.1%) versus controls (46.7%), but not significant in multivariable analysis.
• No significant differences were found in CIMT or overall cardiovascular risk between groups.

Conclusions:

• TRT for over one year is associated with substantial improvement in fatigue for men with LOH.
• TRT did not demonstrate significant effects on CIMT, CAD rates, or cardiovascular risk in this cohort.