Testosterone treatment in men with erectile disorder and low levels of total testosterone in serum

Since decreased serum levels of testosterone (T) do not necessarily predict good outcome of testosterone treatment for erectile disorder, the purpose, of this study was to determine which men with erectile disorder and decreased serum levels might benefit from treatment. From a sample of 31 men (mean age = 39 years), 15 (48%) with erectile disorder and decreased serum levels of T responded well after 8 weeks of testosterone treatment (100 mg of testosterone propionate in the sustained-release form given im once a week). Good treatment outcome was associated with several variables, but only high levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and low values of the T/LH (testosterone/LH) ratio consistently emerged as significant correlates and/or predictors of effective treatment. Levels of LH above 7.5 IU/L or the values of the T/LH ratio equal to or below 0.87 nmol/IU in patients with erectile disorder and decreased serum levels of T suggest that testosterone treatment may be effective.