One of the reasons the NIA requested this IOM report is because of growing concern about the increase in the number of men using testosterone replacement therapy in the absence of sufficient scientific information about its risks and benefits. This concern remains. This report offers an initial approach to addressing this problem.
We will consider the IOM recommendations very carefully, including options for implementing the type of trials suggested in the IOM report. In particular, the recommendation that researchers focus their initial efforts on conducting short-term, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies of testosterone in symptomatic older men with low testosterone levels to determine the potential risks and benefits seems to be a reasonable strategy. While there may be risk of yet unknown consequences, there is also some prospect of potential benefit for men with low testosterone levels who have one or more symptoms that might be related to deficiency of this hormone. Consideration of any trials to assess longer term risks and benefits of testosterone therapy should be contingent on the results of these shorter-term studies.
We concur with the IOM's recommendation that any trial be designed in such a way that it elicits useful information about the effects of testosterone therapy on a variety of conditions associated with deficiencies of this hormone. These problems, including frailty, disability and sexual and cognitive disorders, are serious concerns for older men, and it is important to learn more about the potential risks and benefi
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Contact: Doug Dollemore
dollemod@nia.nih.gov
301-496-1752
NIH/National Institute on Aging
12-Nov-2003