Testosterone Therapy May Reduce Bone Loss in Older Men

A recent study at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston suggests that injections of testosterone appear to improve bone density and reduce bone loss in older men who have low testosterone levels and may help to prevent osteoporosis.

The testosterone therapy has been used to improve muscle mass and bone strength in some men. However, the hormone treatment is controversial, because it has been associated with increasing the risk of prostate cancer and high levels of red blood cells. The preliminary data of this study show beneficial effects of testosterone therapy on bone turnover markers in older men with low-to-normal testosterone concentrations using both continuous and monthly cycled testosterone replacement

The study results were expected to be presented April 7 at the American Physiological Society’s annual meeting, during the Experimental Biology 2008 conference, in San Diego.