Table 3.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in Men with Low T Levels
| Possible benefit or risk | |
|---|---|
| Sexual function | Small to moderate improvement in libido, sexual activity |
| Erectile function | Possible small improvement |
| Quality of life | Small improvement, driven mostly by improvement in sexual function |
| Physical function | No significant effect on self-reported or objectively assessed performance measures |
| Vitality or fatigue | No significant effect |
| Cognitive function | No significant effect |
| Mood | No significant effect |
| Body composition | Increases lean mass; no significant effect on physical function |
| Bone mineral density | No effect or small increase; no reduction in fracture risk |
| Glycemic control | Uncertain effect; not recommended to improve glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus |
| Lipid profile | No significant effect; may improve TG or worsen HDL-C slightly |
| CV events | Uncertain |
| Mortality | Uncertain |
| Prostate cancer | Uncertain risk; monitor PSA; contraindicated in men with suspected prostate cancer |
| Erythrocytosis | Increases hemoglobin and hematocrit; monitor CBC |
| Fertility | Decreases sperm count; not appropriate for men who desire fertility in the near future |
| LUTS | No worsening |
| Fluid retention | May cause fluid retention and edema |
| OSA | May worsen sleep apnea among patients with OSA |