Tough to predict testosterone that is low older males using data on younger men

a brand new research posted in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) highlights the difficulty in defining and managing age-related testosterone older guys.

doctors generally use the definition of low hypogonadism or testosterone present in younger men to diagnose and treat older guys for low testosterone. Hypogonadism is divided into two groups. Initial includes certain symptoms, such as delayed development that is sexual impaired intimate function, less facial and body hair, small testes, low bone mineral density along with other signs due to underlying disease. The team that is second more basic signs, such as for instance reduced energy and motivation, depressed mood, bad concentration and lack of muscles.

To understand the accuracy of utilizing signs or symptoms to anticipate testosterone that is low older men, scientists conducted a systematic review of 40 studies on hypogonadism in ageing men that included 37 565 patients with a mean chronilogical age of over 40 years.

"We found correlation that is poor indications, signs and testosterone levels, uncertainty in what limit testosterone levels should be considered low for aging guys, and wide variation in estimated prevalence of the condition," stated Dr. Adam Millar, an associate professor during the University of Toronto and doctor at Mount Sinai Hospital, part of Sinai Health System, in Toronto, Ontario.

Study restrictions included different options for measuring testosterone throughout the included research, small sample sizes and inconsistent consideration of other health issues.

"Our considerable overview of all clinical studies posted up to now shows that in guys avove the age of 40, the observable symptoms and physical signs which can be classically present in young men whom suffer with pathological hypogonadism, caused by infection within the testes or gland that is pituitary correlate poorly with their testosterone levels," said Dr. Allan Detsky, a professor during the University of Toronto and a physician at Mount Sinai Hospital. "These outcomes suggest we diagnose pathologic hypogonadism in more youthful men to older men who have age-related decreases in testosterone levels. it is tough to extrapolate just how"

The authors noted the debate that is significant testosterone replacement therapy in older men.

the analysis had been carried out by researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital, University wellness system, ladies' College Hospital as well as the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Durham Veterans Affairs infirmary and Duke University, Durham, vermont, usa.

Article: Predicting low testosterone in the aging process guys: a systematic review, Adam C. Millar, MD MScCH, Adrian N.C. Lau, MD, George Tomlinson, PhD, Alan Kraguljac, MSc, David L. Simel, MD MHS, Allan S. Detsky, MD PhD, Lorraine L. Lipscombe, MD MSc, CMAJ, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.150262, published 20 2016 june.