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Low testosterone linked to frailty in older men

Older men with relatively low testosterone levels have a higher risk of frailty.

Low testosterone linked to frailty in older men

Older men with relatively low testosterone levels have a higher risk of frailty.

Testosterone helps men maintain their bone density, muscle mass and strength, and red blood cell production. Levels of the hormone naturally decline with age, and studies have linked lower testosterone levels in older men to problems such as diabetes, depression and bone fractures, and even a shorter lifespan. But whether declining testosterone levels are a cause of older men's health problems is not certain. And so far, studies have come to mixed conclusions as to whether giving older men extra testosterone can improve their physical function. Some have found that testosterone - given orally or by skin patch or injection, seems to build older men's muscle mass and reduce body fat, but do not translate into greater mobility, strength or overall functioning.

To assess the association between frailty and testosterone levels, researchers studied 3,616 Australian men, aged between 70 and 88 years. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale, comprising five factors - fatigue, difficulty climbing a flight of stairs, difficulty walking more than 100 metres, more than five illnesses present, or weight loss >5%. Blood levels of testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were tested at baseline The researchers were able to reassess 1,586 of those men four to seven years later.

At the first examination, 15 percent of the men were considered frail, which meant that they had at least three of five signs of deteriorating health on the FRAIL scale. In general, it was found that men whose total testosterone levels were below the average for the study group were more likely to be frail. Moreover, lower-than average levels of free testosterone were related to a higher risk of becoming frail over the next four to seven years.

Since it is not yet proven that testosterone replacement can prevent or treat frailty, the researchers recommend older men to lead a healthy lifestyle to help reduce their risk of frailty.
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