More research needed to prescribe testosterone for older men
Further research is needed to determine the risks and advantages of testosterone supplementation for older men, according to an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Professor David Handelsman, director of the ANZAC Research Institute at Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, reviewed two recent research articles on prescribing testosterone for older men.
“Australia’s national guidelines for testosterone use, developed in 2000 and adopted by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme as the criteria for subsidised testosterone prescriptions, are vindicated,” Professor Handelsman said.
“They aim to restrict testosterone prescribing for age-related androgen deficiency without hindering it for pathologically based androgen deficiency.
“It is evident that bans need to be reinforced on direct-to-public advertising of testosterone supplementation.
“Without this protection, an avalanche of misguided testosterone prescribing awaits us. Testosterone prescribing for older men is best restricted to clinical trials where ethical oversight ensures appropriate design and warnings to participants.”
