Should you be taking testosterone?

Key Points:

• Testosterone is a key sex hormone present in all genders, influencing hair growth, muscle mass, libido, bone health, and fertility, with levels naturally declining with age.
• Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is effective for individuals diagnosed with clinically low testosterone due to medical conditions, but it carries potential risks such as fertility decline, acne, and cardiovascular concerns.
• Large clinical trials like the TTrials and TRAVERSE have shown TRT can improve sexual function, mood, and bone density in men with low testosterone but may increase risks of irregular heartbeat, blood clots, and bone fractures.
• Low testosterone diagnosis typically requires multiple blood tests showing levels below approximately 300 ng/dl, with greater therapy benefits seen at levels under 200 ng/dl; low testosterone without an underlying medical cause is relatively uncommon.
• Testosterone-boosting supplements lack strong scientific evidence for efficacy, and their health claims are not regulated by the FDA, making their benefits questionable and potentially unsafe.