Home | News & Events

Boost for Men's Trial

PHI Researcher, Dr Carolyn Allan, was recently featured on Channel 7 News and also spoke to Kochie and Natalie on the Channel 7 Sunrise breakfast show about a clinical trial looking to boost the testosterone levels of older men.

All women will go through menopause but not all men will have a fall in testosterone levels. PHI researcher, Dr Carolyn Allan says that “men’s testosterone levels fall gradually by about 1% a year from the age of 30 onwards. About 1 in 10 men over the age of 60 have low testosterone levels and there may be a real medical benefit in boosting their testosterone levels.”
It’s estimated a quarter of a million Australian men over 55 have low testosterone levels and most don’t know it. This could be a reason they’re losing muscle tone and gaining fat around the middle. Other symptoms of low testosterone include irritability, mood swings, poor concentration, reduced energy levels and a lower sex drive.

Studies have also shown a link between low testosterone and heart disease, diabetes and early risk of death. PHI researchers are looking at the effect of testosterone on fat mass and muscle strength.

One of the volunteers taking part in the study is 55 year old, Port Melbourne businessman Terry Wicks. He’s among sixty Melbourne men who volunteered to take part in a testosterone trial, which involved monthly injections to determine whether this kind of hormone replacement therapy can help men.

Preliminary trial results have already shown that those men given testosterone kept muscle tone and were less likely to gain weight.

However, the results have not been finalised. Scientists now believe a hit of testosterone may well be able to slow down the symptoms. Dr Carolyn Allan says that “for some men, there is no doubt there is a role for testosterone therapy”.


© Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research Disclaimer | Links to other sites
ABN 77 601 754 678