Testosterone Replacement Therapy May Correct Anemia in Hypogonadal Men

Recent research suggests that testosterone deficiency can lead to mild anemia in men with hypogonadism. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial, nested within the TRAVERSE study, aimed to assess the efficacy of TRT in correcting anemia and preventing its development in men with hypogonadism. The study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of TRT in addressing anemia in this population.

This study was published in JAMA Network Open by Karol M. and colleagues. The trial included 5,204 men, 815 of whom had anemia, and 4,379 without anemia, all with hypogonadism. The study covered data from May 2018 to January 2023. Participants were randomized to receive either 1.62% testosterone gel or a placebo gel daily for the study's duration.

In Men with Anemia:

The mean age of the participants with anemia was 64.8 years, with 30.3% Black, 66.7% White, and 2.9% from other racial backgrounds.

Anemia corrected in a significantly greater proportion of men who received testosterone treatment compared to those who received a placebo at various time points:

• At 6 months: 143 of 349 men (41.0%) in the testosterone group vs. 103 of 375 men (27.5%) in the placebo group.
• At 12 months: 152 of 338 men (45.0%) in the testosterone group vs. 122 of 360 men (33.9%) in the placebo group.
• At 24 months: 124 of 290 men (42.8%) in the testosterone group vs. 95 of 307 men (30.9%) in the placebo group.
• At 36 months: 94 of 216 men (43.5%) in the testosterone group vs. 76 of 229 men (33.2%) in the placebo group.
• At 48 months: 41 of 92 men (44.6%) in the testosterone group vs. 38 of 97 men (39.2%) in the placebo group.
• The differences observed were statistically significant (P = 0.002).

In Men without Anemia:

• Among participants without anemia, a significantly smaller proportion of men who received testosterone treatment developed anemia compared to those who received a placebo.
• Changes in hemoglobin levels were associated with changes in energy levels.

These findings shed light on the potential benefits of TRT in addressing anemia in men with hypogonadism. Correcting and preventing anemia can significantly impact the quality of life and overall health of these individuals. As such, TRT may offer a promising therapeutic option for managing anemia in this population.

Reference:

Pencina, K. M., Travison, T. G., Artz, A. S., Lincoff, A. M., Nissen, S. E., Flevaris, P., Chan, A., Li, X., Diegel, S. A., Wannemuehler, K., & Bhasin, S. Efficacy of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in correcting anemia in men with hypogonadism: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open,2023;6(10):e2340030. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40030