Extra Testosterone Helps Lung Condition

A boost of testosterone may help men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The disease causes a number of lung problems that make breathing difficult, which can lead to fatigue and less physical exertion. In a study of 74 men with COPD and low-normal testosterone levels, the researchers examined the effects of testosterone supplementation.

The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: testosterone supplementation and strength training; placebo and strength training; testosterone and no strength training; or placebo and no strength training. After 10 weeks, the researchers discovered that both testosterone groups demonstrated a major increase in lean body mass. The results amounted to an average increase of 2.3 kg (about 5 lb) in those given testosterone alone and 3.3 kg (a little >7 lb) in the training and testosterone group. Furthermore, the researchers learned that maximum leg strength increased by 17% with either testosterone alone or training alone, but by 27% with both. (The findings were reported recently in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.)