Differences in age, geography, date of initial testing (testosterone immunoassay testing was more commonly used before 2005), comorbid conditions, and baseline and therapeutic testosterone levels across studies introduce heterogeneity in the pooled population. There is no utility in continuing testosterone therapy in men who achieve target testosterone levels without symptom improvement. Patients on testosterone therapy should have serum testosterone levels checked every 6-12 months to ensure maintenance of target levels. It is the opinion of this Panel that total testosterone should be tested after the commencement of therapy at a time point that allows a patient to be sufficiently established on a dosing regimen before determining if therapeutic levels have been achieved and if dosing alterations are required. While seven of the trials in the above analysis showed decreased, but statistically insignificant, odds of having a cardiac event while on testosterone therapy, one trial did show an increased risk. The risk corresponded to an additional 10 cases per 10,000 person-years, which, while low in absolute terms, raised concern about using testosterone therapy in men who may be at increased risk for VTE prior to commencement of therapy.362 Overall, seven studies reported no benefits on QoL in men using testosterone therapy compared to placebo,199, 205, 212, 225, 226, 230, 303, 318 while five studies demonstrated improvements.203, 317, 319, 328, 329 The impact of testosterone therapy on QoL in men with testosterone deficiency is challenging to quantify due to variable study methodology and inherent limitations with standardized questionnaires. However, when patients were requested to assess their global impression of change regarding energy level, men receiving testosterone were significantly more likely to rate changes as a little or much better compared to placebo (approximately 15% more in testosterone cohort). Another meta-analysis of RCTs performed by Cai324 concluded that testosterone therapy in diabetic men improved fasting glucose levels (mean difference -1.1 points), fasting serum insulin levels (mean difference -2.73), and HbA1c (mean difference -0.87). An increase in BMD is an important potential benefit of testosterone therapy for men who might be at risk for LTBF. In trials, patients with low testosterone have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in erectile function, anemia, BMD, lean body mass, and depressive symptoms. All men with testosterone deficiency should be counseled regarding lifestyle modifications as a treatment strategy. Patients should be informed that there is no definitive evidence linking testosterone therapy to a higher incidence of venothrombolic events. Patients should be informed that the evidence is inconclusive whether testosterone therapy improves cognitive function, measures of diabetes, energy, fatigue, lipid profiles, and quality of life measures. "Hormone production follows what’s called a diurnal rhythm, where your levels are lowest around midnight and they peak in the early morning," Dr. Pantalone says. If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, talk with a healthcare provider to be evaluated. In some cases, properly managing these conditions can increase your testosterone to a normal range and reduce your symptoms. The manufacturer-recommended dosing of IM testosterone undecanoate is 750 mg administered at weeks 0, 4, and every 10 weeks thereafter. No RCTs have compared the current formulation of IM testosterone undecanoate available in the United States to other therapies. The best time to obtain monitoring blood tests for IM testosterone has not been definitively established. The optimal dosing strategy has not been defined for short-acting IM testosterone preparations. Mean testosterone values over a 7-day time period were 1,659, 896, and 422 ng/dL for IM testosterone SQ 100, and SQ 50, respectively. The half-life for IM testosterone was also shorter at 173 hours versus 240 hours for SQ testosterone. It was decided that a cut-off value was critical to define testosterone deficiency and that this cut-off be based on at least two total testosterone levels drawn in an early morning fashion at the same laboratory using the same assay. The care of testosterone deficient patients should focus on accurate assessment of testosterone levels, symptoms and signs as well as proper on-treatment monitoring to ensure therapeutic testosterone levels are reached and symptoms are ameliorated. Some studies suggest that supplements like ashwagandha could increase testosterone levels, improving muscle mass and strength when combined with resistance training. For example, one 2020 study evaluated the effectiveness of 50 supplements that claimed to boost testosterone levels, increase libido, and increase strength. Though testosterone therapy prescribed by a doctor can increase testosterone levels, research on the effectiveness of over-the-counter supplements has turned up mixed results. Additionally, a 2015 study also found that ashwagandha increased testosterone levels in males over an 8-week period. Expert Opinion refers to a statement, achieved by consensus of the Panel, that is based on members' clinical training, experience, knowledge, and judgment for which there is no evidence. A Clinical Principle is a statement about a component of clinical care that is widely agreed upon by urologists or other clinicians for which there may or may not be evidence in the medical literature. Where gaps in the evidence existed, the Panel provides guidance in the form of Clinical Principles or Expert Opinion with consensus achieved using a modified Delphi technique if differences of opinion emerged. Conditional Recommendations also can be supported by any evidence strength. The research on shilajit is still in baby shoes, but one interesting study has been made about its effects on testosterone levels216. One study even found out that creatine supplementation in resistance trained males led to 17% higher baseline testosterone levels than what was seen in the placebo group which received sugar pills192. In overtrained men who practice resistance training, creatine maintains power output, free testosterone, and total testosterone levels191. Specifically, the odds ratio for developing ED in men with total testosterone 6 used a single question to define ED and also showed an increase in ED risk as total testosterone levels decreased. The cut-off of 300 ng/dL was chosen based on the mean total testosterone levels cited in the best available literature with a view to maximizing the potential benefit from prescribing testosterone while minimizing the risks of such treatment. In fact, one 2021 study showed that DHEA supplementation significantly increased testosterone levels and improved body composition in older females. Research has linked these healthy fats and vitamin D, which are abundant in fatty fish, with increased testosterone levels. Although the committee reviewing the evidence concluded that there was not enough data to definitively state that testosterone therapy posed a significant cardiovascular risk, the FDA nonetheless required testosterone product manufacturers to add information to the labeling about a possible increased risk of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents in patients using testosterone therapy. If patients achieve target testosterone levels, but do not feel that they have sufficient improvement in their symptoms, clinicians should question whether testosterone deficiency is the etiology of their symptoms. Studies that randomized overweight or obese men to diet and exercise programs had significantly greater increases in total testosterone levels than men who underwent calorie reduction or exercise programs alone.378, 379 It is also postulated that men who engage in quantitatively more exercise have the greatest increases in serum testosterone from baseline.378