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Low testosterone may increase men's risk of Alzheimer's disease

Category: Male Specific Tests

Testosterone testing may help men avoid more than just the sexual side effects that come with low levels of the hormone. A recent study has shown that testosterone deficiency may also increase of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Awareness of testosterone levels has increased in recent years. Many men are now on the lookout for its symptoms, which often include decreased libido, lack of energy and depression.

However, researchers from St. Louis University found that low testosterone levels may also predispose men to cognitive impairment. For the study, they followed the medical records of 153 men over age 55. Within a year, ten of the men had developed probable Alzheimer's disease. All of these participants had significantly low levels of testosterone.

John Morley, who led the investigation, said that the findings point to the importance of testosterone testing for men, especially if they are already experiencing memory problems.

"Having low testosterone may make you more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease," he said. "The take-home message is we should pay more attention to low testosterone, particularly in people who have memory problems or other signs of cognitive impairment."