Both male and female PHAs can develop less-than-normal levels of testosterone. Reduced levels of this hormone have been linked to the following complications:
Dr. Peter Ford and colleagues in Kingston, Ontario, have been studying the impact of regular injections of testosterone injections (200 mg every three weeks) in male PHAs. His research team has reported results on 40 PHAs, 17 of whom were using testosterone for about 1½ years.
The team found that testosterone users were more likely to have fat located deep in the abdomen, around internal organs, than subjects not using testosterone. This fat build-up is likely due to age and use of HAART. Testosterone users had less fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat) than non-users. Perhaps more importantly, compared to non-users, PHAs who used testosterone had the following lipid profile:
These differences between users and non-users of testosterone were statistically significant; that is, not likely due to chance alone. If these differences are maintained over the long-term, testosterone users may be at increased risk of cardiovascular illness.
Perhaps the development of testosterone creams and gels, which supply lower, more natural levels of this hormone, may be as useful and possibly safer than injections of high doses of testosterone. Clinical trials of low-dose testosterone in PHAs would be useful in dealing with this issue.
REFERENCE
Ford P, Tenzif S, Wobeser W, et al. Dyslipidemia and body composition effects of testosterone cypionate in a group of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario, Canada. Abstract 62 - 3rd International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV, 23-26 October 2001, Athens, Greece.
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