Testosterone gel supplements appear to improve anemia in older men, but may increase risk of heart disease

For older men with low testosterone levels, taking testosterone supplements appears to improve anemia but may increase the risk of heart disease, according to a series of new studies that provides a fuller picture of testosterone benefits and risks. One of the new studies found that men with anemia, or a deficiency of red blood cells, had their condition improve with testosterone gel supplements. Another study found that older men with low testosterone levels who used testosterone gel had a higher risk of coronary artery plaque, which is linked to heart disease.  The studies were partly funded by NHLBI and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.