Testosterone, HIV, and cardiovascular disease risk

Abstract

There has been a recent increase in the use of testosterone supplementation among young adults in the United States, despite the controversy of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and cardiovascular safety. The lower testosterone levels and earlier age of TRT use in persons living with HIV (PLHIV) is of particular relevance for this population because cardiovascular disease (CVD) comorbidities are known to be increased among PLHIV. There is very limited data on TRT in PLHIV, as such, in this article, we sought to compile current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of testosterone deficiency and its link to CVD risk including among PLHIV.