Testosterone Tag

Study: Testosterone Supplements Cause Plaque Buildup

A new study adds to the growing body of evidence connecting testosterone supplements and heart disease. The National Institutes of Health studied 170 men with an average age slightly above 70, which is the target age group for many testosterone supplements. Study participants who used AndroGel for more than twelve months had a 20 percent higher rate of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries due to plaque. Such participants also had higher rates of heart disease in general. Despite the known side effects, ads for testosterone supplements routinely tout benefits for older men, almost equating low-t therapy with the fountain of...

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Six Ways To Boost Testosterone Levels Without Dangerous Drugs

Large numbers of men use dangerous testosterone supplements to deal with common issues such as increased fatigue, foul moods, and decreased sexual function that are commonly associated with “male menopause,” but such supplements have potentially deadly side effects. Fortunately, research has also shown that there are a number of ways to increase testosterone levels naturally and more gradually without dangerous testosterone supplements.

As Seen On TV: Media Ads Increase Supplement Sales

Even though there may be more evidence to support serious side effects than product efficacy, the “low-T” ads prominently featured on television have caused a surge in testosterone supplement sales, according to a recent study.

Most of the ads ran in the southeast and Great Lakes region, where some men saw up to fourteen commercials a month, or 200 such commercials during the study period. The study concluded that every commercial triggered an increase in testosterone testing, new prescriptions, and especially in prescriptions without testing. Dr. Richard Kravitz, who sits on the faculty at the University of California-Davis, said that this latest testosterone study underscored the sometimes harmful effects of patient advertising.

Studies: Testosterone Doesn’t Help Most Men

According to a new group of studies, testosterone therapy may help some men get stronger bones, but it does almost nothing for sexual problems, anemia, and other issues; furthermore, this treatment plan carries serious health risks that can be fatal.

The much-anticipated TTrials surveyed almost 800 men in twelve different locations nationwide. Many men in the group showed significantly higher bone density levels after receiving aggressive testosterone replacement therapy. Many men also reported having more energy, and some findings did indicate elevated hemoglobin levels in these patients, but some professional reviewers questioned the validity of these findings. The studies found no link between testosterone levels and cognition or sex drive, but researchers found a definite link between testosterone and heart problems.

FDA Warns Of Testosterone Supplement Dangers

The Food and Drug Administration recently ordered testosterone supplement manufacturers to add warnings about the risk of drug dependence and possible side effects.

Doctors may prescribe steroids to certain patients who suffer from certain medical conditions. However, many doctors also give these drugs to men over 40 who have symptoms of “male menopause,” even though there is comparatively little evidence that such a condition indeed exists. The federal government, and most state governments, classify anabolic steroids as Schedule III dangerous drugs because they are very addictive, especially if taken beyond what the doctor orders. Additionally, recent evidence has established additional links between testosterone supplements and serious side effects, including heart failure, personality changes, and liver disease.

A little over 6,000 cases have been consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois, and the first bellwether trial is set to begin in June 2017.

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