In addition, some research shows that testosterone therapy may increase the risk of heart disease. You should talk to your doctor about. Earlier observational studies suggested that long-term use of testosterone could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Testosterone is also known to stimulate the growth of prostate cancer in men who have been diagnosed with this condition.
Recent clinical trials, which provide more accurate information compared to observational studies, have provided some peace of mind regarding the risks of heart and prostate cancer. For men who are clearly deficient in testosterone, there is no apparent increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke or of developing a new prostate cancer from testosterone replacement therapy. The current report found no increased risk of death in men receiving testosterone therapy for up to 15 years. In addition, in the analysis of the subgroups, there were no differences in risk depending on the type of testosterone therapy or the baseline levels of testosterone.
Many men and a surprising number of providers don't realize that taking exogenous (synthetic) or over-the-counter testosterone supplements can have harmful side effects if not properly administered. If you alter your testosterone levels without the supervision of a qualified specialist, you can cause other health problems, such as testicular atrophy, infertility and an increased risk of prostate cancer. It's important to recognize that several reliable sources rule out the risk of experiencing profound withdrawal symptoms or unwanted long-term dependence. The prescribing information for each of the testosterone gel supplements is reassuring: “Drug dependence has not been documented in people using therapeutic doses of anabolic steroids for approved indications (see prescribing information, paragraph 9.3, on the respective commercial websites).
However, until now there have been no well-designed studies evaluating the risk of long-term dependence on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). As the adage goes: “The absence of evidence does not constitute proof of absence. Clinics with low testosterone levels tend to overtreat and make general recommendations around the patient's total testosterone and not their individual health needs. Testosterone replacement therapy prevents alterations in coronary vascular reactivity caused by castration-induced hormone deficiency.
To follow up with a patient undergoing testosterone replacement treatment, the provider must check their prostatic specific antigen (PSA), a natural protein that, at high levels, is associated with the risk of prostate cancer. Oz Show: “Many men don't know that TRT interrupts men's natural hormone production, often causing testosterone producing cells to stop working and their testicles to soften and shrink. The aggressive pressure they exert on doctors to prescribe testosterone borders on medical irresponsibility. Research on the long-term use of testosterone substitutes consistently demonstrates sustained benefits, in some cases following patients for decades.
In fact, most of what we know about abnormally high testosterone levels in men comes from athletes who use anabolic steroids, testosterone, or related hormones to increase muscle mass and athletic performance. Having a normal level of bioavailable testosterone tells us that your body is producing enough testosterone and that you probably won't benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Because prostate cancer is so common, doctors tend to be wary of prescribing testosterone to men who may have a higher-than-average risk of having undiagnosed prostate cancer. Among women, perhaps the most common cause of high testosterone is polycystic ovary syndrome (SOUP).
It's also possible that these conditions cause low testosterone levels, so treatment may cause increased testosterone levels. However, a healthy level for you depends on your age, lifestyle, and level of bioavailable testosterone, meaning free testosterone that your body doesn't use for its daily functions. If you don't have any medical conditions that contribute to a decrease in testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend natural ways to increase testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.
