After observational studies suggested that HRT had a range of positive effects on post-menopausal women - raising sex drive and lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart disease - it was heavily promoted by doctors.
Then a randomised control trial was completed which found that HRT increased the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. But if you start treating people with other problems then generally they don't - they pop up with adverse effects.
And some of the adverse effects of testosterone treatment may be popping up now. A study published in January on PLOS One , looked at the medical records of 55, men who had been prescribed testosterone. It found that men over the age of 65 doubled their risk of heart attack in the 90 days after being given their prescription - for those over 65 with a history of heart disease the incidence rose from seven per 1, per year to 16 per per year after taking the supplements, for those with no history of heart disease, it rose from four per 1, per year to 10 per 1, per year..
Yet the PLOS One study, and others like it, have been criticised since there is no indication that the men in the samples had been monitored to check their testosterone levels weren't overshooting the target, or even that they had been diagnosed properly in the first place.
Before being prescribed testosterone, patients should have a baseline measurement taken on an empty stomach in the morning. But research published last year found that a quarter of men in a very large US sample hadn't been tested at all before being prescribed the drugs. In the face of such poor prescribing, observational studies can only tell us so much. However, when a randomised control trial was attempted in , it was stopped early by the trial's ethics board because the cohort assigned the testosterone drugs were experiencing a noticeably higher rate of cardiovascular-related events.
Notwithstanding the recent studies' shortcomings, in January the FDA issued a safety announcement reiterating that testosterone drugs should only be prescribed to men with low testosterone associated with a medical problem, i. A number of men have now filed law suits against Abbvie, claiming that the company did not warn them they risked heart attacks by using their drugs. For Hugh Jones, testosterone therapy is not risky so long as doctors properly diagnose and monitor treatment.
Although there is no conclusive evidence that the drugs are harmful, Richard Quinton says the results of different trials are starting to "triangulate" and frail, older men should avoid them. It's a great treatment for men with true testosterone deficiency but it's not a life-extending drug for those who aren't properly deficient.
Correction 31 July An earlier version of this story referred to two scientific studies on the use of testosterone drugs. The reference to one of these studies has been removed and, in the other case, the results have been expressed more clearly. Listen to the programme on iPlayer or get the Science Hour podcast. Image source, Thinkstock. Image source, Bill. These symptoms can be relieved with medically supervised hormone replacement therapy.
Most people associate HRT with the symptoms experienced by women going through menopause, but men with low testosterone levels low T can benefit substantially from HRT. These anti-aging treatments can treat symptoms such as:.
Even though hormonal imbalances—especially for younger adults—may have an underlying cause, they are most often associated with aging and are often first noticed after age This includes:. Not all clinics that offer HRT include all of these services in the cost they quote to potential patients.
Your health is too important to settle for the lowest cost option. Or call us at one of our 3 locations: Baton Rouge , Denham Springs , or Metairie. However, we want you to remember that there are other factors involved. The same is true with bloodwork to monitor your levels.
You have to pay for these tests, as many insurance companies have caps on how many blood tests they will pay for in a given year. The frequency of use may be a significant driving factor for some people. You need to take the pills every day, knowing if you miss one, you may be facing mood swings and an increased risk of various side effects, and will also make the first pass through the liver.
If you are disciplined, this may not be an issue. But, you have to take into consideration your habits. People who are seeking a more natural application can use creams and gels. These need to be used several times per day without fail. It is the most cost-effective method, but the most labor-intensive. Absorption rates may vary greatly from patient to patient and also within the same patient. Injectables are often associated with uneven absorption and a roller coaster effect of hormone delivery, resulting in high peaks and low valleys.
Every time your prescription renews, you will need to visit the doctor. There will be an office charge that may or may not be in your co-pay. Most of the time, you will also need a test to evaluate your hormone levels. A blood test is typically the best in the form of testing to identify your hormone levels and is used to verify the level of hormone therapy you are receiving is accurate. Whenever you begin taking a new prescription, there is a period where it needs to build up in your system.
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