Study finds testosterone supplementation can triple your risk of death

March 12, 2014

If you are a regular television viewer, you may have noticed a blitz of commercials recently for testosterone supplementation. Such commercials advertise injections, gels and patches that promise relief to older men that suffer from the ravages of "Low T" such as: low libido, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count and loss of muscle mass.

The effect of the marketing campaigns has been very successful. Testosterone supplementation is now a billion-dollar industry, which has grown over 500 percent since 2000. It is estimated that doctors write more than 5.3 million prescriptions for testosterone supplements each year.

Although some patients may benefit from testosterone supplementation, it is often not the fountain of youth that it promises to be. According to a 2013 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), testosterone replacement can often lead to fatal results.

During the study, researchers analyzed the effects of testosterone supplementation on a group of 8,000 male veterans that had been diagnosed with low testosterone. The study focused on how testosterone affected the group's cardiovascular system. When the researchers compared the cardiovascular health of those who had received testosterone supplements with those who had not been treated with testosterone, a surprising discovery was reached. It was determined that, even after taking into account the person's age, blood pressure and medical history, those who had received testosterone were 29 percent more likely to die from a stroke or heart attack after three years of treatment.

In early 2014, the dangerous side effects of testosterone supplementation were confirmed. A federally funded study involving 45,000 men concluded that supplementation with testosterone could double the likelihood of heart attacks in men over 65 years old.

Experts say that part of the problem is that testosterone supplementation is becoming more widespread among older men. The reason for this is largely blamed on direct-to-consumer advertising that encourages men suffering from certain symptoms (e.g. fatigue or low sex drive) to ask their doctors about supplementation.

In fact, factors other than low testosterone, such as the natural aging process or other medical conditions, can cause many of the symptoms mentioned in the advertisements. Regardless, many of the men with such symptoms are improperly prescribed testosterone for conditions that would be more effectively (and safely) treated another way. In a separate study by the JAMA, it was found that up to 25 percent of men who had received testosterone supplementation prescriptions did so without their doctor administering a blood test to test testosterone levels.

Consult an attorney

Although the commercials may encourage men to ask their doctors what can be done about "Low T," it is ultimately the doctor's responsibility to determine whether testosterone supplementation would be right for the condition. Unfortunately, many doctors, eager to comply with the patient's wish to be prescribed testosterone supplements, fail to do this. Unfortunately, in many cases this can have fatal results.

If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, heart attack or has died while taking testosterone supplements, contact an attorney experienced with litigating dangerous drugs claims. An attorney can work to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their negligence.

Article provided by Kisling, Nestico & Redick, LLC
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