Top Medical Experts and Health Magazines about Testosterone Therapy
You hear the commercials about Low T on the radio while driving to work, see advertisements in magazines, and know that knowledgeable doctors are discussing the topic of hormone replacement therapy of all sorts on television talk shows. However, where is the proof that testosterone therapy is really good for you?
That is a viable question for anyone to ask, and it should be asked of an experienced hormone replacement therapy specialist if this is a specific concern you have. Top medical experts at Harvard, and the University of Washington in Seattle have weighed in on this subject in numerous articles.
Associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler who is also the director of Men’s Health Boston, explained in an Endocrine Society interview that testosterone therapy has been shown to be effective in the following areas:
- Treatment of osteoporosis
- Increasing muscle bulk and strength
- Improving libido and sexual performance
- Some evidence of cognitive improvement
Dr. Morgentaler went on to state that many physicians tend to dismiss the “soft symptoms” that men could have such as erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire as a normal part of the aging process. However, he continued, that when joined with other symptoms of Low T such as lack of energy, weight gain, muscle loss, and decreased bone density, it is more likely that a man has low testosterone which is easily treated by normalizing testosterone levels. In his opinion, the goal of treatment is to raise testosterone levels to the area of 500 to 600 ng/dL.
At the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Brad Anawalt, the author of a study about testosterone and veterans explained that people with truly low testosterone levels might find that the benefits of testosterone therapy outweigh the risks. He did go on to say that this treatment would only be beneficial for those who have valid medical reasons for its use.
A 2014 study of more than 25,000 men that was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found that testosterone therapy did not increase the actual risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease, putting to rest the fears of many individuals.
Testosterone Research and What it Means to You
It is important to put everything into proper perspective when contemplating the use of doctor prescribed testosterone therapy. An abundant wealth of research is available on the internet, with new studies published on a regular basis. Just when there seems to be a definitive answer in one direction, another study contradicts those claims. What is a person to do or believe when the symptoms of Low T begin to create havoc in one’s life?
This is the time to contact an experienced medical professional – an expert in the field of hormone replacement therapy. This type of doctor has the advanced knowledge required to treat cases of hormonal imbalance in adults. It is vital that all proper blood test panels be run and analyzed before any type of treatment is prescribed. A physical examination is another must during the diagnostic process. The HRT specialist will also need a comprehensive medical history questionnaire completed.
Treatment of Low T is only required if a man or woman has numerous symptoms associated with low testosterone levels and blood testing shows that testosterone readings are either below normal, or at the lower end of the normal scale. A discussion of benefits and risks is vital, as well as potential interactions with other medications. Testosterone therapy is a personalized treatment that requires doctor supervision.
Important note: there is no reason at all for anyone to use testosterone therapy without evidence of symptoms of Low T. Do not try to fix something that does not need fixing.
National HRT is a hormone replacement clinic that adheres to all diagnostic testing requirements for adults over thirty who believe they might be living with a hormone deficiency. We do not work with athletes, bodybuilders, or adults under thirty years of age. If you suspect that a hormone deficiency is causing concern in your life, please contact us for a confidential, no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a hormone specialist.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
- A Content Analysis of Testosterone Websites: Sex, Muscle, and Male Age-Related Thematic Differences Nicholas Ivanov, Jimmy Vuong, and Peter B. Gray Am J Mens Health. 2018 Mar; 12(2): 388–397
- Harvard Medical School
- ScienceDaily
- LiveScience
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Giovanni Corona, Alessandra Sforza, and Mario Maggicorresponding author World J Mens Health. 2017 Aug; 35(2): 65–76.Published online 2017 Apr 30.
- U.S.News
- Testosterone Therapy: Review of Clinical Applications RYAN C. PETERING, MD, and NATHAN A. BROOKS, MD, MPH, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon Am Fam Physician. 2017 Oct 1;96(7):441-449.
- Endocrine Society
- Urology Care Foundation
- EndocrineNews
- Dr.OZ