Studies have already shown that testosterone supplements can be dangerous for men who are taking them to treat Low T, but what about men who take these products off label? Off-label usage of testosterone supplements is a widespread issue. In fact, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that testosterone therapies are not always prescribed as recommended. According to Testosterone Lab Testing and Initiation in the United Kingdom and the United States, 2000 to 2011, testosterone usage has increased over the past ten years. The article also states that "Substantial use is seen in men without recent testing and in US men with normal levels."
Several different factors may be contributing to the off-label usage of testosterone supplements. Some doctors simply don't have a thorough understanding of the way these supplements work, so they may prescribe them without worrying about potential side effects. Other doctors may believe that a man's symptoms indicate Low T so strongly that no tests are needed. Finally, some doctors may prescribe these medications simply because patients insist on wanting to use them.
Off-label usage of testosterone supplements produces a host of concerns. Most of the research studies performed to evaluate the efficacy and/or safety of testosterone supplementation has focused only on subjects who were diagnosed with congenital or acquired hypogonadism. Thus, there is little to no information available about the effects these testosterone supplements may have on men who already have normal testosterone levels.
In our next post we will discuss the legal recourses that you can take if you or a loved one have been harmed by taking Testosterone Supplements.
If you would like to explore the possibility of bringing legal action to obtain compensation for medical problems, deaths or other issues related to Low T medications, please contact the experienced attorneys at Marc Whitehead & Associates, LLP at (855)-423-3666 to discuss your options.
For more information regarding the use of Low T drugs, please visit www.usacivialaction.com and download a copy of our free E-book, The Fall of Testosterone: How a Vaunted “Low T” Therapy Has Backfired and Put Millions of Men at Risk for Heart Problems and Stroke.