Determining True Need for Testosterone Therapy Can be Difficult

 Posted on July 18, 2014 in Illinois Defective Medical Products Lawyer

Testosterone therapies for men with low levels of the hormone have become increasingly popular in recent years. The American Medical Association issued a report in 2013 that stated that between 2001 and 2011, “the use of hormones among men over 40 increased by almost 360 percent,” as noted by Fox News. These types of therapies, while very popular, come with high associated risks—mostly involving heart failure and function. These are serious side effects for a therapy this common, and many doctors and members of the medical community have started to question whether testosterone therapy is the best option for men with symptoms it is meant to cure.

Symptoms publicized or advertised as those that need testosterone therapy to cure are often simply relative to the normal aging process. This is one reason critics are speaking out against the procedures. Advertisements aimed at men who “need” testosterone therapy asks if the viewer is suffering from symptoms such as low energy, weight gain, fatigue, low sex drive, and depression. “Really, at midlife,” The Washington Post asks, “who isn't?”

Glenn Braunstein, an endocrinologist and vice president of clinical innovation at an L.A. hospital told The Washington Post that these types of symptoms are true of everyone as they age, man or woman. Some men may experience symptoms to a greater severity than others, but this does not necessarily mean a need for testosterone therapy as a cure, especially if prone to exacerbate already-existing conditions, such as a heart problem.

Even more troublesome are certain types of rejuvenation clinics and Internet sites that push unregulated testosterone therapies—“or supplements dubiously claimed to boost it”—as a way to avoid or cure standard aging symptoms. These types of supplements and clinics are less likely to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and thus are sometimes not held to the same safety standards.

If you or someone you know is taking testosterone therapy in Chicago and are experiencing side effects such as heart problems, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact an experienced Arlington Heights defective testosterone therapy attorney today for a free initial consultation.