Advertisements for testosterone therapy are all over the internet. New research shows that customers are not always informed about the potential risks of purchasing supplements online.
Drs. Urologists and men’s healthcare specialists regularly see patients to determine if the guidelines for prescribing testosterone were followed by websites.
Dr. Justin Dubin was an online shopper who was interested in testosterone therapy. Dubin, a 34-year old man with low libido as well as low energy, presented himself. Dubin completed the necessary paperwork and submitted bloodwork. Dubin had testosterone levels that were well above the norm, but six of seven platforms offered the class-three controlled drug. None of these platforms used that level as a marker. Dubin noted that my testosterone level was 675.
The
study also revealed that only one platform asked about family planning or recent heart issues. JAMA Internal MedicineTestosterone therapy may reduce sperm production, increase stroke risk, and raise the chances of blood clots.
Dr. Joshua Halpern is the senior author of this study. He said that men lose testosterone with age, but it could also be due to other health problems.
“We know that low testosterone can be associated with diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, and other conditions,” he said.
Halpern said that not all people are born with low testosterone. He also noted that testosterone replacement therapy could cause a decrease in the body’s natural testosterone production.
“Many men, and even doctors don’t understand this. For fertility, testosterone is essential. It is believed that testosterone will improve fertility in men if it is given to them.
There is hope for younger men who have been using it and want to have children.
“There are certain ways that we, as infertility experts, can help men kinda expedite that process,” Halpern stated.
Halpern said that the study was not meant to knock telehealth. Telehealth is the way the websites recommend the therapy.
“Telemedicine can be a good option for men with health issues that are associated with stigma and associated masculinity,” Dubin stated.
The doctor’s research focuses on identifying potential pitfalls and the importance to follow guideline-based care.
