Study Confirms Testosterone Safety

Written by

Medical experts of the National HRT Clinic - October 6, 2017

One of the leading areas of contention in the medical field is testosterone safety. 2017 studies and current research should help put the minds of adults everywhere to ease – testosterone replacement therapy is safe to use when prescribed by a doctor with experience in the field of hormone replacement therapy.

More than one recent study confirms testosterone safety . If you are currently using TRT as a way of correct low testosterone levels, you can most likely breathe a sigh of relief at this point.

Here are some of the facts National HRT has gleaned from the latest testosterone safety studies :

Study #1 – Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah

755 male patients studied between the ages of 58 and 78 years
All suffered from serious coronary artery disease and low testosterone levels
Patients sorted into three groups and received varying doses of testosterone via gel or intravenous administration, or a placebo
After year one: 64 patients receiving placebo, 12 patients taking medium testosterone doses, and 9 patients taking high testosterone doses experienced serious adverse cardiovascular events
After three years: 125 patients receiving placebo, 38 receiving medium dose, and 22 taking high testosterone doses had severe cardiovascular events

The bottom line: testosterone replacement therapy reduced the risk of cardiovascular events

That study certainly revealed some compelling testosterone safety data , and here is some research that expanded into other areas:

Study #2 – The Testosterone Trials – Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania – a series of studies at 12 academic medical centers

788 men over 65 years of age
Half received testosterone gel, and the others received placebo gel for one year
Bone Trial results: improved bone density and bone strength for those receiving TRT
Cardiovascular Trial: increased plaque buildup in coronary arteries, but no increased risk of cardiovascular events for those receiving TRT over a placebo
Cognition Trial: no improvements in memory
Anemia Trial: TRT helped correct anemia due to no cause or by iron deficiency
Research also showed improvements in sexual function and mood

Additional studies, including one from the Veterans Administration and one assessing members of the Kaiser Permanente California health care plan (8,808 men) also show a reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Since heart health has always been the biggest concern associated with TRT, men now have the proof that testosterone therapy offers way more benefits than risks.

Safety of Different Testosterone Therapy Options

Of course, not all forms of testosterone therapy are the same. Here is an in-depth look at the individual types of TRT and their potential risk factors:

Safety of testosterone shots – the biggest risk here over the other methods of testosterone replacement therapy is injection site redness, irritation, or pain.
Safety of testosterone gels – here, the concern is more for other people. Testosterone gel has the highest risk of cross contamination for those who come into contact with the treated area.
Safety of testosterone pills – doctors do not recommend testosterone pills due to the high level of toxicity when the pills enter the liver.
Testosterone patch safety – as with gel, testosterone patches pose a cross-contamination risk to others, especially if they happen to fall off in bed and stick to one’s partner.
Testosterone pellets safety – although relatively safe, if an issue occurs, testosterone pellets are extremely difficult to remove from the body, posing a serious health concern. There are also reports of them working their way out of the body from underneath the skin.

What is the Safest Way to Use Testosterone Therapy?

There are two main issues of concern when it comes to TRT safety. Testosterone replacement therapy must be prescribed by a doctor. Any individual who seeks the purchase of testosterone in any form without physician approval is putting his or her health and well-being at risk.

The balancing of hormone levels is serious business. Every hormone has a job to do in the body. If one of these chemical messengers is out of balance, it can cause a spiraling effect that could impact other hormones, as is the case with testosterone.

Increasing any hormone past its natural point not only raises the risk of severe side effects, but it could also cause the body to stop production of the hormone in question.

The doctors at National HRT caution everyone against seeking purchase of hormones from unregulated sources online. Not only is it necessary to receive blood testing and physical examination to ensure what hormone is needed, and at what dosage, but buying testosterone and other types of HRT from the black market could be dangerous for these reasons:

You, as the purchaser, are subject to legal prosecution
There is no guarantee that you will receive what you paid for – there are many shady companies on the internet
You could receive a medication that is counterfeit, diluted, expired, or bacterially tainted

Medically reviewed by

National HRT Staff - Updated on November 21, 2023

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.

References

A Content Analysis of Testosterone Websites: Sex, Muscle, and Male Age-Related Thematic Differences Nicholas Ivanov,1 Jimmy Vuong,1 and Peter B. Gray1 Published online 2017 Oct 13
Doctor OZ
Harvard Medical Schooll
Best Health Nutritionals
UCI Health
MAYO CLINIC
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com