BBC's Dr Xand has issued a stark warning as a new health trend has been emerging online recommending testosterone tests, supplements and medications to both men and women. The doctor explained that while it can have benefits for some people, others may be putting themselves at risk of 'fatal' consequences.
Misleading and Dangerous Claims
The expert warned on Morning Live: 'The bad news is that it does not seem to have the benefits that are claimed for it.' He explained that it may only have genuine benefits for people who physically aren't making enough of the hormone within their own body.
Dr Xand delivered his damning verdict on a recent claim that testosterone could 'defy ageing' for both men and women: 'That headline is not just misleading, it is completely incorrect, wrong and dangerous.' The doctor explained the medication can be 'seductive' to people as many may feel they are experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone.
Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- Low libido
- Losing muscle and bone strength
- Hair changes
He continued: 'That's sort of most middle-aged men. Most people can look at that list and go; "Yeah, a lot of days. I feel a bit like that life gets a bit tougher". The answer is that it does not solve those problems.
'Those problems are caused by stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, poor sleep, all these things that all of us have in our lives that are hard to solve and those things will lower your testosterone, but pushing your testosterone levels up does not seem to fix it.'
Risks of Overuse
Another concern Dr Xand has is that people may start taking too much: 'Then it becomes dangerous. The side effects of testosterone, even at low, doses can include headache, acne, irritability, and aggressiveness mood changes, infertility is probably the biggest one.'
The expert explained that taking testosterone at any dose can potentially suppress a person's fertility permanently and could result in them becoming dependent on the drug.
He added: 'If you are taking it as a sort of improvement, wellness, bodybuilding, sports drug, you're at risk of very severe heart disease. Even fatal side effects. So this is why I think it's very dangerous. You can manipulate your blood tests so that you can get a low result and get a big prescription from a wellness clinic and that can lead you down a very dangerous road.'
Testosterone's Role in the Body
The hormone can have a major effect on many vital bodily functions from bone density and muscle mass to hair and mood changes. Both genders have the hormone, although women tend to need smaller amounts, and ultimately testosterone drugs were meant to help people who couldn't make enough themselves.
However, it can also be used as an anabolic steroid that become popular among gym and bodybuilding communities but it came with a well-known range of side effects. Only recently has it started being marketed as more of a holistic wellness product.
Scientific Evidence
Dr Xand explained: '15 years ago, there were lots of concerns with it. We didn't really know much about it was thought it might increase cancer it might increase heart disease, but it also might do all kinds of great things for you.
'Since then, there have been a couple of big trials that have looked at testosterone therapy in thousands of men in multiple countries in Europe. And so now we have some answers and the good news is that this is an inexpensive drug that does seem to be safe so it doesn't seem to drive a lot of cancer.
'It does increase your risk of a few non-fatal heart conditions, but at the kind of doses you might get on the NHS it's not hugely dangerous.'
Testosterone for Women
For women, historically there was no testosterone prescription for them and they had to take men's products when prescribed. But now there is potential evidence that testosterone therapy can work well for women during menopause.
But Dr Xand emphasised: 'It's not for everyone and your GP can guide you through it. The marketing is designed to sell you a test to sell you a drug and then to send you all sorts of other things, all of which you should be going to your GP for and looking at.
'Do not believe it. Do not get seduced by this, if you are having a hard time with any aspect of your health, talk to your GP. The NHS is not against using testosterone, it will use it appropriately. Please, please, please do not go to a wellness clinic.'
