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MEN! Don't Throw Out Your Testosterone
There have been dramatic reports in the press recently linking the use of testosterone in men to increased risk of heart attacks.
Two studies have recently been cited, both of which were poorly designed and completely unscientific. By that I mean, neither were done as double blinded controlled studies. Both of these studies were retrospective analyses of prescription writing and insurance data. Neither of them actually evaluated the men clinically or even measured or documented blood levels of testosterone. There isn't even any documented evidence that the men in the studies used the testosterone or used it regularly or correctly.
The men included in the study were known to have low testosterone and thus were given testosterone prescriptions. That is where the clinical data ends. Statistics were gathered on these men going forward, and the ASSUMPTION was made that since these men had an increase incidence of heart attacks it must have been from the testosterone.
This is a fine an example of irresponsible medical reporting that I have ever seen.
What this study more significantly indicates is that men with Low Testosterone to begin with have more cardiac events, which is what has been demonstrated over and over again in well designed scientific clinical studies.
Furthermore, the difference in heart attack events was extremely low; approximately one additional heart attack per 1000 years of testosterone use.
I have been in touch with Dr. Abraham Morgenthaler's office about this. Dr. Morgenthaler is a nationally regarded testosterone expert from Harvard. I quote his book "Testosterone for Life" frequently.
Here is part of the response I received from his office,
"I regard these recent studies( sic:sensationalized in the press) as extremely weak evidence of cardiovascular risk for testosterone in men, and very likely supportive of the long-known association between LOW T and cardiovascular disease."
He goes on to comment on other scientific studies.
"Two studies published within the last two years showed that T therapy REDUCED mortality by half in men with T deficiency who were treated versus those who were not treated."
I completely agree with Dr. Morgenthaler that the studies receiving so much attention in the press are extremely weak,poorly done studies that serve no purpose in terms of improving men's health other than to confuse and distract attention from the known and proven benefits of Testosterone replacement, if done correctly, for men.
I remain an active proponent of testosterone replacement for men with testosterone deficiency, as being significantly health enhancing.
I am happy and willing to discuss this topic and any other concerns about testosterone for men or hormones for women with any of you personally and individually.
Please call the office to set up a time to talk.
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