Hundreds of men have been prescribed testosterone therapy treatments from clinics and facilities for allegedly suffering from low testosterone, or “low-T”. According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, the number of prescriptions for testosterone therapies has more than tripled in the last decade in the U.S. Amid this increase in prescriptions, an increasing number of doctors and experts are expressing concerns over the potential testosterone therapy risks, stating that there may be thousands of men taking these testosterone treatments who do not actually need the therapies.

If you or someone you love has suffered from complications due to testosterone treatments and you would like to learn more about the lack of warning regarding testosterone therapy risks or whether you can pursue a claim, contact the American Injury Attorney Group today for a free consultation.

Why the Increase in Awareness of Testosterone Therapy Risks?

In January 2014, the FDA released a safety announcement stating that the agency would be launching an investigation into all testosterone treatments in an effort to determine the relationship between stroke, heart attack and death and the treatments, as well as to evaluate the validity of the alleged testosterone therapy risks. As an increasing number of patients begin to file lawsuits against the makers of testosterone therapies, the media is beginning to take notice. This increase in media reporting may be leading more patients to seek medical attention if they feel that the side effects and conditions they were experiencing were unnecessary and dangerous.

Men throughout the U.S. are currently filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of testosterone therapy products, alleging that they were not adequately informed about the possible testosterone therapy risks before they suffered from life-threatening side effects such as heart attacks, strokes and wrongful death. Additionally, manufacturers are accused of using aggressive marketing products in an attempt to target a population of men who may not have necessarily needed the treatments. Side effects such as fatigue, low libido and weight gain, while indicative of low testosterone, may also occur due to the natural aging process.

Experts Suggest Testing Prior to Taking Testosterone

As a result of the increase in testosterone prescriptions, experts have released statements in which they advise men to seek a blood test prior to beginning a testosterone treatment.  They further claim that there is insufficient information about the possible side effects of these therapies. Tests can measure the amount of testosterone levels in the body, and according to the clinical director at the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center, these levels tend to fluctuate over the course of the day. Those who are considering a testosterone blood test should evaluate their levels in the morning hours between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. when they tend to be the highest; men who test later in the day may not receive an accurate reading.

Additionally, men who are obese may be more likely to test low for testosterone as the fat tissues may turn the hormone into estradiol. Higher estradiol levels may block the signals in the brain that produce testosterone, so men who are overweight may benefit from daily exercise and a healthy diet and may be able to increase their testosterone levels naturally.

Do You Need More Information about Filing a Testosterone Therapy Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has suffered from complications while taking a testosterone treatment and would like to file a lawsuit, contact the American Injury Attorney Group today. We can discuss legal options with those who feel their injuries were caused by their use of testosterone therapy. We can review your case, free of charge, and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file your lawsuit and work with you to protect your legal rights.