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  • Recent Posts
    • FDA Warns of Blood Clots From Testosterone Therapy
    • Exercise, Obesity, and Testosterone Replacement Therapy
    • Testosterone Treatment Debate: Is It a Fountain of Youth?
    • FDA Approves First Ever Nasal Testosterone Treatment
    • The Controversy Surrounding Low Testosterone
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Testosterone News tag Archive | Testosterone Attonreys | American Injury Attorney Group

Testosterone Treatment Debate: Is It a Fountain of Youth?

Anthony Johnson, June 20, 2014, 10:57 am, Posted in News, Tagged Testosterone News, Testosterone Research,

testosterone treatment debateA discussion about testosterone treatment at the annual American Urological Association meeting in Orlando, Florida this year turned into a testosterone treatment debate. There were two speakers that primarily locked horns. Dr. Adriane Fuhr-Berman, an associate professor of pharmacology at Georgetown University, is of the opinion that low testosterone treatments are being distributed with little regard for the potential consequences. Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor of urology at Harvard Medical School, expressed opposing view points and took the stance of attacking Dr. Fuhr-Berman’s credibility.

The Stance Against Low T Treatments

Fuhr-Berman’s con side of the testosterone treatment debate pointed to reprehensible advertising practices and the many parallels between Low T treatments and estrogen treatments. The doctor insisted that advertisers are employing deceiving marketing tactics to make testosterone treatment seem like a “Fountain of Youth.” By listing symptoms of Low T that are also simply part of the natural aging process for men, manufacturers are making a natural occurrence seem like an unnatural affliction, further polarizing the testosterone treatment debate.

Dr. Fuhr-Berman compared the testosterone treatment debate to a similar one that estrogen treatment faced in the past. Estrogen treatment was extremely popular for decades, right up until the 1970’s when studies linked it to endometrial cancer. The treatment regained popularity after that until it was revealed in 2000 by the Women’s Health Initiative that estrogen treatments were linked to breast cancer and heart problems. There were 15 million users at the time. Fuhr-Berman insists that there simply isn’t enough information about Low T treatments to mass market it the way it is being presented, asserting that there is little to no benefit.

The Stance For Low T Treatments

Dr. Abraham Morgentaler was on the opposite side of the testosterone treatment debate. The unfortunate part of Morgentaler’s presentation was his approach in attacking Fuhr-Berman’s credibility instead of facts. He was quick to point out that Fuhr-Berman had no personal experience in prescribing Low T treatments. It was a point he contrasted by asking the doctors in the room who had prescribed it to raise a hand, resulting in a near unanimous show of hands. He went on to suggest that their personal experience in using Low T treatments should trump Fuhr-Berman’s thoughts.

Dr. Morgentaler may be completely right in the testosterone treatment debate, but he did not touch on the marketing angle at all, even though victims of estrogen treatments had been through nearly identical circumstances due to concerted marketing efforts and collusion. It could be decades before enough evidence is gathered to draw a concrete conclusion on the ramifications of Low T treatments for patients.

Find Out More About the Testosterone Treatment Debate

There is already evidence in the testosterone treatment debate of the harm that Low T treatments can do to patients, such as an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Contact the American Injury Attorney Group today if you believe you or a loved one have been harmed by a Low T treatment. We can provide a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss whether or not you have a claim. If so, the American Injury Attorney Group can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

FDA Approves First Ever Nasal Testosterone Treatment

Anthony Johnson, June 13, 2014, 10:41 am, Posted in News, Tagged Testosterone News, Testosterone Research,

          nasal testosterone treatmentTestosterone treatments are a means of supplementing low testosterone (Low T) levels. Men suffer from Low T for a number of reasons ranging from age to various medical afflictions. The common methods of dosing all have their cons. A doctor can give injections once or twice a week, but that is very inconvenient for the patient. Patches, gels, and solutions are all better choices for convenience’s sake, but contact with the product or treated area by women and children can have adverse affects on their hormone levels. That is why the approval of Natesto, the first nasal testosterone treatment, is significant for patients with Low T levels. Natesto has been approved to treat the absence of or reduced levels of endogenous testosterone.

The Benefits Of Natesto

          The obvious benefit of Natesto is the delivery system. The nasal testosterone treatment uses a metered-dose pump mechanism to deliver the dosage. The delivery minimizes the chance for women and children to suffer from elevated testosterone levels due to contact with the patient. It is also far more convenient for the patient than needing to visit their doctor for regular, painful injections. The intranasal gel still works through absorption but is taken in through the nasal lining.

The Potential Cons Of Nasal Testosterone Treatment

          At present, there is really only one notable downside to using a nasal testosterone treatment, not including its possible side effects. The actuator of the sprayer is designed to dose 5.5 mg of the gel. The recommend dose is 11mg, or a shot up each nostril. The recommended daily dose is 33mg. It is unclear how well men will be able to keep up with dosing themselves three times a day or what the exact effects will be if the patient has a runny nose from sickness or seasonal allergies.

          On the theoretical side of things, there are other concerns. One doctor wondered if nasal testosterone treatment dosing may result in increased testosterone levels in the brain. A 2009 study showed that mice that received nasal testosterone treatments had twice the level of brain testosterone as the control group. Whether or not this will apply to humans is unknown.

          The biggest concern with nasal testosterone treatment is its newness. Nasal testosterone treatment has been subject to trials to help determine safety, but we often see other problems develop once a treatment is available to the general population. There are an estimated 13 million Americans with Low T that could benefit from treatment. That is a lot of incentive for companies like Trimel Pharmaceuticals Corporation to develop new, more convenient methods of dosing.

          Long-term heavyweights like AndroGel resulted in many lawsuits due to under-reported chances of serious side effects like heart attacks or strokes. Some patients suffered from serious complications if they also had heart, kidney, or lung disease. AbbVie Inc, the maker of AndroGel, was accused of downplaying the severity of these risks. It is not unreasonable to think Natesto consumers might fear the same risks.

Seeking Legal Counsel For Low T Treatment Complications

          If you or a loved one has experienced complications believed to be related to Low T treatments, contact the American Injury Attorney Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can inform you of your legal rights and, if you have a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can fight for those rights and help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

The Controversy Surrounding Low Testosterone

Anthony Johnson, June 4, 2014, 11:31 am, Posted in News, Tagged Testosterone News, Testosterone Research,

          low testosteroneIt is natural for a man’s level of testosterone to decline as he grows older, but, in some cases, low testosterone can cause symptoms such as reduced energy, depression, emotional problems, and endurance and strength levels. Some men may experience erectile dysfunction, a decreased sex drive, or may notice an increase in breast size and tenderness.

          Fortunately, there are effective remedies to increase testosterone levels. The treatments come in several different forms, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Injections, gels, patches, pills, and creams all may help to raise testosterone levels in men and help them to maintain this increased level. However, while many men worldwide have experienced success and reported increased testosterone after using one or more of these products, others have allegedly suffered from adverse side-effects and complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and death.

          If you or someone you love has experienced complications while using a testosterone treatment therapy product, contact the American Injury Attorney Group to learn more about your rights. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your injury or the death of your loved one, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against the manufacturer and to hold it accountable for your injuries and/or losses.

What are Common Low Testosterone Treatments?

          Also known as “Low-T,” testosterone therapies have been called “wonder drugs” for middle-aged men concerned about a decline in their energy levels and sexual health. According to statistics, more than 5 million people throughout the U.S. are currently taking some form of testosterone to battle the signs and symptoms of Low-T, and prescriptions for testosterone treatments in the U.S. have increased dramatically over the past several years, with sales of more than $1.6 billion.

          A urologist at the University of Colorado Hospital stated that he believes testosterone treatments are over-prescribed in part because people are bombarded by commercials and television ads for the products. For instance, symptoms such as depression, loss of sex drive, or feeling weak or fatigued may very well indicate low levels of testosterone, but they are also common signs that the man is simply aging. 

Is There Controversy Surrounding Low Testosterone?

          Low-T is controversial within the medical community because some physicians believe that it is an made-up condition. According to some, the symptoms of Low-T are actually just the symptoms of the natural aging process that occur as the body grows older and do not necessarily need to be treated. These same physicians believe testosterone therapies should only be prescribed to men with severely low testosterone levels and should only be administered under constant supervision of a physician.

Are There Currently Testosterone Treatment Lawsuits?

          A Fort Collins man is planning to pursue a claim against the manufacturers of a popular testosterone treatment therapy after he allegedly suffered a heart attack while taking AndroGel for low testosterone. Similar lawsuits have been filed in Louisiana and Illinois against the makers of testosterone products, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is investigating the efficacy and safety of these treatments.

          According to the most recent testosterone lawsuit, the plaintiff began to take AndroGel after a blood test confirmed that he was suffering from low testosterone levels. Two years later, the man allegedly suffered a heart attack but continued to take the medication until he saw an ad for a law firm warning of the possible risks and side-effects of testosterone therapies.

          The plaintiff and others pursuing claims across the U.S. allege that the manufacturers failed to warn the public and medical communities of the potential dangers of their testosterone therapy treatments in order to protect their highly-lucrative products. While many are seeking compensation for their injuries, others claim that it is more important to have the products removed from circulation.

Contact the American Injury Attorney Group Today

          If you or someone you love suffered a heart attack, stroke, or passed away, and you believe that the injury or death was caused by a testosterone therapy treatment, please contact the American Injury Attorney Group today to learn more about your legal rights. We can answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Awareness of Testosterone Therapy Risks Increasing

Anthony Johnson, May 12, 2014, 4:26 pm, Posted in News, Tagged Testosterone News,
Testosterone Therapy Risks

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.

 

Studies Evaluate Testosterone Treatment Risks

Anthony Johnson, May 2, 2014, 3:27 pm, Posted in News, Tagged Testosterone Research,
Testosterone Treatment Risks

Expert States Testosterone Treatment Risks Are Too High

According to Professor Stephanie Page of the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, physicians do not have sufficient information from clinical trials to fully understand the testosterone treatment risks associated with these therapies in older men. Although the benefits of testosterone therapies in younger men with a testosterone deficiency have been studied and reportedly established, the products are now widely prescribed to older men throughout the U.S.

Existing studies have found conflicting data over whether testosterone prescriptions are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications in older men, and ongoing studies are unlikely to properly address these concerns. Professor Page asserts that since millions of men are using testosterone treatments every day, both the medical and public communities must provide support to fund an adequate clinical trial to fully assess the testosterone treatment risks and benefits in older patients. She continues by stating that there is a danger that regulatory and funding agencies may over-interpret the findings from ongoing and existing observational studies and conclude that longer and larger clinical trials are unwarranted and unnecessary.

However, testosterone is a billion-dollar industry, and many believe that millions of patients are seeking out these prescriptions due to overly aggressive direct-to-consumer advertising methods. Physicians should consider discussing the testosterone treatment risks and benefits with their patients before simply writing a prescription, as Professor Page states that the medical community simply does not fully understand the potential testosterone treatment risks.

Additionally, doctors may consider using the treatment guidelines provided by the Endocrine Society to guide them when making therapeutic decisions. The Endocrine Society has also stated that the testosterone treatment risks and benefits must be fully evaluated, particularly among older men with preexisting cardiovascular conditions. The Society issued a statement in which it calls for the development of larger and longer clinical trials to determine the true testosterone treatment risks and benefits and recommends that older or middle-aged men considering testosterone therapies should be aware of the potential for the treatments to lead to cardiovascular events.

Although testosterone therapies are approved for treating the symptoms of low testosterone levels due to diagnosed diseases of the pituitary, testes and hypothalamus, these therapies have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of an age-related decline of symptoms or testosterone levels. Those who have allegedly suffered complications while taking these treatments accuse the manufacturers of claiming that the men needed the therapies to combat specific symptoms that occur as a result of low testosterone levels. However, plaintiffs claim that they were not suffering from the condition and were instead experiencing normal symptoms that occur as a man ages.

Contact the American Injury Attorney Group Today

Have you or someone you love suffered from life-threatening complications due to testosterone therapies and you were not fully aware of the possible testosterone treatment risks? The American Injury Attorney Group offers free consultations to patients who feel they were misinformed or misled into believing that they needed a testosterone prescription due to low testosterone levels. We can answer your questions and connect you with an experienced attorney who can help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.

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