Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is being advertised everywhere — on TikTok, billboards, and podcasts — often promising more energy, better mood, and improved fitness. But health experts say many men using it may not need it and could be putting their health at risk.
Rob, 42, is active and health-conscious. After seeing influencers promote TRT online, he visited a local clinic. His testosterone levels were normal, but he still walked out with a prescription. “I bought into what I was hearing,” he says. “It sounded like a way to look and feel even better.”
Rahim, 48, had a similar story. He started therapy without much testing. “I felt like someone was just using my body to make money,” he says.
TRT is a real medical treatment, and for men with clinically low testosterone, it can help boost energy, sex drive, and mood. It may even reduce fat and increase muscle. But for men with average levels, there’s no proven health benefit — and the side effects can be serious.
Doctors say risks include infertility, acne, shrunken testicles, swollen breast tissue, and blood thickening, which could raise the risk of heart issues. Dr. Channa Jayasena, a hormone expert from Imperial College London, says, “It will not make you live longer. It will not make you otherwise healthier.”
The normal testosterone range is wide — 300 to 1,000 ng/dL — and many clinics use vague or inconsistent guidelines to justify giving TRT to men who don’t really need it. Some even increase doses over time without medical reasons.
Another concern: social media misinformation. “Most of what you see about testosterone on TikTok is horrendous,” says Dr. Justin Dubin, a urologist in Florida. “It’s not accurate and often leaves out the risks.”
Though testosterone levels naturally decline with age — about 1% per year after 40 — that doesn’t mean everyone needs help. Experts stress that men who feel tired or sluggish should get tested and talk to a real doctor before turning to testosterone.
“TRT isn’t a quick fix,” Dr. Dubin says. “It’s a real medical treatment that comes with real risks.”
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- Understanding Testosterone Replacement Therapy For Young Men
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