Testosterone supplements seem to offer some very enticing benefits, such as increased muscle mass and increased libido. Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is produced in the testes. As men age, their levels of this hormone decline. Low testosterone levels cause muscle wasting and loss of strength. Testosterone is often prescribed for men who have low hormone levels due to a condition called hypogonadism. Older men take may this supplement to override the effects of aging. Some competitive athletes, such as male and female bodybuilders, take testosterone to enhance their strength and performance, but there are several worrisome risks associated with its use.
Cardiovascular and Blood Problems
There is an increased risk of developing heart problems, such as high blood pressure, heart failure and heart attack, associated with the use of testosterone supplements. MayoClinic.com reports that taking this supplement can lead to polycythemia, an overproduction of red blood cells. Polycythemia causes thickening of the blood and changes in its viscosity, which can lead to heart problems and bloods clots, including deep vein thrombophlebitis. Cholesterol levels can also become dangerously elevated due to increased amounts of LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. Taking high doses of testosterone for an extended time can also cause anemia and interference with some of the clotting factors.
Gynecomastia and Virilization
Breast enlargement, or gynecomastia, can occur in men taking testosterone for prolonged periods. When there is an excessive amount of testosterone available, some of it is broken down. This causes an imbalance in the sex hormones that allows estrogen, which men do produce in small amounts, to become dominant, leading to breast development.
Conversely, in women taking testosterone supplement, the hormone imbalance is reversed, which causes testosterone to become dominant over estrogen. In a woman, this leads to developing more masculine physical characteristics, including a decrease in breast tissue, menstrual abnormalities, an enlarged clitoris, deepening of the voice and increased body hair. If levels of testosterone are elevated over a long period of time, these effects are not reversible. Women who are exposed to testosterone though their sex partners using testosterone gel on their skin can also develop these effects, according to RxList.
Decreased Sperm Production and Infertility
Testosterone supplements can cause changes in sperm production, according to Drugs.com. Sperm production can be reduced, along with the volume of ejaculate, leading to infertility. The testicles can shrink in size. High levels of testosterone can cause enlargement of the prostate, particularly in older men, leading to urinary retention and difficulty urinating due to obstruction.
Liver Abnormalities
Prolonged use of testosterone supplements in high doses have caused serious liver problems in some. Drugs.com reports that some taking high doses of the supplement have developed liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic neoplasms. Not all of the cancers were responsive to treatment after the use of testosterone supplements were discontinued. Liver enzyme abnormalities and the appearance of jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, can occur due to liver damage.
References
- NPR: Testosterone Supplements Build Strength, But May Harm Older Hearts
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; "Adverse Events Associated with Testosterone Administration" by Shehzad Basaria, M.D et al; July 2010; 363:109-122
- RxList: Androgel Precautions
- MayoClinic.com: Testosterone Therapy: Key to Male Vitality?
- Drugs.com: Testosterone
- CNN Health: Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Dangerous, Damaging and Potentially Deadly
