Should i take testosterone pills

The authors conclude it led to minor reductions in body fat, but no improvements in testosterone. A review also states there is limited evidence to suggest that DHEA supplementation increases testosterone levels.

While testosterone replacement may help alleviate the symptoms of hypogonadism, it may not produce the same effects in people with naturally declining testosterone levels. People who inject testosterone may experience pain, swelling, or bruising near the injection site.

Topical testosterone gels and patches can also induce allergic reactions at the application site. However, the risks of TRT may outweigh its potential benefits. The FDA does not regulate testosterone supplements, meaning that supplements vary widely in quality, purity, and dosage. According to the FDA , there is a link between some bodybuilding supplements, as well as products marketed as testosterone alternatives, and the following adverse effects:. Learn more about ways to boost testosterone naturally.

Learn more about foods that may help increase testosterone. Testosterone therapy appears to benefit people with conditions such as hypogonadism. However, TRT is usually not recommended to treat age-related declines in testosterone unless managing sexual dysfunction. More research is necessary to support the use of alternative therapies, such as testosterone supplements. Supplements may also carry some risk of cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease. Testosterone is a sex hormone. If levels are low, a male may experience erectile dysfunction, a reduction in testicle size, and difficulty sleeping….

There are several potential causes of high testosterone in males and females, including certain health conditions. Here, learn the signs of high…. Testosterone supplements may include injectable treatments or those that are transdermal, meaning people apply them to the skin.

Learn more about…. An endocrinologist specializes in all things relating to our hormones. Supplemental testosterone: Healthy or not?

Potential side effects That is why he takes special care in discussing supplemental testosterone and its harmful side effects with his patients. Related Stories. Prostate cancer survivor tells men to know their numbers.

Prostate cancer and robotic surgery. PSA: To test or not? View all related stories. Share this story. Download the app today! Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Do You Need a Testosterone Booster? Probably not—and taking the hormone when you don't need it can pose risks to you and those around you.

By Hallie Levine. Last updated: June 15, Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. As men get older, the levels of testosterone in their blood often drop. This drop in testosterone has been hypothesized to lead to various things, such as decreased sexual function, anemia, and bone breaks.

Testosterone supplementation is used by some healthcare providers to help with such bodily issues. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the clinical utility of testosterone supplementation in older men. However, large, long-term studies have not been performed to figure out whether testosterone treatment actually helps with such conditions.

In , an Institute of Medicine panel concluded there was insufficient evidence supporting the benefits of testosterone in older men and recommended further research. Consequently, in , the National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health NIH , launched the Testosterone Trials T Trials to see whether testosterone can help with symptoms associated with low levels of testosterone secondary to older age i.

The T Trials were intended to serve as a prelude to lengthier and more robust trials in the future. Results from the T Trials have been coming in and overall results are mixed, with testosterone replacement associated with some benefits and some risks. More research needs to be done to figure out the balance of these potential benefits and risks as well as the precise clinical utility of testosterone treatment. The T Trials were a set of seven clinical trials hosted at 12 sites around the country.

In the aggregate, men ages 65 or older with low levels of testosterone and associated symptoms participated. First, participants had to qualify for one of the three main trials. These were the:. Then, participants could participate in any of the other trials for which they qualified.

People were excluded who had certain conditions, such as prostate cancer, heart problems, or kidney problems.

In all the trials, participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or placebo group. Men in the experimental group applied a testosterone gel daily AndroGel for 12 months; the placebo group received a placebo gel without testosterone.

Participants were regularly assessed. Importantly, the trials were double-blinded, meaning that the researchers and the participants didn't know which gel was administered. Results from the first three trials were reported in February in the New England Journal of Medicine. Inclusion in the Sexual Function Trial required participants to have a decrease in libido along with a sexual partner willing to have intercourse two times a month. Inclusion in the Physical Function Trial required participants to have slow gait speed, difficulty walking, and difficulty climbing stairs.