Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women. However, men’s levels of the hormone are much higher than women’s levels. Men’s levels of testosterone generally peak in their late teens or early 20s, and they begin declining every year after that age range.
Because the year-to-year decrease is small, most men don’t notice any differences. However, over a long period, men may have half the testosterone they had when they were younger, and that CAN cause issues, including reduced energy, poor focus and concentration, weight gain, and other undesirable effects.
To counteract this decrease, some men take testosterone replacement therapy. Men can receive additional testosterone in many ways, including patches, injections, gels, and pills. While these therapies can help men who are suffering from the effects of low testosterone, they can also come with a serious and potential fatal price: an increased risk of heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement concerning testosterone replacement therapy and the risk of heart attacks and other potentially fatal cardiovascular events on March 3, 2015. In that statement, the FDA recommended that patients who use testosterone therapy replacement seek immediate medical attention if they notice symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on side of their body, or slurred speech, as they could be indicative of heart attack or stroke.
Low testosterone can pose health problems of its own, but men who undergo replacement therapy must be cautious and careful—and if they’re seriously injured, they need legal assistance! Contact the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel today for a free consultation if you or someone you love was harmed by testosterone replacement therapy.