The number of testosterone prescriptions being given to American men has grown threefold over the past decade. According to statistics gathered from U.S. medical practitioners, American doctors wrote 5.3 million prescriptions each year between the years 2000 and 2011.  Men typically take testosterone supplements to increase some aspect of their physical ability, typically with sex or physical strength. These products typically come in the form of a testosterone gel, cream or pill.

In the November 2013 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study was published that observed the side effects of testosterone on men.  It followed 8,700 men with low testosterone levels, who had taken a variety of supplements for three years.  Researchers found that those who took testosterone suffered an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death by nearly 30%.  Dr. Michael Ho, cardiologist of the University of Colorado and lead author of this study, was surprised when he saw the risks the testosterone side effects carried.

“This study provides some information about potential adverse effects of testosterone supplementation.  This study should help inform the discussion between patient and providers about the risks and benefits before making an individualized decision,” Ho said.

While some were surprised at the findings, others simply stated that the testosterone study simply proved a concern that had already been known to cardiologists.

Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, was one of the medical experts who shared this opinion.  While he was not involved in the study, he was not surprised at all by the findings, and said that cardiac complications had been a long-time concern of testosterone supplementation.

Nissen hopes this study will slow down the sales of products used to treat low testosterone levels, and encourage men to talk to consult their physicians before going into hormone replacement therapy.  Nissen stated that most of these supplements have not undergone scientific studies, or pre-clinical trials, making many men expose themselves to unprecedented dangers when they take these supplements.

“It is now imperative that the FDA insist on large randomized controlled trials to find out if this therapy is safe or not,” Nissen said.

Overview of Testosterone Side Effects

Part of what has stemmed this problem are the manufacturing companies of these low testosterone products, which typically do not adequately describe the side effects of testosterone.  It has been a successful industry throughout the years, with the number of middle-aged men opting for testosterone therapy increasing threefold over the last decade.  While these companies have profited quite heavily, many of the long-term side effects of testosterone are largely unknown, and have only been explored recently.

These manufacturing companies often promise the benefits of improved health, sex drive, strengthen bone density, and even increased muscle build.  Despite the recent study, many companies maintain their products are highly beneficial, and carry minimal risks.

For example: AbbVie, the company behind the popular AndroGel testosterone gel product, referred to past studies which suggested that these supplements protected against metabolic syndrome and early death in men with low testosterone.

“FDA-approved testosterone-replacement therapies have been used to treat men with low or no testosterone (hypogonadism), who have been diagnosed by a physician, for 20 years, with therapeutic risks well documented in the prescribing labels,” the company said in a statement to ABC News.

Overall though, other companies maintained the vitality of their products, but pointed out that they did not condone the use of their products for off-label purposes.  Conclusively, many medical experts who reviewed the study recommends men consult their doctors before taking any testosterone supplements.

However, this study came too late for many patients, which has led to product liability lawsuits and class action lawsuits being filed against some testosterone supplement companies.