Testosterone is a hormone naturally produced by men in their brains and testicles. Testosterone maintains muscle mass, hair patterns, and sex drive.
Some men have a condition known as hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is a lowered production of testosterone. Lower testosterone is often linked to such conditions as increased body fat, loss of body hair, hot flashes, and loss of muscle mass. Low testosterone can also result in insomnia, depression, and reduced energy.
The need for low testosterone treatments is diagnosed with a blood test. Men can display many symptoms as they age. Some that might result from reduced testosterone levels can include the following:
- Changes in sexual function: This might include reduced sexual desire and infertility;
- Physical changes: Low testosterone might lead a person to suffer from increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and strength, and reduced bone density. Loss of body hair and loss of energy are also possible;
- Emotional changes: A person may find that their motivation or self-confidence has diminished. A person may experience feelings of sadness or depression, an inability to concentrate, or trouble remembering things.
However, some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, e.g., the side effects of medication, sleep apnea, thyroid problems, diabetes, and depression. Moreover, these conditions themselves can cause reduced testosterone levels, so treatment for these conditions might improve a person’s testosterone levels. This is why a blood test is necessary to diagnose low testosterone, and all of the possible factors that may cause it must be considered.
Men who have true hypogonadism may undergo treatment to boost their testosterone back to normal levels. Technically referred to as “TRT” for “testosterone replacement therapy” or “ART” for androgen replacement therapy, TRT is the treatment that doctors provide to men who have testosterone deficiency with the symptoms of hypogonadism. Treatment can come in the form of gels, creams, patches, implants, and even testosterone injections.
Are There Any Health Risks With Testosterone Treatments?
Low testosterone treatments are not recommended for everyone. First, hypogonadism can be mistaken for other conditions. Excessive consumption of alcohol, the side effects of medication, and the normal process of aging can lower testosterone.
However, hypogonadism is the production of testosterone that is below normal levels. As a man ages, his testosterone naturally goes down, but those levels would be normal for men as they age. The use of testosterone treatment without hypogonadism can be dangerous and is not recommended.
More importantly, a recent study showed that men over 65 had twice the rate of heart attacks in the three months after beginning testosterone treatment. The same was true for men under 65, but only for those who had a history of heart conditions.
Testosterone therapy is a treatment for hypogonadism because it can help reverse the effects of this condition. However, it is not clear that testosterone therapy is of benefit to older men who are healthy but may have low testosterone because of their age. So, lack of effectiveness is one problem with testosterone therapy for low testosterone levels related to normal aging.
Some men who may have taken testosterone supplements to reverse the effects of normal aging believe they feel younger and more energetic if they take testosterone supplements. However, there is little evidence that supports the effectiveness of testosterone supplements in men who are otherwise healthy.
The American College of Physicians expresses the opinion that testosterone therapy might improve sexual function to some degree in some men. However, there is not enough evidence that it is effective in improving a person’s energy.
Other side effects of testosterone treatment may include the following:
- Sleep Apnea: Testosterone therapy can make sleep apnea worse;
- Skin Reactions: The therapy can cause acne or other skin conditions;
- Prostate Issues: Testosterone therapy can stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate, known as “benign prostatic hyperplasia,” and the growth of existing prostate cancer;
- Blood Clots: Possibly the most dangerous possible side-effect is the risk of blood clots. Testosterone therapy can stimulate excess production of red blood cells. This stimulation can contribute to the increased risk of forming a blood clot. A blood clot can break, travel through a person’s bloodstream, and lodge in the lungs. This could block blood flow to the lungs, a dangerous condition.
- Other life-threatening conditions are possible with blood clots.
This list is not exhaustive. Other conditions are possible. Again, as noted above, there is research that shows that testosterone therapy can increase your risk of heart disease. More research is needed.
What Type of Claim Can I Bring if I Am Injured by Testosterone Therapy?
If a person has suffered adverse side effects or death after receiving prescription testosterone treatment, they might have three possible claims. These include claims for negligence, warning defects, and fraud.
Physicians who prescribe patients treatment without conducting proper tests may be committing medical malpractice through their negligence.
Drug companies are required to label their medications properly before placing their products on the market. Drug companies that manufacture testosterone treatments may neglect to mention that such treatments should only be used to treat hypogonadism.
They may also neglect to describe fully the possible adverse side effects of using the treatments. They may also fail to warn users that men with histories of heart conditions should ask their doctors before using such treatments and should possibly avoid them altogether.
Drug companies may also advertise testosterone treatment for depression, loss of sex drive, or other side effects of hypogonadism. However, the companies often fail to link such symptoms to hypogonadism. As mentioned above, testosterone treatment is only meant for hypogonadism. If drug companies mislead the public into believing that treatment can cure aging or drug use, the companies may be committing fraud.
Are there Lawsuits Against the Makers Of Testosterone Products?
Recall that testosterone products for use in TRT are approved for a low-T-related medical condition. However, in recent years, there has been a large increase in the marketing by manufacturers who claim amazing benefits of testosterone supplements that are not approved for either medical or other “off-label” uses, e.g., complaints related to age.
Of course, the manufacturers of these products exaggerate the potential for positive effects from their use. This exaggeration is part of their marketing.
These injuries have resulted in lawsuits against a few of the makers of testosterone products from victims who have suffered heart attacks, deaths, and other injuries. All indications suggest these lawsuits will continue against these and other makers.
The lawsuits are based on several legal theories under state and federal law, which include many of the same legal theories noted above, i.e., negligence, strict product liability for failure to warn and design defects, and breach of warranty, both express and implied.
A person may also claim that manufacturers engaged in misleading marketing when they marketed testosterone treatments for off-label uses that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Among the companies that have been sued are AbbVie, Allergan, and Endo Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuits against these and other manufacturers number in the thousands. Many of them have been consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL) and transferred to the U.S. District Court in the District of Northern Illinois. The MDL structure allows victims to seek damages related to their personal experience.
Many of these lawsuits have already been settled, while others are still in the pre-trial phase.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Help With My Testosterone Treatment Issue?
Testosterone replacement therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for men who suffer from the condition known as hypogonadism. However, the misuse of such treatments without the use of proper diagnostic procedures to treat other conditions for which it is not approved can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and death.
If you or your family has been injured by testosterone treatments, you should contact a class action lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can review the facts of your case and identify the manufacturer of the medication or supplement. Your lawyer can ensure that your lawsuit makes the right legal claims and is filed in the right court.
The success of your case may require the use of expert witnesses, and your lawyer knows how to make effective use of experts in cases such as these.
