Is It Safe to Use Testosterone Therapy While Taking Other Medicines?

Testosterone is used in hormone replacement therapy for men who are suffering from low testosterone levels.  As men age, their testosterone levels decrease which can lead to a variety of issues, such as a decreased sex drive, fatigue, muscle loss, and lack of mental clarity.  Testosterone replacement therapy or TRT has helped hundreds of thousands of men who were living with such effects of low testosterone and since helped them improve their lives.  However, since TRT may also carry a certain amount of risk and have some serious side effects, if used improperly,  it is important to only use TRT with medical supervision.

TRT can be administered in a number of ways, including injections, gels, patches, and pellets.  The goal of TRT is to reduce the symptoms associated with low testosterone levels and improve your quality of life. Since TRT can interact with certain medications, it is vital that your healthcare provider knows about any and all medications you are taking.  TRT interactions can alter the effectiveness of certain medications or lead to potentially negative side effects.

One side effect of TRT is that it can increase the production of red blood cells.  If an individual has underlying cardiovascular issues, this increase in red blood cells could thicken the blood and potentially increase the risk of developing blood clots.  Since some high blood pressure medicines can also increase the risk of blood clots, it is important for the medical specialist who is responsible for administering TRT to have your complete health history.  Some high blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs, may not interact with testosterone replacement therapy and are considered safe alternatives for lowering blood pressure for those using TRT.   Also, some studies have shown that TRT can actually lower blood pressure in individuals who suffer from low testosterone levels.

Other medicines that may interact with TRT are anti-coagulants or blood thinners, such as, warfarin and Coumadin.  These products may increase the risk of bleeding when combined with TRT.  There are other  blood thinners which are safer to use while taking TRT.  Blood thinners don’t actually thin the blood, but they are prescribed for people who have had a heart attack, a stroke, or a blood clot.  They are also prescribed for people who have certain medical conditions, such as, atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis.

A few studies seem to say that certain anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDS or nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs, may interact with TRT to cause higher PSA levels.  PSA levels are determined using a PSA test and are used to assess the health of the prostate gland.  High levels of PSA are believed to be prostate cancer indicators.  Other studies have shown that TRT alone does not cause an increased risk of getting prostate cancer and that TRT does not raise PSA levels.   More research is always needed with all types of medical interventions, like TRT.  This duality of thought highlights how important it is to always use medical supervision and follow required testing guidelines as you embark on a medical treatment plan to improve your health and life.

 

How Androgenix Can Help

If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with our staff and doctor about the risks and benefits. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or have any other concerns about your health, please contact our office and make an appointment with our staff and visit our office to get complete blood work and a physical examination.  You will be monitored by our team for treatment effectiveness and side effects on a regular basis. The team at Androgenix are here to support you in your journey for a better, healthier you. Our staff of caring healthcare practitioners will help diagnose and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.  Every person who enters our doors is treated as an individual deserving of care and respect.  We can help you feel and look better.  Give us a call today.

 

 

 

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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.