Testosterone replacement therapy ups stroke risk in men
Ageing men with low testosterone levels who take testosterone replacement
therapy (TRT) are at a greater risk of experiencing an ischemic stroke or a
cardiac arrest especially during the first two years of use, warn researchers.
The findings confirm
concerns voiced by many health agencies about the potential risks associated
with the treatment.
“Our findings show that the use of TRT was associated with an increased
risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack or cardiac arrest during the first
two years of use,” said a researcher.
According to researchers, there is limited evidence on the long-term
clinical benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to effectively treat
the modestly declining levels of endogenous testosterone levels of aging but
healthy men.
“We strongly recommend that clinicians proceed with caution when
considering prescribing TRT and first discuss both the potential benefits and
risks with patients,” the Dr. said.
The study analysed a large database of electronic medical records of
patients enrolled in primary care practices in the UK and formed a cohort of
15,401 men, aged 45 years or older, with low testosterone levels
(hypogonadism).
Users of TRT had a 21 per cent greater risk of cardiovascular events
compared with non-users, corresponding to an additional 128 events.
The increased risk appears to be transient, declining after two years of
TRT use, which the investigators attribute to a phenomenon called “depletion of susceptible”.