Over the Counter Testosterone Therapy – Why Is It Dangerous?
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There is no such thing as “over-the-counter” testosterone therapy. Testosterone is a prescription medication, and real testosterone replacement is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
You need to ignore the countless emails you may have received or ads you see online for “over-the-counter testosterone.” There is no such thing! Testosterone is a drug prescribed by doctors for patients who have been diagnosed with a testosterone deficiency.
Are Testosterone Boosters Safe?
If you take one message away from this page and only one message, it should be this: there is no other way to receive genuine testosterone therapy than with a doctor’s prescription.
Any product that you see advertised as “testosterone” that you can buy without a doctor’s prescription cannot, by law – contain any testosterone. Most of these products are “testosterone boosters,” which are usually combinations of amino acids, proteins, and other supplements. The claims made by these testosterone booster supplements are dubious at best. There is very little clinical evidence to back up their supposed ability to boost your testosterone level.
Also, these products are entirely unregulated by the FDA, and they can contain unknown or toxic ingredients. Worse yet, some men looking for over-the-counter testosterone may be conned into buying “black market” testosterone. This is not only illegal; it can be hazardous to your health or even fatal!
“Black market” testosterone is any testosterone you can buy online without a doctor’s prescription. These sites are illegitimate and likely get their testosterone from unregulated labs in India and China.
No legitimate American company will risk their business license by selling testosterone without a prescription. That means you must go to an overseas company to buy what seems to be “over the counter” testosterone if you do not have a doctor’s prescription.
Not only are you technically breaking the law by buying this kind of so-called over-the-counter testosterone, but the money you think you will save is not worth the potential risk. The testosterone sold on these black market websites has been known to be completely fake, containing no testosterone at all or testosterone of such a low quality that it has little or no therapeutic effect.
But that is not the worst of it. What seems to be “over the counter testosterone” sold on the black market could also contain toxins, bacteria, substitute drugs, or other hazardous ingredients that can be harmful or even fatal! No amount of savings is worth this risk.
Why Would Anyone Look for Over-the-Counter Testosterone Treatment?
You may be wondering if it is illegal and so dangerous, why would anyone ever be looking for “over-the-counter testosterone?” Sometimes it is because they want to use testosterone illicitly for some reason, like to bulk up or to enhance athletic performance. But, more often than not, people seek out what they think are alternative sources of testosterone to save money. However, one should never risk compromising their health simply to save a few bucks!
That is not to say that you are not entitled to shop for the best price you can get for testosterone. Of course, you are. But you should only do so from legitimate, legal sources of testosterone.
When you do, the cost of actual prescription testosterone may surprise you and be cheaper than you think!
In fact, dollar-for-dollar testosterone therapy is probably the cheapest form of hormone replacement therapy there is.
Where to Get Effective Testosterone Treatment
The only place to get real, safe, and effective testosterone treatment is to receive a diagnosis of low testosterone from your doctor and get a prescription for testosterone replacement therapy.
Any medical doctor can write you a prescription for testosterone therapy. But that does not mean you should get your testosterone therapy from just any doctor. You need to work with doctors like those at our clinics that specialize in age-related hormone decline.
And remember, if you were looking for over-the-counter testosterone because you wanted to save money on testosterone treatments, legitimate testosterone replacement therapy does not have to be prohibitively expensive. There are ways to buy less expensive testosterone without compromising your health or safety. For example, some brands of prescription testosterone are cheaper than others. Women, because they require small doses than men, will always pay less for testosterone therapy.
Our doctors will always work with you to develop a treatment plan for testosterone replacement therapy that is right for your symptoms and your budget.
There could be ways to lower the cost of testosterone therapy. Many testosterone manufacturers offer a discount on their products for those who need testosterone therapy but do not have health coverage. There may be other ways that our doctors and staff can help you to afford your testosterone prescription.
Our goal is to see that patients who need testosterone therapy do not miss out because the cost is too high. We have designed many programs to fit various needs and lifestyles, and we will do our best to find a testosterone replacement treatment plan that is within your budget.
Now that you know more about why you should avoid any “over-the-counter” testosterone, why not contact us today and learn more about the real benefits you can receive from legitimately prescribed testosterone replacement therapy.
FAQ
1. Where Can I Get Over-the-Counter Testosterone?
You cannot get over-the-counter testosterone in any form. What appears to be over-the-counter testosterone are "testosterone supplements." These products are everywhere; online, on TV, in health food stores, and muscle mags, making dubious claims about how they can "boost your testosterone level.
Most of these claims are false. And even the products that do have some evidence of being able to boost your testosterone behind them can never raise your testosterone level anywhere near what legitimate testosterone replacement therapy can.
2. What Is Testosterone Therapy?
Testosterone therapy is a medical procedure used to treat testosterone deficiency. Testosterone is a critical hormone to many aspects of your physical health and emotional wellbeing. A testosterone deficiency is when your body is making inadequate amounts of testosterone.
There can be several reasons that cause a testosterone deficiency, but the most common cause is the steady decline in testosterone that occurs as men age. Testosterone therapy is designed to make you feel younger, stronger, and improve your confidence, so you can continue to do all the things you enjoy most in life.
3. What Are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
The signs and symptoms of low testosterone, also known as Low-T include:
- Decrease in libido or sex drive
- An overall feeling of reduced virility and vigor
- Changes in mood
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of stamina
- Loss of muscle tone
- Weight gain
- Loss of memory and other cognitive issues
4. Do I Need a Prescription for Testosterone Therapy?
Yes, absolutely! You can only get testosterone injections with a doctor’s prescription. You can only get a prescription for testosterone injections once you have been diagnosed with low testosterone. Do not be fooled by the ads you may hear on the radio or see online or in muscle magazines. There is no such thing as "non-prescription" or “over-the-counter testosterone.” The only way to get authentic testosterone therapy is with a doctor’s prescription. Before you can get a prescription for testosterone injections, you must have the level of testosterone in your blood tested.
If your testosterone blood test indicates that your testosterone levels are lower than they should be for your age, your doctor will be able to provide you with a legal prescription for testosterone injections.
5. How Do I Get a Prescription for Testosterone Therapy?
While you must have a prescription for testosterone therapy, the process to get one is not that complicated. In fact, it only takes these five simple steps.
- Step 1 – Fill out an online medical history form – This first step is indeed the only step in the process of getting a prescription for testosterone injections that can be done online.
- Step 2 - See a doctor –If your online medical history form indicates that you are a good candidate for testosterone therapy, the next step is to see your doctor. He or she will discuss your medical history in further detail, ask you more about your symptoms, and take a complete physical exam.
- Step 3 – Laboratory hormone testing – Once you have completed your physical exam, you will be referred to a laboratory to have the testosterone hormone levels in your blood tested.
- Step 4 – You will obtain a prescription for a program of testosterone injections - If the results of your laboratory tests show that you have a testosterone deficiency and are suffering from low testosterone, your doctor will prescribe a dosage of testosterone therapy to suit your needs and lifestyle.
- Step 5 – Your testosterone will be delivered to you – Your prescription for testosterone therapy will be forwarded to one of the pharmacies we work with that specializes in filling prescriptions for testosterone injections. The pharmacy will then deliver your testosterone therapy supplies to you.
