"Testosterone therapy is a prescription-only treatment recommended under national guidelines for men with a clinically proven deficiency, confirmed by symptoms and repeated blood tests. But a wave of viral videos on TikTok and Instagram have begun marketing blood tests as a means of accessing testosterone as lifestyle supplement, advertising the hormone as a solution to problems such as low energy levels, poor concentration and reduced sex-drive."
"At the national meeting, we asked 300 endocrinologists across the UK, everyone is seeing patients from these clinics every week, he said. They are filling our clinics. We used to see people with adrenal problems and diabetes, and it's really affecting NHS care. We are all asking how to deal with this."
"Advertising prescription drugs in the UK is illegal, but the Guardian has found that a number of TikTok influencers are collaborating with private medical clinics to advertise blood tests, which are legal to promote, as a route to testosterone therapy. Advocates for testosterone replacement therapy with thousands of followers are being paid or offered incentives by private clinics to promote discount codes and giveaways."
Viral social media videos promote private blood tests as a route to testosterone presented as a lifestyle supplement for low energy, poor concentration and reduced sex drive. Testosterone therapy is prescription-only and appropriate only for men with clinically proven deficiency confirmed by symptoms and repeated blood tests. Unnecessary testosterone can suppress natural hormone production, cause infertility, and increase risks of blood clots, heart problems and mood disorders. Influencers and private clinics are collaborating to advertise tests and incentives, driving large patient demand that is filling NHS endocrinology clinics and diverting care from other conditions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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