Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy they don’t need, adding pressure to already stretched waiting lists, doctors have said.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) 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.
Imagine what doctors in the US have to endure where television ads for prescription meds is considered normal…
As not-american it also surprise me the supplement in US is cheaper than real food
There’s a local talk radio station I sometimes enjoy, that’s been pushing this product/service a lot lately. The ad copy is exactly like all those old generic boner pill ads (which I never hear anymore, interestingly)… The setup is a list of typical male social anxieties plus vague stuff like ‘feeling tired,’ then they promise that more Testosterone is gonna fix all that up for you. Not surprising that it’d be sold on social media too.
Gender Affirming Care?!?
Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy they don’t need, adding pressure to already stretched waiting lists, doctors have said.
So social media is driving men to go get an annual checkup where the doctor does a blood sample and tests for low-T?
Well fuck, I get that every six months and it doesn’t seem to stress my doctor out at all. They also check my cholesterol and a bunch of other shit I don’t pretend to understand. I’m a special case though and have to go twice a year.
edit: I guess I’m saying that the NHS is a bit underfunded if they can’t provide a blood test for everyone once a year.
If you read the article, social media influencers are pushing private 3rd-party blood tests that return with a recommendation to get testosterone supplementation. People are showing up to appointments asking for testosterone based on these tests rather than based on any conversation with their doctor
