Derek Illman of London, Ont., is a health fanatic and a self-proclaimed “podcast junkie.”
By way of conversations on the fitness center and whereas listening to podcasters, the 55-year-old discovered about testosterone alternative remedy (TRT) and its potential in boosting power and energy.
“I thought, ‘If TRT can help me get some minor improvements in performance at the gym, will that translate to longevity?’” stated Illman.
“It makes sense to me in my non-medical mind that improved performance at the gym should translate potentially into a healthier day-to-day feeling or ideally, better aging.”
I feel in a correctly assessed particular person, testosterone could be a great remedy that’s very efficient.– Dr. Gerald Brock
Illman stated his fitness center pal informed him it was simple to buy TRT on-line, however Illman wished to undergo a trusted household physician as an alternative. After being assessed, he began on a low dose of TRT gel in December to enhance low testosterone.
However whereas Illman was prescribed the remedy, a London urologist says some males are taking it with out assembly the standards, which might include dangers.
“My concern is that many of these men don’t have low testosterone, and if they’re not properly assessed, they may just be prescribed the medication without really needing it,” stated Dr. Gerald Brock, former president of each the Canadian Urology Affiliation and Worldwide Society for Sexual Drugs.
Dr. Gerald Brock, a urologist primarily based in London, Ont., says many males interested by beginning testosterone alternative remedy don’t truly meet the standards for low testosterone. (Submitted by Gerald Brock)
“I think often they go online, they look at the symptoms and they think that they have many of the symptoms that are outlined.”
A examine from the Amercian Urological Basis discovered 1 / 4 of males don’t get their testosterone examined earlier than beginning TRT and about half who’ve begun the remedy don’t get their ranges examined afterwards.
There are legitimate medical causes to be on TRT underneath the steerage of a health care provider, stated Brock. Nevertheless, he added, about half of his sufferers interested by beginning TRT haven’t been examined by a medical skilled for low testosterone, and have as an alternative picked it up by way of web sites, buddies or sellers at gyms.
“That’s a real problem because if you’re taking any medication and it’s not for the right reason, then you’re not going to derive the benefits and you may be exposed to some of the harms,” Brock stated, including a health care provider will do blood exams and assess signs earlier than prescribing TRT.
Ontario Today46:36What’s been your expertise with testosterone alternative remedy?
We hear your tales about taking testosterone — on and off label — and listen to from an professional in males’s well being, Dr. Gerald Brock.
Dangers of being on the remedy might embrace blood thickening, which might trigger a stroke or coronary heart assault, fertility points and cardiovascular issues, Brock stated — and these points might be amplified when folks take the mistaken dosage or don’t monitor doable side-effects with a health care provider.
A few of these side-effects may embrace fatigue, decreased muscle mass and diminished sexual operate.
On-line ‘manosphere’ popularizing TRT
Low testosterone is just not an rising downside, stated Brock, however there’s extra consciousness of the problem and entry to TRT, particularly amongst youthful males.
Chatter round TRT could possibly be linked to a web-based “manosphere” motion, stated Christian Ylagan, who teaches a course about masculinity at Western College.
Manosphere refers to a web-based subculture of males expressing dissatisfaction with a perceived lack of masculinity and opposing feminism, Ylagan defined. He stated the subculture typically conforms to traditional types of masculinity, the place males are anticipated to be dominant, muscular and sexually lively.
Christian Ylagan, who teaches within the division of gender, sexuality and ladies’s research at Western College in London, says a web-based ‘manosphere’ motion could possibly be making extra younger males conscious of TRT. (Submitted by Christian Ylagan)
“The use of hormone therapy, in my mind, is really tied to reinforcing some of the ideas of masculinity that we have,” Ylagan stated.
Financial success has additionally been a conventional marker of masculinity, Ylagan stated. However as that turns into harder for younger males to realize, many are turning to bodily augmentation, he added.
“There’s this narrative that if you just work on your body or achieve certain things, then you’ll be considered an ideal man, but what does that even really mean?”
Weighing advantages and dangers
Illman stated he stopped the TRT gel after three months as a result of he seen a change in his temper — he grew to become extra irritable whereas driving, working and grocery purchasing.
“I was noticeably short tempered and my patience was lacking,” he stated. “I just thought this irritability is not a good personality trait that I want to perpetuate.”
Illman tried TRT between December 2024 and February 2025. He’s taking a break from TRT however says he’s prepared to strive it once more sooner or later. (Submitted by Derek Illman)
Brock stated temper adjustments are a comparatively unusual side-effect.
Whereas TRT is just not for everybody, the physician stated, it may be an excellent match for males who meet the standards for low testosterone.
“I think in a properly assessed individual, testosterone can be a wonderful treatment that’s very effective,” he stated. “From my perspective, if they’re evaluated properly and they understand the risks, the benefits often outweigh the risks.”
Now off TRT for a month, Illman stated his temper has returned to regular, however he’s additionally once more experiencing diminished energy and endurance on the fitness center.
He stated he would think about going again on the remedy sooner or later, however is glad to be on a break for now.
