Resolved question:
Can possible damage from testosterone therapy be reversed if discontinued? According to reports just published damage would most likely be to the heart.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Cardiologist
Hello,
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Testosterone do affect heart and heart muscles, but the most common effects occur in the reproductive organs (testes), general muscle mass, prostate etc. Heart is NOT the most common organ affected. However long term use of testosterone can cause some undesirable side effects like enlargement of heart size. This is generally reversible . Your Doctor can monitor it by doing a ECHO (a heart scan once in two years or so).
However it is seen that patients on testosterone therapy have a bad lipid profile (only in selected few). There is an increase in the LDL (bad) cholesterol and decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol. This is increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke.
Hence when on testosterone therapy should monitor their blood lipid profile periodically and should weigh the benefit versus risk before going on the therapy.
Testosterone therapy once stopped may result in the lipid profile coming to normal with 6-12 months.
So basically the effects are reversible if used in prescribed duration and dosage.
Edit :
Many studies indicates beneficial effects in heart failure and angina, however I assume you are not having any of these conditions.
Hope this helps
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Thank you