Is Testosterone Therapy Associated With Risks Of Myocardial Infarction And Stroke

By Author: Robert Tan
Total Articles: 8
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In the past 5 years, there were studies associating testosterone therapy with myocardial infarctions (MI). One study found 1223 hypogonadal veterans undergoing coronary angiography and who had used testosterone to have increased risk of adverse outcomes. The other study of 55,593 patients in an insurance database found that the risk of heart attacks was increased in older men and younger men with pre-existing heart disease.

A study we looked atto refute the findings above was a study at the multi center Low T Centers. These community based specialized centers have strict protocols requiring regular 2-week monitoring in the office for efficacy and safety. They conducted a retrospective analysis of patients that had MI and strokes pre and post testosterone therapy. Data was extracted from the electronic health record (Advance MD) of the multi site Low T Centers across the United States. Altogether 40 Centers were examined. Prior to extraction of data; they held 3 nationwide conference calls with providers to ensure that all ICD-9 were updated, with particular ...
... attention to MI and strokes. They also interviewed families with patients that had fatal MI. 39,937 patients were seen between years 1999-2004 and approximately 50% met criteria for treatment. Of the treated patients, there were 3 non-fatal MI and 2 probable fatal MI; and rate of new MI was 25 per 100,000. There were 46 patients with pre therapy M.I. of which none had adverse outcomes after testosterone. Of the treated patients, there was one case of stroke; and rate of new stroke was 5 per 100,000. There were 12 patients with pre therapy stroke and none had adverse outcomes after testosterone. The risks for new MI and stroke were compared to the Kaiser Permanente and Northern Manhattan Registry which was 208 per 100,000 and 93 per 100,000 respectively. Rate ratio (RR) for MI in testosterone treated patients is 0.12 (C.I. 0.08 to 0.18, p