NYPost on the testosterone craze

Today’s influx of online and TV commercials about “Low T” might convince you that American men are facing a widespread epidemic of low testosterone.

But is it really that common?

Medically known as male hypogonadism, this condition occurs when the testicles do not produce enough testosterone, an essential hormone driving a wide range of male bodily functions and traits, from libido, muscle building and strength to blood cell production, bone density and even memory.

While it is true that testosterone levels naturally decline by about 1% per year after age 30, true hypogonadism is actually quite rare, affecting less than 1% of men.

Yet, public interest is skyrocketing.

A major byproduct of this boom is that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) — the prescription medical treatment for low testosterone — is increasingly being marketed as a lifestyle supplement for performance and optimization. This growing visibility has sparked trends like “testmaxxing” where men without a medical deficiency take TRT without a doctor’s guidance to accelerate their gym gains.

Unnecessary TRT carries serious health risks ranging from thickened blood to impaired cardiovascular health, and can also lead to physical dependency and infertility.

Here’s what men should know about low testosterone, including what’s normal, what’s not and when treatment is actually necessary.

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