Do We Really Need Testosterone Commercials?

So many thoughts here to share, where do I start? The first place to begin is to put it on the table regarding advertising…..they must convince you that you must own what they are trying to sell. This is nothing new to you, is it? Nevertheless, for all the blatant references, and many that are much more subtle, advertising works and companies spend billions of dollars annually to get your attention and your dollars.

What’s this “Low T” stuff, anyway? Here we go again, Boomers. It’s as if the erectile dysfunction commercials weren’t enough. “Daddy, what is that reptile d’function they’re talking about.” All the Boomer guys who are looking in the mirror are noticing the changes and thinking the same thing. “That’s my problem, and thanks to a little spiked under-arm deodorant I can have a chest that’s not sagging and arms like I had 20 years ago.” Drug companies love it when we think that pills and potions are the ultimate fix. Don’t take me wrong, when it’s time for an antibiotic to fight an infection, I need your help, Doc. But “Low T” is not in the same category, and for the most part, statistically it appears to be relatively uncommon. Perhaps five percent of men in their seventies would meet the criteria to be diagnosed with ‘low t’, and less than one percent in their fifties, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. A study out of Australia presented to the Endocrine Society’s 94th meeting in Houston stated, “Testosterone changes are largely explained by smoking behavior and changes in health status, particularly obesity and depression.” That is the statement of the co-author of the study, Gary Wittert, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Adelaide. Get the picture?

Unfortunately much of medicine seems to be consumer-driven these days. There is no other reason for pharmaceutical companies to be on television to market drugs. Period. If you become convinced that your problems will be solved by a prescription from a doctor, you’ll find a doctor to write it.

And let me set the record straight for all you guys who think that a script for testosterone-laced gel is going to get you massive muscle gains. The big boys (and big girls) are into way more and powerful pharmaceuticals than you’re going to get from your primary care physician. The best and safest way to get to where you want to be is with measured self discipline over the course of time using time-tested fitness routines.

One of the statements in the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath which is used in many medical schools today states, “I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.”

Do we need to write more scripts for ‘low T’ based on consumer demand, or do we need to tell advertiser-influenced-script-seekers that they really suffer from ‘Low E’…..low effort regarding their own health and fitness?

To Your Health

sources
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-06/tes-dtl062212.php
https://samadimd.com/mens-health/do-you-have-low-testosterone
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/11-warning-signs-of-low-testosterone/10/