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Testosterone Prescriptions Lacking Crucial Pre-Tests
16 Jun
Summary
- Only 12% of men received adequate testing for low testosterone.
- More than half of men had sleep apnea, worsened by testosterone.
- Most prescriptions were written by primary care physicians.
New research presented on June 13, 2026, indicates a significant gap in the proper assessment of men prescribed testosterone. A study involving 200 men treated between 2020 and 2025 found that only 12% underwent testing sufficient to accurately diagnose low testosterone levels, a condition known as hypogonadism.
The implications of this oversight are concerning. Over half of the men studied (55%) had sleep apnea, which can be worsened by testosterone therapy. Additionally, 4% were diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease that can be accelerated by testosterone, and 1.5% had elevated PSA levels that could suggest cancer. Most of these prescriptions, approximately 45%, were issued by primary care physicians, with urologists and endocrinologists also involved.
Researchers suggest that these findings point to opportunities for enhancing patient care and curbing inappropriate testosterone prescribing. Implementing quality-improvement efforts and clinical decision support tools could promote more consistent adherence to established guidelines for testosterone prescriptions.
