The unfortunate reality is that there are way too many bodybuilders and athletes who self-administer anabolic steroids for physical and performance gains.
And while there are many side effects even when you take testosterone injections as prescribed by a doctor, it can get even more serious when the dosage is way too high.
To find out exactly what happens from a medical perspective, I spent a few hours with a doctor to research scientific literature on this topic.
What I found is that testosterone overdoses are not quite as straightforward as people believe.
Quick Summary
- You can overdose on testosterone, but it has severe effects, some of which are hard to reverse.
- Testosterone injections are a common treatment for male hypogonadism, and they can help reverse many health conditions.
- Figuring out the right dosage requires a doctor's opinion, and regular monitoring of testosterone levels.
What Will Happen If You Take Too Much Testosterone?
If you take too much testosterone, you can develop a range of light and severe side effects. Many of these might even become very difficult or impossible to reverse [1].
Some of the effects can be minor, like skin rashes and reddening. But in severe cases, such an overdose can lead to organ failure.
The important thing to clarify here is what a testosterone overdose actually means.
With most drugs, there is a recommended safe amount, and if you take too much of one, you could end up in serious trouble within minutes or hours.
For example, taking too many paracetamol tablets could cause your liver function to shut down.
However, even with a very high testosterone dosage, it typically doesn’t cause immediate issues. What doctors refer to here is a chronic overdose [2].
This is where people either take too much during a regular steroid cycle, or they take the right amount for much longer than a safe cycle.
And when it comes to bodybuilders and athletes, there are quite a few of them who end up taking anabolic steroids for years without taking long enough breaks.
How Do You Figure Out How Much Testosterone To Take?
A doctor can figure out how much testosterone you should take by first checking your testosterone levels.
This involves a simple blood test that will indicate both total and free testosterone levels [3].
This will give an indication of how far away your current levels are from an ideal level, and a certain amount of injected testosterone can make up the difference.
It’s then also important to repeat the blood test regularly to monitor how the drug is working, and based on those results, a doctor may recommend changing the dosage or timing.
The important thing to note is that this isn’t something you should try and work out yourself.
“Usually, you'll get a total testosterone test as a screening test. This measures both free and attached testosterone. To diagnose certain conditions, doctors sometimes look only at free testosterone levels.”
- Sabrina Felson, MD at WebMD.com
Symptoms Of Taking Too Much
There are several symptoms of taking too much testosterone, especially when it comes to chronic overdoses [4].
Here are just a few to look out for:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in Skin Color
- Swollen Joint
- Liver and Kidney Problems
- Increased Blood Calcium Levels
- Enlarged Breasts (Gynecomastia)
- Enlarged Prostate
Keep in mind that whether it’s a single overdose or a chronic overdose that you’re dealing with, you should always immediately talk to your doctor.
Are There Safer Alternatives?
Yes, there are many safer alternatives to taking hormone therapy drugs, such as lifestyle changes and natural testosterone boosters.
First of all, you should always make sure that you have a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise routine [5].
This can have quite a significant impact on your body's ability to produce testosterone.
And then, you should consider taking a daily T-booster supplement. These are based on natural ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and herbs that have a proven link to testosterone production.
They don’t work as fast as medical drugs, but you can achieve noticeable and consistent improvements in less than two months.
And you won’t have to worry about nasty side effects.
FAQs
Can You Overdose On Testosterone Cream?
No, you can’t overdose on testosterone cream, but it’s still not a good idea to apply more than recommended. These creams typically contain quite a small amount of testosterone, but using too much may lead to skin irritations.
Can a Testosterone Overdose Kill You?
Yes, an overdose of testosterone can kill you after a long abuse. It’s less common to cause sudden cardiac issues, including heart attacks, but long-term overdosing may lead to organ failure that can lead to death.
Use Safe Alternatives For Boosted T-Levels
I always advise readers and clients to stay away from anabolic steroid drugs and testosterone therapy unless a doctor recommends it for an underlying health condition.
The risks are just too high in the short and medium term.
What I tell people to try instead is to take a natural testosterone booster. Here is a list of supplements that contain vitamins, minerals, and herbs that are backed by reliable scientific studies to help with hormone production.
They might not work as fast as medical drugs, but all of our testing data shows that they can make a huge difference over several months.
References:
- https://www.rxwiki.com/testosterone
- https://drugabuse.com/stimulants/steroids/overdose/
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/testosterone-test
- https://www.rxwiki.com/testosterone
- https://www.webmd.com/men/features/exercise-and-testosterone
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