Doctors say social media is driving men to NHS clinics for testosterone therapy they don’t need, creating extra pressure on waiting lists.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is meant for men with a confirmed hormone deficiency, verified through repeated blood tests and symptoms. But viral TikTok and Instagram videos are promoting blood tests as a shortcut to testosterone, claiming it boosts energy, concentration, and sex drive.
Experts warn unnecessary testosterone use can suppress natural hormone production, cause infertility, and raise risks of heart problems, blood clots, and mood disorders.
Prof Channa Jayasena of Imperial College London said NHS specialists are seeing increasing numbers of men who had private tests promoted by influencers and were incorrectly told they need testosterone. “They are filling our clinics. This is really affecting NHS care,” he said.
In the UK, advertising prescription drugs is illegal. But some influencers are promoting private clinics’ blood tests and offering discount codes or giveaways, encouraging men to pursue TRT without medical need. Private clinics charge £1,800–£2,200 for the first year, including medication and monitoring.
Jayasena added that many men are started on testosterone unnecessarily. “Certain symptoms, like erectile dysfunction, are linked to low testosterone. Other signs, like feeling tired or having less muscle, are not. Clinics are sometimes starting men with normal levels, which can cause infertility and other health risks.”
Doctors urge men to follow national clinical guidelines and avoid taking testosterone without proper medical advice.
