Testim and High Blood Pressure

[rumpole]

I had a physical on July 19th, which found blood pressure of 130 over 80.  I had experienced mild ed and was told that my testosterone level was in the 200s.  I was prescribed Testim 1%, 50 mg per day.  Ten days after starting the Testim, my cardioolgist found blood pressure of 196 over 96 and did a stress test.  At the highest exercise level I was 250 over 100.  I dont know yet whether any heart abnormalities showed up.  High blood pressure is listed as a Testim risk in 1% of cases.  I am 62 years old and had an ablation which successfully corrected an atrial flutter three years ago.  I am otherwise in good health, am a non smoker, drink moderately, exercise regularly, and am 5'10" and 195.  My question is could Testim have caused such a jump in blood pressure?  If not, what could, and what should I do next?
Frank Samford

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

As rightly pointed out by you, rise in blood pressure is a potential side effect of using androgen supplement. One thing you can do is to stop taking this medication and consult you urologist for alternative prescription for ED. One class of medication which can be prescribed for mild to moderate is PDE5 inhibitors like viagra (provided their are no contraindications).
AT