Ask HN: Why is testosterone a scheduled substance in the USA?

  • I'm wondering if it has to do with the abuse by athelets both amature and profesional. I remember a time when it was easily bought in high school to increase your muscle mass. The problem is that it's very dangerous and can lead to death when abused. There was also the issue of roid rage that leads to people getting out of control. There were a few nationwide reports of men killing their families and themselves because they lost the ability to control themselves.

  • It's frustrating. The thing about lab testing results in general, is that they aren't really the "optimal" value but rather a range in a population from like age 18 to age 85+. Much like how vitamin RDAs are really the bare minimum needed to avoid scurvy and the like.

    So if you are having symptoms of needing supplementation, the doctor will just shrug and say you're still in the normal range.