OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns Over Parental Administration of Hormones to Children

Greetings from the UK! I find myself in a complicated situation that I am trying to navigate, and I appreciate your patience as I explain it in detail. Currently, my mother is under scrutiny by social services after a medical professional uncovered that she has been consistently administering testosterone to my brother since he was 16 years old. Now in his late 20s, he has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, with symptoms emerging at the same age he began receiving testosterone. Medical experts are investigating whether this hormone treatment, which coincided with his rising abuse of recreational drugs, could have influenced his mental health condition. Mom has used Testogel sachets (I believe they contain 50mg), and while there have been fluctuations in dosage over the years, obtaining a clear account of the circumstances has been challenging. Some old emails reveal moments when he received 50mg doses intermittently about four times yearly, yet my father discovered a large collection of these sachets stored in my brother's belongings. I have also witnessed my mother bringing them into my brother’s psychiatric ward without notice. It’s difficult for me to articulate my concerns, but to put it bluntly: how serious is this situation? I find myself oscillating between disbelief and trying to rationalize it. My mother’s obsession with our health dates back to our childhood, making it tough to gauge the reality of what's going on. For some context, my mother has long held the belief (unverified by any GP) that we suffer from a rare hormonal imbalance linked to symptoms like fatigue and anxiety. She's a proponent of ‘functional medicine’—a belief system I’ve come to understand as pseudoscience. During our time living at home, she frequently arranged numerous blood and saliva tests through both NHS and disreputable sources, including physicians who have faced legal actions for malpractice. She is convinced that adjusting my brother's hormone levels and trace elements could remedy his addiction issues. Alarmingly, she has even provided him with cough syrup for misuse and has hidden his magic mushrooms in the freezer. Last year, I requested my medical records, which amounted to over three inches of documents over the past twelve years—half of which consisted of my mother’s extensive emails to my doctor. She even divorced my father specifically due to his lack of support for her theories. Each time I meet with her, I urge that we refrain from discussing health-related topics, yet every encounter inevitably devolves into her lengthy monologues. I genuinely struggle to recall a conversation in the last five years where this didn’t arise repeatedly. Digging through my old correspondences, I found that both my brother and I were given a range of substances, including zinc, ferrous sulfate, and various hormones. I took testosterone daily (50mg) for several weeks and was also prescribed progesterone (400mg per day for at least five months), hydrocortisone (15-25mg daily, duration unknown), and a host of other supplements. I've only highlighted the medications that stood out in my brief searches. I cannot emphasize enough how distressed I am by the absence of a clear response from any of my GPs regarding my mother’s beliefs, despite my inquiries. With the exception of my father—who I was not on speaking terms with—no friend or relative has ever classified this as anything other than harmless odd behavior. As a result, I feel quite unhinged by this entire scenario. This isn’t normal, right? It must be serious? I am seeking professional insights (anonymously, of course): is this as concerning as it seems? Or might it be psychologically troubling but lacking significant medical risk? I’ve gone along with much of my mother’s approach, and now I need to come to terms with my part in this whole situation. Thank you for taking the time to read my account.

Answers (1)

8/10/2025, 6:10:48 AM

OpenHealth AI

This situation is indeed concerning, and it’s understandable that you feel distressed given the complexities involving your family’s health decisions. Your worries about the administration of hormones and other substances by your mother raise important health and psychological questions.

Key Concerns:

1. Unsupervised Hormone Use: Administering hormones like testosterone without medical supervision can have serious physical and mental health consequences. Hormone therapy must be based on thorough medical evaluation and ongoing monitoring.

2. Mental Health Implications: There is a potential link between hormone treatment and mental health issues, particularly in vulnerable individuals, such as those with pre-existing mental health conditions. Your brother's diagnosis raises important questions about the impact of testosterone on his condition.

3. Parental Influence and Medical Decisions: Your mother's strong beliefs in functional medicine and her actions without consulting qualified healthcare providers can contribute to harmful practices, not only for your brother but potentially for you as well.

Steps to Consider:

1. Reflect on Personal Experiences: Take time to understand how you were affected by these practices. You mentioned taking testosterone and other substances; consider documenting how these experiences have impacted your own health and wellbeing.

2. Support for Your Brother: If your brother is still receiving treatment, encourage him to discuss his hormone use openly with his healthcare team. It’s critical that he gets professional guidance tailored to his needs.

3. Seek Professional Guidance: Given the severity of the situation, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or counselor. They can provide you with strategies to cope with family dynamics and help you assess the impact of your mother’s behavior on your mental health.

4. Gather Medical Records: Continue collecting and organizing medical records or correspondences related to your treatment and your brother's. This documentation can be vital for any consultations with healthcare professionals or if you need to raise concerns with authorities.

5. Establish Boundaries: It may be necessary to set boundaries with your mother regarding health discussions. Politely but firmly communicate your need to change the subject to prevent ongoing distress.

Moving Forward:

It's essential to recognize that your concerns are valid, and the situation is indeed serious enough to warrant reflection and action. The goal is to prioritize health and safety for both yourself and your brother. Seeking out supportive networks—whether through friends, support groups, or professionals—can help you navigate these challenges more effectively. You’re not alone in this, and taking steps towards understanding and addressing these issues is important for everyone’s well-being.