If you’re reading this, it is safe to assume that you know more than a thing or two about muscle, and bodybuilding. It takes more than 30-day challenges or inconsistent trips to the gym. When you have been at it a while, you learn that the process influences your entire lifestyle. You would need to watch your habits, your diet, and a host of other factors.
You might be impatient doing all of that and not seeing results as fast as you would like. You might feel like you need a boost or something supplementary especially if you are at an age of declining Testosterone levels. That brings us to the question, “do you need TRT to build muscle?” To answer that, we would need to dive into the crux of it.
What Exactly is TRT and How Hoes It Work?
TRT refers to Testosterone Replacement Therapy. It is a hormonal treatment that targets androgens — particularly testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone secreted in males which regulates sperm production, muscle mass, blood cell production, fat, and sex drive. It is produced in each male body but in varying volumes and reduces over time.
As reported in a Harvard health article, as men age, testosterone levels drop very gradually, about 1% to 2% each year — unlike the relatively rapid drop in estrogen that causes menopause. Although pinpointing optimal testosterone levels is a controversial feat, more than a third of men over age 45 may have reduced levels of testosterone than might be considered normal. The thing is, doctors may not always let you get on testosterone therapy, which is why sometimes it’s best to work with an anti-aging clinic that specializes in hormone therapy.
How Does TRT Work?
Lower levels of testosterone (hypogonadism) are consistent with loss of libido, muscle mass, sperm count, and bone strength. As you well know, muscle building is enough of a quest even without having to deal with low testosterone. TRT either supplements or replaces the body’s existing testosterone, mitigating those unattractive consequences. It is prescribed by physicians as a treatment for older men and men with low testosterone levels.
The treatment can be administered in a number of ways. More often than not, it is administered through injections. It could also be administered through a patch, and orally. It has been found that TRT administered through injections produces greater benefits and fewer risks than its counterpart methods.
While the use cases have been thoroughly established, whether or not everyone should be using TRT still remains a topic of debate.
Who Can Use TRT?
It has been earlier exposed that lower levels of testosterone result in hypogonadism. This is most common in older men. TRT is a substance recommended or prescribed following testing, and discovering, cases of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism can occur primarily or secondarily. Primary hypogonadism involves issues with the gonads while secondary hypogonadism involves issues in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. TRT makes up for the deficiency.
There is no specific age at which TRT is acceptable for use. The timing is directly dependent on the need, but it is most popularly used for ages 20 and above. Males with normal, and slightly below-normal levels of testosterone are not a needy enough demographic for the prescription of TRT. Nevertheless, it is known to provide benefits for younger males with normal testosterone levels. Despite the merits, TRT is still unavailable for public purchase in the United States except with a prescription.
Testosterone therapy is beneficial for younger aged, middle-aged and older men, but with varying levels of ease of access. TRT is readily prescribed by physicians for an older demographic and while it comes with a myriad of benefits, it also comes with its own set of risks. The risks that come with TRT are largely docile but could prove to be more cumbersome to a younger demographic.
Risks of Using TRT
Alongside the risk of lower sperm production, a meta-analysis of 51 studies outlines the adverse effects of the therapy.
The analysis has confirmed three adverse events (AEs) resulting from TRT:
- Polycythemia occurring in 6% of participants,
- An increased number of prostate-related events,
- A small reduction in HDL cholesterol.
Prostate events consist of the combined incidence of elevated PSA, prostate biopsy necessitated by results of a digital rectal exam, increased urinary symptoms, and prostate cancer.
Other research works reported no evidence that TRT increases the risk of prostate cancer ratio. But in addition, some risks depend specifically on the mode of TRT administration. Injected TRT may cause pain or bleeding at the site of injection and should not be given to men receiving anticoagulants. Patches may cause skin reactions.
With a much clearer picture painted of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, the last thing is to consider is whether or not you should be using TRT to build muscle.
Do I Need TRT?
If you’re above the age of 50 looking for an answer to that question, a consultation with your physician might be all you need to get a go-ahead. At that age, it is much harder to build muscle and just as hard to rack up the needed energy.
If you’re a young or middle-aged man asking that question, your answer would be more tricky. If you have low levels of testosterone, the chances are your physician would prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy. However, if you don’t, it might be difficult to see reasons why you should consider TRT.
TRT is still mostly illegal in the United States and is not sold except with a doctor’s prescription. You can’t just walk up to the pharmacy counter and buy a bunch of TRT pills.
So how do you build your muscle and how do you do it at a favorable pace?
The treatment might provide a boost but it is not the sole path to the endgame you are trying to reach. Even if you do have access to the said path, you still have to deal with the possible risks. There are other options to explore if you want to charge up your muscle building.
Alternatives to TRT
TRT hormone therapy is only one of many ways to increase your testosterone level. The other alternatives stretch out across habits, food intake and cutting back on certain choices that can your hormone levels.
Symptoms of low testosterone levels which include decreased energy levels, reduction in body muscle and increase in body fat can also be directly tied to unhealthy sleep patterns, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and even depression.
Paying closer attention to your health could help clear some of the blockers keeping you from building muscle at a steady pace.
Healthy sleep
Staying up till 3 am to finish up some work doesn’t sound like a bad idea. However, doing that consistently over time will definitely affect your energy levels, and ultimately your body fat and muscle.
Keeping a healthy sleep pattern is a mission with two directives. The first is making sure you sleep at the right time, and the second is making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep.
Generally, the best sleep times are between the hours of 8 pm and 12 am stretching for a duration ranging from 7 to 9 hours.
More than anything, having a steady sleep schedule will work wonders in contrast to catching a nap whenever you can.
Healthy diet
Pay close attention to what you eat, and when you eat. This can make you feel healthier, stronger, and clearer-headed. Healthy eating is also closely tied to your weight. Pumping your body full of hormones won’t evade the effects of an unhealthy diet and weight. Drink some more water. Stay off the junk (you know what they are).
It is also helpful to note that certain food and nutrients like zinc, vitamin D, and beans also help to guard against lower testosterone levels.
Regular exercise
You might think that it goes without saying but regular, intentional exercise is more important than you would expect. The body produces what the body needs. The more you expend your energy and exercise your muscles, the more your body would work to produce what is required for that.
Regular doctor appointments
Regular, routine visits to your physician keep you ahead of the curve. Lower testosterone levels could be resultant of a plethora of reasons. Consistent appointments can help you solve problems you may not need TRT for. You could also pick up a thing or two about boosting your testosterone levels.
Should You Use TRT to Build Muscle?
The short answer to whether or not you need TRT to build muscle is no, not unless you are hypogonadal. The answer to whether or not you should use TRT is more evasive. If you are able to gain access to the treatment, the jury is still out on the effects of long-term testosterone supplementation. Using TRT to build muscle should be a decision taken only after exhausting all other healthy alternatives, and with the go-ahead of your doctor.
