During my time as a senior physician, I was responsible for microscopic muscle examinations in our clinic. Testosterone makes the muscles more voluminous, with a higher proportion of rapidly contracting muscle fibers . It's difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to one of the most talked about hormones. This means that a staggering 58% are at risk of health problems like diabetes, sleep problems, heart disease, and stroke. Obesity is a growing concern in men’s health. Dr Luke Pratsides is a General Practitioner working in the NHS, with a background in clinical leadership across digital health. Luke has worked across many industries in e-commerce, now focusing on his passion for men’s health.
Men with normal testosterone levels should not consider testosterone therapy. Chronic heavy drinking causes long-term testosterone suppression, directly impacting strength gains, muscle growth, and body composition. However, low testosterone levels can be detrimental to your health and well-being. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a critical role in your strength training and overall bodybuilding. In our GI exclusive interview, Dr. Testosterone describes the best ways to boost testosterone levels naturally, top foods to aid in this process, and what low T levels can do to the body. Dr. Testosterone sat down with Generation Iron to discuss low testosterone’s effects on bodybuilders and the best ways to naturally get those T levels to where you want them.
Studies conducted in rats have indicated that their degree of sexual arousal is sensitive to reductions in testosterone. Testosterone levels follow a circadian rhythm that peaks early each day, regardless of sexual activity. Current clinical guidelines recommend comprehensive baseline evaluation including complete blood count, lipid panel, prostate-specific antigen, and cardiovascular risk assessment before initiating testosterone replacement therapy. Serious side effects may include liver toxicity, heart disease (though a randomized trial found no evidence of major adverse cardiac events compared to placebo in men with low testosterone), and behavioral changes. It is unclear if the use of testosterone for low levels due to aging is beneficial or harmful. Decline of testosterone production with age has led to interest in androgen replacement therapy.
Your metabolism slows down, partly due to the loss of muscle mass, and your body becomes more likely to store excess calories as fat rather than use them for energy. These effects are reflected by increases in lean body mass, reductions in body fat, and improvements in daily physical activity. This dual effect underscores TRT’s potential effectiveness in body recomposition, making it an advantageous option for preserving muscle mass during fat loss. It is reasonable to suggest that TRT enhances the effect of exercise and promotes an increase in lean mass while simultaneously reducing body fat percentage, setting it apart from traditional weight loss methods like GLP-1 agonists. In this case report, the combined effect of TRT and exercise may present a strategy for sustainable weight loss by effectively preserving muscle mass, which is vital for long-term positive health outcomes . In summary, it appears that the body’s anabolic response can persist despite a shift toward lighter-intensity exercise zones and declining hormone levels, as long as these levels remain elevated compared to non-supplementation periods. While the hormone response was stout, data supports a corresponding increase in body weight, lean mass, and a reduction in percent body fat.
Even though your muscles can likely handle a lot more at this point in your therapy, that doens’t mean your joints and bones necessarily can. While TRT can dramatically improve your body composition, it works best when supported by proper lifestyle choices and training strategies. When you start testosterone replacement therapy, your symptoms will start to reduce within a matter of weeks. Low testosterone can also affect how your body handles water retention. This type of fat doesn't just sit there—it actively produces estrogen and inflammatory substances that can make your hormone imbalance even worse. This isn't just about looks—this muscle loss affects everything from your metabolism to your overall strength and functional ability.
For muscle hypertrophy, resistance training with adequate intensity and volume, often performed in the 60%-80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) range, has been shown to be beneficial . Research suggests that moderate to high-intensity exercise, typically within 70%-85% of an individual's maximum HR, is effective for burning fat and improving cardiovascular fitness . The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends administering 50 to 400 mg every two to four weeks, though weekly or even two-to-three-weekly doses are more commonly prescribed in clinical practice to maintain stable testosterone levels .

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