If you know anything at all about testosterone therapy, you have probably heard some pretty amazing stories of increased muscle size, revved up sex lives, weight loss, stronger bones, and improved brain functions. Separating the myths from the facts is our job here at Kingsberg HRT Clinic, and we are happy to report that all those benefits are true!

Testosterone plays a significant role in libido, metabolism, bone mineral density, and cognition, but what we are here to report about today is the use of testosterone therapy for muscle mass.

Myth #1: If I am a woman and I take testosterone to treat Low T I will develop huge muscles.

Fact: This is just not true. Women’s bodies are not the same as men’s and do not develop muscles to the level of a man. You would need to combine a significant amount of weight-lifting exercise along with the testosterone, as well as dietary and other supplemental changes to develop over-sized muscles.

Myth #2: If I take testosterone I will develop superhuman strength.

Fact: Testosterone will help improve strength as muscle mass improves in adults with Low T, but it will not make you superhuman, and you will not be able to go out and lift a car.

Myth #3: All of my fat will turn to muscle from testosterone therapy, so I will not actually lose weight.

Fact: Your fat will not turn to muscle – it will be burned as fuel. Your muscle mass will increase, and while it will add some extra muscle weight, you will still lose about the same amount of fat weight.

The confusion about some of the facts about testosterone therapy and muscle mass are understandable. Much of what you can find on the internet is from bodybuilding websites where they talk about steroid use and bulking up muscles. That is not what testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is all about.

When we talk about testosterone replacement therapy, muscle mass decline is an issue among adults with Low T. It can become serious when the loss of lean muscle no longer protects weakening bones from fractures. That is why hormone doctors prescribe testosterone treatment. Muscle mass improves, and bone mineral density increases to support the structural integrity of the body and reduce the risk of fractures.

Effects of Testosterone on Muscle Development

As we examine the testosterone effects on muscle mass, we start by looking at the makeup of skeletal muscle. It consists of two important things that make up the muscle fiber:

1. Sarcomeres
2. Threadlike myofibrils

How does testosterone affect muscle mass?

Testosterone goes to work on DNA by interacting with nuclear receptors that increase muscle fiber site neurotransmitters as well as protein synthesis. Sarcomere hypertrophy occurs as muscle fiber is broken down and rebuilt stronger. The use of testosterone therapy for muscle mass affects this process that also involves human growth hormone, insulin growth factor 1, and satellite cells to increase muscle density.

One reason for the beneficial testosterone therapy-muscle mass improvement is that testosterone stimulates the responses of growth hormone for cellular amino acid uptake in skeletal muscle. Testosterone also increases the relative area of both type I and II muscle fibers.

The satellite cells receive stimulation from growth hormone and IGF-1, which begins with testosterone signaling the hypothalamus to release hormones that prompt the pituitary gland into action for HGH secretion.

How to Use Testosterone Therapy to Improve and Increase Muscle Mass

Adults with Low T will find that their muscle mass declines. At the same time, body fat mass increases, resulting in dangerous weight gain. The hormone specialist will run diagnostic blood tests to determine the level of testosterone deficiency and subsequently prescribe the appropriate treatment dosage of supplemental testosterone replacement therapy. Muscle gain follows naturally, even without increasing physical exercise – although that will make a tremendous difference.

In conjunction with doctor prescribed testosterone to increase muscle mass, we recommend engaging in exercises that will work the large muscle groups of the body, such as squats, bench presses, pullups, and deadlifts. These exercises have been shown to boost the body’s natural testosterone levels and are an excellent adjunct to TRT.

Do not take testosterone therapy for muscle mass without first getting a blood test from a hormone specialist. Increasing testosterone levels that are already in the normal range can lead to dangerous side effects.

For more information, please contact Kingsberg HRT Clinic for a complimentary, confidential consultation. We offer local diagnostic testing sites and affordable treatment options for hormone replacement therapy to men and women throughout the US.