Testosterone keeps you energised, supports your sex drive, and more. It also helps you build muscle, which can make you stronger.
Key Takeaways
- Testosterone plays a key role in building muscle
- But at natural levels, it won’t drive results alone
- Eating enough protein and regular strength training are essential when building muscle
How does testosterone build muscle?
There are a few ways that testosterone helps build muscle.
For one, it stimulates protein synthesis. Proteins are the building blocks of your muscles: they’re the driving force behind muscle growth and repair. Testosterone also inhibits the breakdown of proteins. These combined effects make your muscles grow bigger.
T also encourages stem cells to become muscle rather than fat cells.
Yet often, T isn’t the limiting factor when trying to bulk up. Not training enough, not eating a nutritious diet, lack of sleep, alcohol, and stress all work against muscle growth.
Can you build muscle with low testosterone?
It’s harder to build muscle with low T. Testosterone deficiency is associated with muscle loss and frailty in older men.
Though with the right habits in place—a good diet, hitting the gym regularly—it’s possible. However, you would have better results if your T was within the normal range.
Struggling to build muscle, despite a healthy lifestyle? If you’ve got other symptoms of low testosterone like decreased energy and libido, you might have low T. Check your T levels with our at-home testosterone blood test.
TRT and muscle: What men can expect?
What if you use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to top up your T levels? There’s good evidence that this can help increase muscle and lower fat mass. By the way, both younger and older men are just as responsive to TRT’s effects.
For best results, do regular strength training while taking TRT. You should notice changes within a few months.
TRT vs anabolic steroids
It’s true that the higher your T, the more muscle gains you’re likely to make.
But taking very high doses of T comes with serious risks, like dependence and heart problems. With anabolic steroids, the dose of T is up to 4-5x higher than what your body naturally makes. Bottom line: the risks of taking anabolic steroids definitely outweigh the benefits.
What gains can I expect on TRT?
The lower your testosterone is before starting TRT, the more likely you are to experience significant muscle growth. That’s because your low starting levels probably have a greater impact on your poor muscle gains to date.
Does taking higher doses of TRT drive more gains? It might, but you’d typically need to take very high doses (i.e. anabolic steroids) to see a dramatic effect. Again: anabolic steroids come with serious health risks.
Having a healthy lifestyle will also enhance your results on TRT.
Do testosterone boosters work for muscle gain?
What about “testosterone boosters”? These are supplements that claim to “boost T” and help you “feel stronger”.
One study looked at 50 of these supplements. Just 24.8% of them had data showing an increase in T when taken. Fenugreek, ashwagandha and vitamin D have all boosted T in scientific studies.
But watch out: these products aren’t harmless. Some have been linked to side effects like risks to liver health. Always check with your provider before starting any “T boosting” products.
Testosterone for muscle growth
Testosterone is super important for muscle building. But at natural levels, it won’t drive results alone.
Eating enough protein is critical. Aim for at least 1.6g/kg of body weight per day. You also need to lift weights regularly—try to get a minimum of 2 sessions per week. Keeping stress under control, sleeping well and drinking less alcohol will also help.
Your T levels
For men with low testosterone, the pros of TRT are clear: it can get your T back within the normal range. This can ease symptoms like low energy and libido—and help you get back on the gain train. Get started on TRT by taking our quiz.
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