Is testosterone a steroid?

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. But did you know that it’s also a steroid? In fact, “steroid” is just the name for hormones that are made from cholesterol.

So, does that mean you’re “taking steroids” if you’re using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which is a synthetic version of T? In a word: no. Here’s the lowdown on testosterone and steroids.

Key takeaways

• Testosterone is technically a steroid hormone. But being on doctor-prescribed TRT is not the same as "taking steroids" for performance enhancement.
• TRT aims to keep your testosterone within a healthy, natural range, while steroid abuse involves doses up to five times higher than the body produces.
• High-dose steroid abuse can permanently shut down your body's ability to produce its own testosterone.
• The goal of TRT is to restore your energy and quality of life rather than building a bodybuilder’s physique.
• Medical TRT involves regular blood tests and professional monitoring to ensure your levels stay safe and stable.

Anabolic steroids vs TRT

Anabolic steroids are one type of steroid hormone. They’re involved in metabolic processes concerned with building: for example, building muscle. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid.

Here’s where it gets confusing. The term “anabolic steroid” commonly refers to a class of performance-enhancing drugs (that are widely abused in sport), such as oxymetholone. These are also synthetic versions of testosterone—but they aren’t the same as TRT.

Plus, some medicines are also classed as steroids. They’re used to treat a range of illnesses, from skin disease to asthma.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between testosterone replacement therapy and anabolic steroids.

Men can be reluctant to start TRT—or even to seek help for their symptoms—because of the confusion between TRT and anabolic steroids. The latter are associated with abuse and doping scandals, and come with serious risks to your health.

But TRT is a medical treatment: it’s not “doing steroids”. It’s given in much safer doses and while you’re taking it, you’ll have regular blood tests to make sure your T stays within a natural range.

TRT for bodybuilding

If you’re exercising regularly, it’s true that taking testosterone will help to build muscle. But TRT will not give you a bodybuilder’s physique.

It’s designed to bring your T levels back within the healthy range, to combat low T symptoms like reduced strength. The aim here is to restore your health and quality of life. For example, TRT can help men who were previously too tired to exercise get back into it. And for those who are strength training, TRT can help improve lean body mass.

What about if you have normal T levels and you want to build muscle? Studies show that you need to take very high doses of testosterone to make significant gains, compared to the results you might see from just exercising. But this comes with risks to your heart and liver health—and your body might permanently stop producing its own testosterone.

That’s why we don’t advise anyone to take TRT for bodybuilding or sports performance. Speak with your provider if you’re worried about your T levels.

Risks, safety and side effects of testosterone

Taking TRT can come with side effects, though it’s generally safe and well-tolerated. Symptoms might include:

• Acne
• Breast tissue growth
• Tiredness
• Fluid retention
• Reduced fertility (to maintain fertility while on TRT, doctors may recommend using medications like human chorionic gonadotropin)

When used for sports performance, anabolic steroids are usually taken at high doses. And the side effects can be serious:

• Dependence
• Infertility
• Shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction
• Increased risk of prostate cancer
• Heart attack or stroke
• Liver or kidney problems
• High blood pressure
• Blood clots
• Aggressive behaviour

Think you have low T? You should only take TRT if a qualified medical professional prescribes it to you. But first, you need to confirm whether you’re dealing with low T or something else.

We can help with that. Take our quiz and check your T levels with our quick, at-home testosterone blood test. Our clinicians will assess your results and recommend which treatment is best.