It’s just not that simple. Yes, there are suggested “normal” ranges, but it’s far from exact. Hormone levels rise and fall. If I wanted to get my T levels below “normal”, I’m sure I could do that with a big block of training. Does that qualify me for bringing them back up to “normal”? That certainly wouldn’t be fair, but how would you make a fair determination for “normal”? Leave it to the doctors? That’s a joke because every Dr. is going to have a different opinion and there is a huge industry of TRT over-treatment created by said doctors. Just because you test outside a “normal” range on a few blood tests doesn’t mean you should be supplementing T to make things fair.
If you are naturally low T (way below normal), but have a crazy high v02 max, you probably have better potential than the guy with high T and low V02 max. Should we let the low v02 max guy take EPO to bring his level up to normal also? Trying to level the playing field with drugs to manipulate levels to “normal” is an excercise in futility (and cheating under the current rules).
OP said his bloodwork is within normal range. A good Dr. would do several tests and determine why the below normal range is happening before starting a treatment. A dubious Dr. would take your word for it, prescribe and bill. The point is, if you have no real deficiency and seek TRT for “strength and endurance purposes,” you might as well go all in.
That’s a separate issue from what OP described. If you legit have low T and a legit Dr. started you on a program, the reaction shouldn’t be any different than announcing that you’re on insulin for diabetes. It’s a corrective measure. The issue is there are so many dubious treatment programs out there that anyone can get on one. Like one person mentioned, I could go do a heavy block of training and eat vegetables all week and get bloodwork done and might possibly have a below normal reading and use that for justification to be on a program for the rest of my life.
People are rightly skeptical of people on TRT because the majority of people on it didn’t really need to be on it in the first place.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking TRT or any other banned substance as long as you don’t compete in events where those substances are forbidden. Go smash strava KOM’s or something. Your body, your choice, their event, their rules. We should all respect both.
There’s 2 aspects to consider when discussing the taking of PEDs. There’s the moral standpoint and then there’s the legality of the substance. When it comes to competetive sport, the only thing that matters is the legality of the substance. It’s really that simple. If it’s legal, knock you socks off. Caffeine? All good. Tramadol? No longer allowed. TRT? No!
As far as what an individual deems morally acceptable? Well that’s an entirely different matter, and opinion will vary from person to person. For that reason, the moral standpoint holds no weight when discussing PEDs.
For what it’s worth, I think people should be able to put whatever they want into their bodies (excluding when illegally enhancing sporting performance). I also don’t think a trainer with zero official medical education should be advising a client to take something like TRT (contrary to the advice of an MD, I might add). He’s a dangerous fool. I’d be looking for a new PT. People like that have no place in sport.
There is conflicting research on this. Because testosterone can increase PSA, it’s long been thought that TRT increases the risk of prostate cancer. However, more recent research seems to contradict that long held belief.
Absolutely! Definitely try to do all the research you can if you’re considering beginning TRT. It’s a very important decision and should not be taken lightly or entered into without adequate consideration.
Further to my comments earlier RE: cancer risk, this article showing a million extra breast cancer cases due to women’s hormone replacement therapy.
I get it’s a different gender and a different type of cancer, but prostate cancer is in many way’s the “breast cancer of men” and there is already evidence suggesting a connection between HRT for men and an increased prostate cancer risk.
unless you* have a legitimate medical need (and no, being 50+ and having naturally declining testosterone is not a legitimate medical need), don’t piss around with doping.
accept your body as it is and get on with it. don’t be the (expletitive here) that dopes for fondos and group rides.
generic second person; not referring to any specific individual
