I'm stopping TRT - Here's why

What is TRT?
TRT is an acronym for testosterone replacement therapy, sometimes called androgen replacement therapy. It’s primarily used to treat low testosterone (T) levels, which can occur with age or as a result of a medical condition.

But it’s becoming increasingly popular for non-medical uses, including:

enhancing sexual performance
achieving higher energy levels
building muscle mass for bodybuilding
Some research suggests that TRT may in fact help you achieve some of these goals. But there are some caveats. Let’s dive into what exactly happens to your T levels as you get older and what you can realistically expect from TRT.

Why does T decrease with age?
Your body naturally produces less T as you age. According to an article in American Family Physician, the average male’s T production goes down by about 1 to 2 percent each year.

This is all part of a completely natural process that starts in your late 20s or early 30s:

As you age, your testicles produce less T.
Lowered testicular T causes your hypothalamus to produce less gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Lowered GnRH causes your pituitary gland to makes less luteinizing hormone (LH).
Lowered LH results in lowered overall T production.
This gradual decrease in T often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. But a significant drop in T levels may cause:

low sex drive
fewer spontaneous erections
erectile dysfunction
lowered sperm count or volume
trouble sleeping
unusual loss of muscle and bone density
unexplained weight gain

How do I know if I have low T?
The only way to know whether you truly have low T is by seeing a healthcare provider for a testosterone level test. This is a simple blood test, and most providers require it before prescribing TRT.

You may need to do the test several times because T levels are affected by various factors, such as:

diet
level of fitness
time of day the test is done
certain medications, like anticonvulsants and steroids