What Happens When You Take Testosterone?

Millions of men are currently taking testosterone supplements, more than ever in history. Why is this happening? What does it do to your body, and why could it be dangerous?

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Written by: Greg Brown
Animations by: Max Simmons and Greg Brown
Edited by: Luka Šarlija

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Whether it is Joe Rogan, Andrew Huberman or Bad Bunny and his new masculinity - there is a lot of rumors and information out there about Testosterone Supplements. The actual science is more nuanced, and potentially damaging than you may expect.

[theodorematthews]

I feel bad for the poor med student who had to measure mouse erectile disfunction

[FosterBaba]

Can we get a female version of this, explaining PCOS and other conditions that causes elevated testosterone?

[briankeller]

Started Trt at 34. I was clinically low, in the 300s. My primary care said it was normal. The trt clinic noted it was a normal level for a man in his 60s. Up around 1000, I feel much better. My wife and I are no longer just roommates. I’ve lost a ton of fat, packed on muscle, my cholesterol is great my blood pressure is great… 100% worth it for men who need it. I’m here for a good time not a long time. Half as long twice as bright… I’m not going back to the way I was no matter what.

[jerzey]

Been on TRT for 8 years through my doctor. Lots of blood testing and questionnaires. My Doc also has me re-test and answer questions every 6 months.
The correct way to deal with this medication. Most young men on “TRT” aren’t really on TRT they just want a shortcut in the gym in my experience.

[drunkbunny]

I think another problem that isnt talked about as much in the main stream is just how much of an impact social media has had on boys.
Everyone talks about instagram filters, make up, cosmetic surgery making women insecure but the same thing is happening to men as well.
Getting in shape takes time and steroids, PED's, SARMS, all can help reduce that time and allow impatient kids get progress quickly.
If you are finishing up school or starting college/uni taking something like this to look good, feel good about yourself sounds like a no brainer because they arent looking at the long term cost if they feel shitty and insecure now and dont want to spend years correcting things.

[sorrelstokes]

Been watching ASAP Science since i was 13 (23 now) and still hooked ❤️

[BenjaminCronce]

As an internet layman, my limited reading on the topic is adding testosterone into your system is generally not a good idea. You want your system to produce more testosterone. If you add more to your system, your system attempts to balance that out by reducing production even more. Your hormone system doesn't just blindly produce hormones, it is a feedback system that balances hormones and just blindly adding some hormones into your system and throw off that balance.

[parallel]

I'm quite alarmed by the fact that you said that people are taking testosterone in pill form. As someone who has been prescribed testosterone by doctors since I was 14, my understanding has always been that testosterone is much too hard on the liver to be taken orally, which is why it's only given in injection or topical form (or nasal spray as you mentioned, but from what I've seen, nasal spray can't produce high enough testosterone levels to be used as a treatment for hypogonadism). I suppose pill meds are usually cheaper than gel meds from what I've seen, so I suppose if these young men aren't getting it prescribed and are just buying their testosterone, pills might be cheapest. But I would be very concerned about the effect on the liver if you are taking oral testosterone over an extended period of time.

[weezerwookie]

I first tested my T levels when I was 35 because I had all of the symptoms of low t, and my total T tested at 65, which is well below normal levels for men of any age (400-600 is considered healthiest), 65 is slightly high for a woman. I was anemic, i had high blood sugar and cholesterol, i was in the army in my youth and struggled to pass fitness tests despite exercising a ton, i suffered from low self esteem, depression, difficulty focusing. Men like me with hypogonadism can expect to live 20 years less than men with healthy T levels. Fortunately I have been able to have kids, tho not without difficulty. Since I started on T therapy my quality of life has improved bigly. I get it for free thru the VA as it's a medical need, not cuz I'm trying to get jacked (i don't even lift, Bro...)

We couldn't figure out what caused my hypogonadism. My prolactin levels are highly elevated, my sisters also have this problem and have had issues with reproduction.

[namelesschannel]

Basically, the answer to every health question: "it depends" and "go see a doctor"

[dorkporkknobslob]

I don’t understand the binary denial. Its just as valid to be XX or XY if not more so. instead of say it’s not real you could say it’s not rigid.

[thephatarmadillow]

It’s become incredibly common within the fitness influencer industry.

[SDM-Zone]

So you are saying that I can lose weight, gain muscle AND not have children? Damn sounds great.

[jorgeu]

I was stuck in my couch gaining weight with no interest in anything at all happening outside the house. It turns out I was on low T. My primary care measured it and now I take T injections in the leg. It changes EVERYTHING. Its like I started to live again.

[Kentrc]

I take 5mg of Cialis for my varicocele each day.
My genitals do a salute any time I drop a log now lol

[gabrielfelixmunoz]

you left out the most important warning. once you start TRT, there is no going back: your body will stop producing test, and you will have to be on it the rest of your life.

[bookreport]

Take this information to congress and they’ll call you a witch lol.

[laynepieri]

I second wanting a female version. But ideally, I'd like a breakdown of the effect of testosterone therapy for trans men who have gone through female puberty. Bonus points if we can get one for estrogen and trans women who have gone through male puberty.

[masterchef]

The problem is the “normal” levels of testosterone now is equivalent to men 80 years old 100 years ago. Testosterone is at an all time low in history which is why I think so many people seek it out

[TheAmericanAmerican]

Rule of Life #1: do NOT put anything in your body other than food and water unless recommended/prescribed to you by a doctor.

Those who fail to follow this rule will eventually win themselves the Darwin Award!