The Difference Between Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Steroid Abuse
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is not even close to the same thing as steroid abuse.
Is testosterone a steroid? Technically yes, but not in the way most people mean. Testosterone is not an illegal steroid and will not cause “roid rage” or the development of breast tissue like illegal steroids will.
Testosterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone produced in the body. Its natural role is to promote bone density, produce sperm in the testes, and stimulate lean muscle growth.
Unfortunately, the facts are muddled with myths, rumors, and confusion.
TRT Is Not the Same as Illegal Steroid Abuse
Many people are under the false impression that choosing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) to normalize testosterone levels will produce exactly the same effects as the extremely high testosterone levels that are caused by abusing steroids.
Many people mistakenly associate TRT with bodybuilding. They fear the possibility of becoming instantly and unnaturally bulky like “that guy” in the gym and of suffering uncontrolled side effects, like liver damage or the development of male breasts.
They’re worried about experiencing uncontrolled aggression, commonly known as “roid rage.”
However, these are misconceptions about TRT that couldn’t be further from the truth.
People are confusing two entirely different things.
TRT is a safe medical treatment for a legitimate medical condition. Illegal steroid abuse is unsafe and is not used to treat or prevent any medical condition.
The confusion is caused by the fact that steroid abusers use unsafe doses of the same medication (testosterone cypionate) commonly used in TRT.
What Does Testosterone Do?
Among other roles in your body, testosterone causes an increase in the size of your muscle cells. This means each individual muscle cell will grow.
Because bigger muscles tend to also be stronger, your strength can increase as a result. In turn, increased muscle mass burns more calories, helping to establish and to maintain a better balance between lean muscle and excess body fat.
Balanced levels of testosterone can improve an individual’s sense of emotional wellbeing as well as their concentration and focus, which can improve performance in the mental aspect of work or competition.
TRT and Steroids — What’s the Difference?
If you’re suffering from low testosterone and are experiencing deficiencies in strength, muscle mass, sexual performance, or concentration, restoring normal testosterone levels may help restore performance, including at work, in sports, and in the bedroom.
Obtaining medication illegally and boosting testosterone to extreme levels may lead to artificial muscle gains, an increase in performance at your chosen athletic endeavor, and enhanced performance in the bedroom, but it may also have the opposite effect in those areas (in addition to being dangerous, potentially causing life-long damage to your body, and being illegal).
Thus, we begin to see the differences between the medical treatment known as TRT and the risky and illegal practice of steroid abuse for some competitive edge or cosmetic benefit.
The differences are found in the goals, purpose, amounts, and application.
The Facts About Steroid Abuse
Illegal steroids are abused for cosmetic benefits or physical performance reasons — to build muscle and lose body fat or to enhance one’s ability to perform in a sport or excel in bodybuilding.
Steroid abusers aren’t lacking in endogenous (naturally produced) testosterone, and they’re using supplementary testosterone to cheat natural processes.
The following are important facts about illegal steroid abuse:
- Steroids are often obtained and injected illegally at very high doses.
- This treatment is not approved by the FDA.
- There are no diagnostic tests to determine if someone needs anabolic steroids for recreational purposes.
- A total lack of medical oversight leads to uncontrolled side effects and health risks.
Steroid abusers usually don’t use testosterone only. In addition to huge doses of testosterone, they’re adding other substances on top, some of which may be illegal.
It’s a simple matter. The primary concern with steroid abuse is one of safety. It’s never advised to risk your long-term health for a competitive or cosmetic edge.
The Facts About Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a medical treatment prescribed and administered by health care professionals to help treat the effects of low testosterone levels in men.
Administration of supplemental testosterone begins only if medically valid diagnostic tests determine there is an actual deficiency in one’s testosterone level.
You generally need to exhibit symptoms of low testosterone and have a total level of testosterone below 300 ng/dL or a free testosterone level below 9.0 ng/dL (for men).
Because low testosterone is a recognized medical condition, your medical care provider can prescribe testosterone to you in a controlled TRT treatment protocol. The goal is to restore levels to an optimum range, not an extreme range.
Properly administered Testosterone Replacement Therapy has a number of potential benefits, including:
- Increased lean muscle production and strength
- Reduced fat tissue production
- Improved erectile function
- Increased sexual desire (libido)
- Improved mood and increased sense of well-being
- Reduced anxiety and improved concentration
- Increased energy and motivation
These benefits are accessible to patients following a monitored treatment protocol without all the countless and unpredictable side effects of steroids abuse.
These benefits might help an athlete to improve their performance on the field to a small degree, but your body will not change to the unnatural degree it would when abusing steroids without proper supervision.
The Difference Between TRT and Steroids at a Glance
To summarize, these are the primary differences between TRT and steroid abuse:
- TRT is FDA-approved, while steroid use in the locker room is not
- TRT is administered by a medical professional, while most steroid use for bodybuilding and athletic performance enhancement is not
- TRT’s purpose is to treat a medical condition (Low T), while illegal steroid abuse is not a medical treatment at all
Ultimately, it comes down to dose and safety.
Steroid Abuse and TRT: Side Effects Are Different
Some of the side effects that can be caused by TRT include:
- Acne
- Slight male breast development
- Enlarged prostate
- Difficulty urinating
- Mood swings
- Fluid retention
When you’re being treated with medically indicated Testosterone Replacement Therapy, we’re monitoring your health, and we’re making very sure you aren’t given a dose that’s too high or too low. We know how to minimize these side effects or prevent them all together.
You can read more about the side effects of TRT and how we prevent them here.
Some of these same side effects can occur with steroid abuse, but their severity is much more pronounced due to the unnatural hormone levels reached when abusing testosterone. Other side effects of illegal steroid use are flat-out dangerous:
- Large male breast development
- Disease of the liver or spleen
- High blood pressure
- Increased cholesterol
- Blood clots
- Heart disease
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can be safe, effective, and side-effect free when provided under the guidance of a trained professional. This makes all the difference.
Making sure that your health is not sacrificed in the name of “higher T levels” is one of the most important roles of a TRT provider.
Learn More About Safe and Effective Treatment for Low T
Understand that any medicine can be a poison; it all depends on the dose and proper medical supervision. Make sure that when you choose someone to help you with your Low T symptoms, you select a provider with the knowledge and expertise to improve your quality of life while also keeping you safe.
To help you understand more about the TRT process, we have put together a complete guide that will answer any questions you may have about TRT — click to learn more.
