Over the past decade or so, men have realized how vital healthy testosterone levels are to their overall health, leading to a rise in testosterone boosters and testosterone substitute therapy (TRT). A rise in these products has helped guys battling things resembling poor body composition, low sexual drive, and decreased energy.
And considering it helps with the whole lot from constructing bone and muscle mass to helping clear mental fog, you’d think it’d have the very best status on the planet. Nevertheless, there are some common misnomers about testosterone which have tainted the thought of T boosters and substitute therapy.
It could actually often be regarded as a steroid, and as soon because the “s” word is spoken, visions of athletes taking performance-enhancing drugs to excel in sports or anabolic steroids to extend muscle mass and strength likely come to mind.
But, that is not what testosterone, in the shape of boosters or substitute therapy, is, and people outcomes we just described usually are not the outcomes those with low T take testosterone to realize.
So, what exactly is testosterone? Is testosterone a steroid? And if that’s the case, what does that mean in the event you take it? We’re about to clear the air on what testosterone is and the role it plays in men’s health. Let’s get into it!
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is the first male sex hormone. Synthesized within the male’s testes, it’s what makes men “men,” leading to them developing typical male characteristics, resembling facial hair and a deep voice.
As well as, many individuals do not understand that ladies even have testosterone of their bodies, just at smaller levels. In women, testosterone is synthesized within the ovaries, provides improved muscle strength and bone strength, and supports libido.
Before puberty, the testosterone levels in men and girls are relatively the identical. Nevertheless, during puberty, the testosterone levels in men shoot up dramatically while a girl’s will increase barely.
In men, the minimum healthy testosterone levels are at 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), but maximum levels will be as high as 1080ng/dL. The testosterone levels will peak from 18-20 after which decline over time, assuming no intervention takes place.
Only for comparison, healthy testosterone levels for ladies are only 15 to 70 ng/dL. So even the low testosterone levels for men are still greater than 4 times that of a girl.
All that is to say that testosterone is an important and vital hormone that plays a major role in our overall health.
Now, due to its structure, it’s classified as a steroid. In physiological use, a steroid is a compound that comprises a carbon skeleton with 4 carbon rings which can be joined and consist of a complete of 17 carbons.
What Does Testosterone Do?
Testosterone belongs to a category of hormones referred to as androgens. These are a bunch of steroid hormones that act on the body’s androgen receptors to activate protein synthesis, amongst other processes.
An individual’s testosterone levels rise significantly during puberty, especially in men. Testosterone will initiate puberty in men in addition to regulate the event and maintenance of male characteristics.
Due to this fact, its primary job is to drive and produce traits within the male body. Some examples include:
- Broaden shoulders
- Increase muscle mass
- Increase penis size
- Grow body hair
- Deepen voice
- Increase sexual desire
Is Testosterone A Steroid?
Yes, testosterone could be very much a steroid. As mentioned above, a steroid refers to a compound containing 4 rings of carbon atoms. This includes many natural hormones, including estrogen, the feminine sex hormone.
Due to this fact, testosterone is a steroid. But, it isn’t an illegal anabolic steroid. We’ll talk more about this below.
Is Testosterone Anabolic & What Does That Mean?
The term “anabolic” refers to a compound or process that increases the expansion of tissue, including muscle. Compare this to the term “catabolic,” which refers back to the breakdown of tissue.
Fat loss is an example of a catabolic process. If keen on learning more about this, now we have an awesome article that discusses anabolic vs catabolic.
Due to this fact, testosterone is certainly anabolic. And since testosterone is a steroid, it’s an anabolic steroid.
That said, the term “anabolic steroid” in on a regular basis conversation generally refers to illegal steroids (which testosterone isn’t) and anabolic steroid abuse. This will make things confusing, so we’ll speak about nomenclature more below.
What Is An Anabolic Steroid?
Now that we all know what testosterone is, we’d like to define what steroids are. If we were to make an inventory of the words within the fitness industry which can be improperly used, the term “steroid” could be up there.
In the overall population, the term “steroids” or “anabolic steroids” is used to explain any illicit compound utilized by steroid abusers attempting to improve athletic performance and body composition. While the thought may fit for general banter, this isn’t an accurate description of a steroid or anabolic steroids, or steroid users using them for legal health purposes.
First, a steroid is the name given to certain compounds with specific architecture. As mentioned above, it is a compound that comprises a carbon skeleton with 4 carbon rings which can be joined and consist of a complete of 17 carbons.
Now the term “anabolic” refers to a process or compound that builds up tissue. Due to this fact, the compounds HGH and testosterone are anabolic because of their role in growth.
Now that is where it will possibly get confusing. One problem is that these terms are used incorrectly a lot in order that incorrect use has change into the norm. With this in mind, it is important to differentiate between true medical definitions and what the common person means after they use these terms.
Within the medical world, testosterone is an anabolic steroid because it’s a steroid and promotes muscle growth. Nevertheless, when people generally use the term “anabolic steroids,” they’re referring to illegal steroids which can be used to enhance body composition, construct muscle, and enhance performance. This includes compounds that when examining the medical definition, aren’t truly steroids.
For instance, HGH is usually said to be an anabolic steroid. Nevertheless, while it’s anabolic, it is not a steroid. It is a peptide hormone. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that increases red blood cells but can be lumped into “anabolic steroids.”
Now, at the identical time, testosterone is natural, but it will possibly even be produced synthetically. Synthetically, it will possibly be used as medical therapy or purchased off the streets. Due to this fact, its category (medical definition or general pop definition) depends upon where it’s coming from and the way it’s getting used.
Is Testosterone A Steroid or a Hormone?
This leaves the query: Is testosterone a steroid or a hormone?
And we all know you are anxiously waiting for a solution, but hang on, as this is not the fitting query to ask. What we’d like to ask is: Is testosterone an anabolic steroid or a hormone?
And that depends upon where it was synthesized.
When synthesized naturally throughout the body, testosterone is a steroid hormone. When it’s synthesized outside the body synthetically for use as medication, it’s an anabolic steroid.
But again, remember, simply because we’re labeling it as an anabolic steroid doesn’t mean testosterone therapy is against the law.
What Happens When Testosterone Is Low?
As mentioned, your testosterone levels peak on the ripe age of 18-20 years old¹. That is just after puberty when your body is flooded with hormones. Nevertheless, enjoy those T levels while they last, because after 18 to your early 20s, your naturally produced testosterone will begin slowly declining.
You may read more about this in our article: Is It Bad To Take Testosterone Boosters At 20?
A drop in testosterone can occur through two mechanisms: as a natural a part of aging and thru lifestyle selections. On the subject of aging, there’s really nothing you possibly can do about it. As we age, our bodies begin to slowly break down, and life takes its course.
Unfortunately, though, many individuals point to “aging” as a cause for his or her low testosterone levels when it’s their lifestyle selections most importantly impacting their T levels.
For those who fail to take care of healthy testosterone levels, you possibly can experience several health risks, some serious. This will include:
- Decreased sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Trouble maintaining muscle mass and strength
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
- Weight gain
- Low energy and fatigue
- Depression and other mood swings
How Do You Increase Testosterone?
As mentioned above, lifestyle selections and environmental issues are the predominant reason men today are seeing lower testosterone levels².
While there are lots of, among the commonest issues include:
- Smoking
- Excessive Drinking
- Inactivity
- Obesity
- Poor Food plan
- Lack Of Sleep
- Narcotics (Rx Pain Medication)
- Hair Loss Medication
Due to this fact, if that is what’s causing your testosterone levels to drop, it is smart to reverse these behaviors, resulting in normal testosterone levels.
For instance, a study from 2014 found that a bunch of sedentary men’s testosterone levels increased significantly after 12 weeks of exercise³. One other study found that men who were obese and obese saw the best improvements in testosterone levels after weight-reduction plan and exercise.
The identical was proven with improvements in sleep and the cessation of smoking. So, just a few lifestyle changes you possibly can make to assist your T levels include finding an excellent workout split, following a meal plan for weight reduction, giving up bad habits like smoking and drinking, and getting numerous good sleep4,5.
Along with lifestyle habits, you can too increase T levels using testosterone boosters and testosterone substitute therapy. Testosterone boosters are dietary supplements that naturally boost your testosterone through the usage of vitamins, minerals, and herbs. No prescription is required to start taking a T booster.
TRT is a medical treatment wherein a patient with low testosterone levels receives low doses of synthetic testosterone, with the goal of accelerating their overall testosterone levels, on a weekly basis. You will need to see a physician for TRT, but these 8 Best Online TRT Clinics actually make it more convenient than heading to a physician’s office each week.
ARE TESTOSTERONE BOOSTERS STEROIDS?
It is important to notice that testosterone boosters usually are not the identical thing as TRT and usually are not anabolic steroids. The most effective testosterone boosters only contain vitamins, herbs, and minerals that can increase T levels but not above what is of course possible in your body.
As well as, T boosters will be purchased over-the-counter, as they only contain natural ingredients. No prescription is required for T boosters.
Testosterone vs Steroids: Key Differences
Let’s go over the important thing differences between testosterone and steroids.
- Testosterone is a natural compound, whereas anabolic steroids are synthetic.
- Anabolic steroids are made to mimic testosterone.
- The body’s natural testosterone levels are limited to the fundamental range, while anabolic steroids can push this level far past.
- Anabolic steroids will shut down the production of natural testosterone, impacting hormone levels.
Who Should Increase Their Testosterone Levels?
Now that we have cleared up what testosterone is and why it ought to be taken, it leads us to the query: Who should take testosterone?
Anyone who’s 25 or older and has low T should consider increasing their testosterone either through testosterone boosters or TRT. For those who suspect you’ve low T, first speak to a physician and get your testosterone levels tested.
What Are The Best Ways To Increase Testosterone?
Once you identify you’ve low T, you possibly can then determine in the event you’d like to start out by trying a testosterone booster, which requires taking a pill to naturally increase testosterone, or seek the advice of with a physician about starting TRT.
Along with considered one of these, you must adjust your lifestyle habits, ensuring you are dropping bad habits (like smoking and getting little sleep) with good ones, resembling regular exercise, a healthy weight-reduction plan, and quality sleep.
All for trying a testosterone booster? Try these 7 Best Testosterone Booster Supplements!
FAQs
Additional questions regarding testosterone, illegal anabolic steroid use, or the rest in between? Let’s answer them here.
Are steroids and testosterone the identical thing?
It depends upon the context wherein someone is using these terms. Natural testosterone is a steroid hormone. However, anabolic steroids are synthetic and are supposed to mimic natural testosterone.
Is TRT utilized in bodybuilding?
Illegal steroids have been utilized in bodybuilding for many years. On the subject of TRT, while there could also be some recreational lifters who use it, elite lifters are going to wish to use significantly greater than what TRT provides.
What kind of testosterone is used for testosterone substitute therapy?
Testosterone can are available in several modified forms. For TRT, probably the most common forms are testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate. These forms have been modified to have longer half-lives and are absorbed at a slower rate. Your doctor or the TRT clinic you are using will discuss your best options with you at your appointment.
Is it OK to take testosterone pills?
TRT comes with many alternative options. One in all those is pills or tablets. You too can take testosterone boosters, which is a natural option to increase your T levels, because the pills you may take typically contain vitamins, herbs, and minerals.
Testosterone vs Steroids: Final Takeaways
The controversy between testosterone and steroids gets murky because of the entire negative attention that has been placed on illegal steroid use. Words are used as pejoratives, and the whole lot can get conflated.
Yes, testosterone is a steroid that’s synthesized naturally, acting as the first male sex hormone. It could actually even be synthesized artificially and used with the correct medical oversight from a medical skilled.
The important thing takeaway here? Because of illegal steroid abuse and things like roid rage, the term “steroids” has been given a foul rap. But when talking about it when it comes to something produced naturally inside our body, or as something that you just’re working to extend through the assistance of a physician, it shouldn’t be related to a negative connotation.
