Benefits of Testosterone for Muscle Mass

The androgen hormone testosterone is typically associated with muscle development in men, primarily because it is one hormone that males have at a significantly increased level over females. Since testosterone does factor in muscle growth, it is natural to assume that testosterone therapy would help increase lean muscle mass.

Yes, there are benefits of testosterone for muscle mass, but this fact comes with a caveat:

A person with testosterone levels in the normal range who uses testosterone replacement therapy will not notice much of a change in muscle mass!

Scientific research shows that testosterone fluctuations or changes that stay within the normal range, even if they are increased, will not promote a significant impact on muscle growth.

It is not until testosterone levels surpass the top of the normal scale by at least 30 percent that a significant increase in muscle mass can be seen.

How does testosterone affect muscle mass when it is used in conjunction with weight lifting exercise?

Muscle growth increases when testosterone use accompanies targeted workouts designed to improve lean muscle mass. HT Medical Center can run diagnostic tests to measure testosterone levels to ensure that muscle growth is maintained through balanced hormones.

Muscle Building Properties of Testosterone

Circulating testosterone declines with age, and brings with it decreased musculature. Muscle loss is a serious issue because it reduces the support to the body’s skeletal structure, increasing the risk of debilitating fractures from a fall.

How can testosterone increase muscle mass in adults?

Here are some of the benefits of testosterone for muscle mass:

Testosterone promotes skeletal muscle anabolism (the construction of complex molecules from smaller ones)

Testosterone increases protein synthesis in muscles

Testosterone decreases muscle protein breakdown

Testosterone increases relative area of type I and type II fibers

Testosterone increases myogenin expression (a muscle-specific transcription factor for the development of functional skeletal muscle)

Testosterone reduces protein catabolism (the breakdown of molecules)

Testosterone stimulates growth hormone responses that enhance skeletal muscle cellular amino acid uptake

Testosterone increases neurotransmitter presence at muscle fiber sites

A study out of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston showed that the average increase in muscle mass was about 2.5 pounds. Other studies show similar increases in lean muscle along with a comparable decrease in body fat mass.

As you can see, the importance of testosterone for muscle mass is clear for both women and men.

How to Improve the Muscle Building Benefits of Testosterone

Some people naturally think that just using testosterone therapy alone will help build strong muscles, and that is not necessarily the case.

When someone has a normal amount of testosterone, muscle mass will not see a significant increase from treatment. The individual would have to raise the level of testosterone in the bloodstream so high that it would cause other unwelcome side effects.

People who have doctor-diagnosed Low T will receive positive benefits of testosterone for muscle mass.

When testosterone levels decline, all of the exercise in the world may not make a significant difference. Increasing testosterone through targeted therapy will help improve muscle mass, and adding in an exercise that targets the large muscle groups, such as bench presses, squats, dead lifts, and more will help improve the results.

In addition, testosterone benefits always improve when you get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Giving up or reducing the amount of sugar consumed, eating healthy, and adding nuts and heart smart fats like extra virgin coconut and olive oil to your diet will also help.

To learn more about the effects of testosterone on muscle mass and strength, or to inquire about Low T testing and treatment options for men and women, please contact the hormone specialists at HT Medical Center for a free consultation.