Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) affect on abdominal fat loss

[Next Level]

TRT affect on abdominal fat loss

Hey Everyone,

Wanted to hear from some of you guys that have been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for a decent amount of time.

Have you noticed a superior ability for your body to metabolize food?

Have any of you had extreme difficulty shedding central or abdominal fat regardless of diet and exercise prior to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) completely changed?

Thanks Guys!

 

[Mprtz]

I was always fairly lean, bodyweight around 165 for most of my life. In my late forties, I noticed I was holding more fat around the waist at the same bodyweight. Was losing muscle to compensate even though I was always training and very active.

TRT reversed this in dramatic fashion, taking that fat off my waist even though I was making no effort to restrict calories - just eating high protein and pretty low carb.

I had visible abs about 6 weeks into TRT.

 

[halfwit]

Teen to mid 20's => 270-285lbs (8-10% bf) => Shutdown at 25ish => 380-476lbs (36-44% bf)=> testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) 4 years ago (mid 30's) => 338lbs (~19% bf) today. I'm 6'7", so if those numbers sound crazy, that's probably why. I don't want you to take from this that it magically melts fat off you and doesn't require work. The entire time (minus a few years) that I was shut down and didn't know it I was constantly in the gym, trying all sorts of diets, doing hours of cardio a day and would not see any lasting weight loss.

If you're willing to put in the effort, you will see results once you have fixed any imbalance going on. Yes, even if you don't workout or diet properly you may see a few pounds drop off you - but nothing drastic. I still have a bit to go until I'm happy, but where there's a will; there's a way.

My .02c

 

[riprockwell]

I have lost some visceral fat once starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and it generally took me around 6 months before I really noticed it. However, testosterone usage can decrease thyroid output. I have a friend on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and couldn't shed body fat until he increased thyroid hormone. I also know some guys who drop a bunch of visceral fat quickly once starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), so it just depends on the person. However, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) combined with a good diet is a great combo.

 

[Sedg1]

Absolutely. I have been weight training serious for more than 30 years. I go most days after work. I have never had an issue with excessive weight or a belly. But as last year progressed, I developed a malaise I could not shake. I lost interest in my workouts but still dragged my ass there at the end of the day. Much to my surprise I began to develop a "keg" around my middle. My weight did not change much, but the distribution certainly did. And no matter how hard I worked, I could not burn it off.
Then in January, I was diagnosed with LT and began cyp injections. Within a month, I noticed a dramatic change in my body habitus. The keg transitioned into, well, a strong 4-pack. Again, my body weight did not change a great deal - perhaps up 4-5 pounds because of increased muscle mass. But the belly evaporated. Perhaps it is because I was able to hit the gym harder. In any event, there is little question that abdominal fat can be a sign of LT but not in everyone, particularly if you had issues of that kind before your testosterone went south.
Hope this helps.

 

[Alpin]

After 4 weeks on it I can honestly say body composition starts to change while on it...
you're body is more firm, muscles are more full....
I was already running and training...even with LOW T...the best that I could...
but I had some bloating and abdominal fat...have seen improvement so far though.

 

[CobraMustangSVT]

I'm glad I found this thread.

I've been fairly lean all my life. I've also been working out for years, mainly cardio but I do lift. My squat is 315, my deadlift is 495 and my bench is 225. From my teens through 25, I was 145-155lbs. Around 27-30, I was 165-175. I stayed there until I was 35 and that's when I hit 195-195. Here's where it went south. I started developing a belly and I never had one. Around 36, I tried that lemondade (starvation) diet to try to get back to 180 or so lbs. It worked but then I gained the weight back. I tried it once more but couldn't lose the weight this time. Now I'm 38 and I'm 210 and 20% BF. I've been trying to get down to 15 but it's been impossible, no matter what I do now.

I haven't started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) yet but I do have 2 bottles of Androgel sitting here. If it'll help me shake this belly fat, it might just be worth it.

 

[CobraMustangSVT]

After 4 weeks on it I can honestly say body composition starts to change while on it...
you're body is more firm, muscles are more full....
I was already running and training...even with LOW T...the best that I could...
but I had some bloating and abdominal fat...have seen improvement so far though.

This is what's been pissing me off. I used to eat junk food like there's no tomorrow and I couldn't gain a pound. I had a 6 pack without even trying. Once I got past 35, BAM, I could only gain weight on my belly. I ended up looking like some alien (I think the term is "Android Fat or Android Belly").

 

[Megatron28]

I'm glad I found this thread.

I've been fairly lean all my life. I've also been working out for years, mainly cardio but I do lift. My squat is 315, my deadlift is 495 and my bench is 225. From my teens through 25, I was 145-155lbs. Around 27-30, I was 165-175. I stayed there until I was 35 and that's when I hit 195-195. Here's where it went south. I started developing a belly and I never had one. Around 36, I tried that lemondade (starvation) diet to try to get back to 180 or so lbs. It worked but then I gained the weight back. I tried it once more but couldn't lose the weight this time. Now I'm 38 and I'm 210 and 20% BF. I've been trying to get down to 15 but it's been impossible, no matter what I do now.

I haven't started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) yet but I do have 2 bottles of Androgel sitting here. If it'll help me shake this belly fat, it might just be worth it.

Most guys don't respond well to gels or creams. Injections are more effective.

 

[Next Level]

I appreciate all the replies and insight guys, thanks.

I'm bordering on being prescribed a trial run of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to see how I respond to it. I've had 4 total testosterone tests (in the last 1.5 years) that have come back in the low end of the lab range but nonetheless within range (I'm only 31 years old and eat right (designed by 3J) and train 5 days a week. Then, I had a total testosterone test come back a week ago that was below the range (6.5 nmol/L - lab range 8.4-28.8 nmol/L).

The endo is concerned and has ordered an AM total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and LH and FSH bloodwork. If I'm low again, he will prescribe a trail run of Test C (3 months I believe) to see how I respond.

The reason for this thread is that I was always skinny with visible abs until my mid 20's I would say, now I have a stomach that protrudes regardless of diet or exercise, 3J and I are trying to dial it in but my body doesn't seem to respond and hasn't for years so hormones must be playing a major role here.

It's simultaneously encouraging to know that there may be a solution and infuriating that It appears that I never could have out-dieted or out exercised this abdominal problem.

 

[Alpin]

This is what's been pissing me off. I used to eat junk food like there's no tomorrow and I couldn't gain a pound. I had a 6 pack without even trying. Once I got past 35, BAM, I could only gain weight on my belly. I ended up looking like some alien (I think the term is "Android Fat or Android Belly").

I hear you and believe you. Hopefully the few Testosterone gurus that are on here, will come to realize that there is no validity to their claim that Testosterone continues to rise till 40 years of age.
If this was the case then 40 year olds would have the same stamina, metabolism as 20 year olds.

 

[Alpin]

This is what's been pissing me off. I used to eat junk food like there's no tomorrow and I couldn't gain a pound. I had a 6 pack without even trying. Once I got past 35, BAM, I could only gain weight on my belly. I ended up looking like some alien (I think the term is "Android Fat or Android Belly").

I ate freely on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for 2.5 years and weight remained the same!!!!
I barely even trained due to an injury in my back.
ice cream, pizza, along with my regular meals...
Never any Mc'D's or stuff like that....but once I came off testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and continued the same eating habits...
I gained 22 pounds in six months!!!
I was headed for death until July of this year till I did a 360 in my diet and began exercising aggressively nd even then with the LOW T I could not drop large amounts of weight....

 

[Megatron28]

I hear you and believe you. Hopefully the few Testosterone gurus that are on here, will come to realize that there is no validity to their claim that Testosterone continues to rise till 40 years of age.
If this was the case then 40 year olds would have the same stamina, metabolism as 20 year olds.

I didn't realize testosterone is the only variable in the equation. Thanks for setting that straight Apollon.

 

[halfwit]

I appreciate all the replies and insight guys, thanks.

I'm bordering on being prescribed a trial run of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to see how I respond to it. I've had 4 total testosterone tests (in the last 1.5 years) that have come back in the low end of the lab range but nonetheless within range (I'm only 31 years old and eat right (designed by 3J) and train 5 days a week. Then, I had a total testosterone test come back a week ago that was below the range (6.5 nmol/L - lab range 8.4-28.8 nmol/L).

The endo is concerned and has ordered an AM total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and LH and FSH bloodwork. If I'm low again, he will prescribe a trail run of Test C (3 months I believe) to see how I respond.

The reason for this thread is that I was always skinny with visible abs until my mid 20's I would say, now I have a stomach thst protrudes regardless of diet or exercise, 3J and I are trying to dial it it but my body doesn't seem to respond and hasn't for years so hormones must be playing a major role here.

It's simultaneously encouraging to know that there may be a solution and infuriating that It appears that I never could have out-dieted or out exercised this abdominal problem.

You will most certainly see a HUGE difference. Not only will the scale start to move (it may not at first as you'll be building new muscle while shrinking those fat cells) but you'll start to feel hope once again that you CAN change your appearance. I had just about given up until I found testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) was the answer I was looking for. It most certainly is a game changer.

LOL Megatron.

Youuuuu so craaaazy.

 

[Next Level]

Thanks for the reply halfwit. It's been so frustrating to be so disciplined with little to no results for years. Even convincing my GP to test my testosterone levels was difficult as he figured that "there is no way they will be low."

I've included a table of my total testosterone levels for the last year or so, I think I'm a prime candidate for TRT. LH and FSH are low normal if you're curious. Also, I'm 31, 185 lbs, 6 feet tall, 16% bf maybe.


View attachment 554800


Thanks again for the hope about changing my body composition. Typically, the cause is a lack of discipline, diet and proper training. You end up at a loss after years of doing it right without the kind of results you should be getting.

Great to hear that it was a game changer for you. Kind of excited that it may be for me too.

You will most certainly see a HUGE difference. Not only will the scale start to move (it may not at first as you'll be building new muscle while shrinking those fat cells) but you'll start to feel hope once again that you CAN change your appearance. I had just about given up until I found testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) was the answer I was looking for. It most certainly is a game changer.

LOL Megatron.

Youuuuu so craaaazy.

 

[pdelta]

I've been on Androgel for 4 months and it has made a huge difference. I feel better, have more energy and sex drive and although my overall weight hasen't changed my waist is smaller, my arms are bigger, I'm substantially more vascular and I once again have a six pack. I'm taking 81mg Androgel+Phlogel Ultra+75mg of formestane daily. My overall T has increased three fold. I'm getting regular comments in the gym that I'm looking bigger. Androgel works but you have to use it correctly. It took me a while to figure it out.

 

[gfox9]

I've been on Androgel for 4 months and it has made a huge difference. I feel better, have more energy and sex drive and although my overall weight hasen't changed my waist is smaller, my arms are bigger, I'm substantially more vascular and I once again have a six pack. I'm taking 81mg Androgel+Phlogel Ultra+75mg of formestane daily. My overall T has increased three fold. I'm getting regular comments in the gym that I'm looking bigger. Androgel works but you have to use it correctly. It took me a while to figure it out.

Can you please expand on what you mean by 'using it correctly'?