Should Christian Men Take TRT (Testosterone Hormone Treatment)?
- Mike Sonneveldt
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
Key Takeaways for "Should Christian men take TRT?"
Men's testosterone is declining each year - to the tune of about 1.2% more every year.
Environmental factors play a massive role in attacking testosterone production and stability
Christian men, as well as men in general, should get their testosterone checked. Low testosterone is a health risk.
It's not a question we typically ask ourselves. Should Christian men take TRT?
In my 20s, I saw anything having to do with “hormones” as cheating. The pride in me thought, “I need to earn everything I can naturally. I never want to be considered a cheater.”
I determined that all of my lifts would be pure hard work and effort…not drug-induced.
As a powerlifter, I thought strength should only be attained through hard work, nutrition, and rest.
I’m changing my tune.
Has Testosterone in men dropped over the years?
Christian men and their testosterone levels aren’t normally a part of the bigger conversation. This has been so out of the norm in typical church conversations that many people haven't even asked themselves, "Should Christian men take TRT?"
In fact, most Christian men likely see (or have been steered towards) the idea that testosterone therapy is akin to taking anabolic steroids or a move made lacking in faith.
But we need to know, is low testosterone actually a crisis?
In 2007, a key study was done by Travison et al. The study reports a %1.2 percent decline per year in U.S. men from 1987 to 2004.
That’s right, each year, it dropped another 1.2%.
That means a 60-year-old in 1987 had about a 17% higher T level than a 60-year-old in 2002.
Mind you, it’s not just aging out and losing testosterone. It’s across the board, at all ages.
A supporting study by Lokeshwar et al in 2020 showed that from 1999-2016, young men (15-39) dropped from 605-451 ng/dL in 16 years.
We shouldn't just be asking "Should Christian men take TRTs." We should be asking if all men should be taking TRTs.
Are Testosterone Levels Low in Men Today?
To answer, "Should Christian men take TRT?", we need to first determine if levels are even low enough to bother treating it.
Unfortunately, the testosterone levels of men have not risen or at least leveled out. Today, Travison et al report that healthy, non-obese 40-49 year-old men have a median testosterone level of 481 ng/dL.
In the 1980s, men of the same age range had a 100-150 ng/dL higher level of testosterone than men do today.
That means men in their 40s were walking around at 630 ng/dL, which sounds high even for men in their 20s these days.
Today’s “low-normal” was clinically low just a generation ago.
What are the Side Effects of Low Testosterone?
Sadly, some men don’t just think their low-T is a normal fact of life: some men revel in it. They don't need to ponder "Should Christian men take TRT" because they sense it's an insult to their direction in life.
In 2017, men from BuzzFeed participated in an experiment to see who was “hottest.”
Each of the four men had their testosterone levels checked. The highest level of these young men was 363 ng/dL, while the other three men sported below 300 ng/dL levels.
They tested below the level of a typical 85-year-old male (376 ng/dL) in 2017.
What makes the whole situation sadder is the young men’s response to the results.
They laughed, they reveled, and they competed for the bottom.
Unfortunately, the young men did not understand the health risks associated with their soy-boy low-T.
Should Christian men take TRT? It may depend on whether they want to be a soy-boy or not...
Or deal with the side effects of low testosterone.
The Side Effects of Low Testosterone
As reported from the Endocrine Society in 2010 by Bhasin et al, and Corona et al in 2014, several factors are associated with low testosterone.
Those side effects include:
Loss of libido
Erectile dysfunction
Increased fat mass
Loss of muscle/strength
Osteoporosis risk
Inhibition of muscle recovery
Insulin resistance
Diabetes
Depression
Fatigue
Higher all-cause and CV mortality
Men across the nation and the West are suffering from these conditions. Yet, we continue to pile on drug after drug, hoping to solve the symptoms instead of what may be a major root cause.
Our sickening diets, our polluted food and water, the buildup of plastics and chemicals in our bodies, and the sad levels of passive consumption of digital products all seem to be weighing us all down: figuratively and literally.
The Christian man needs to decide: will he continue to suffer from these conditions and symptoms, or will he start the journey of fighting back and seek a healthier lifestyle?
What is Causing Dropping Testosterone Levels in Men?
Despite the debates, a few factors seem to be bubbling to the surface.
Environmental factors such as plastics and pesticides are being shown as the prime suspects in the precipitous drop of testosterone in all men, including Christian men.
If these issues are truly a crisis, then the church needs to come to an answer on: should a Christian man take TRT?
Do EDCs Actually Influence Testosterone Levels?
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, or EDCs, correlate heavily with inhibiting proper testosterone function and production in the male body.
Chemicals that have been linked to EDCs include:
Phthalates: Found in plastics, fragrances, shampoo, and vinyl
BPA/BPS: Canned foods, receipts, and water bottles
PFAS: Non-stick pans, waterproof clothing
Pesticides: Food, water, lawns
Parabens: Cosmetics, lotions
Unfortunately, each one affects testosterone and hormone production in different ways.
Phthalates: Lower Leydig cell function (a major factor in testosterone production), and lower sperm count
BPA/BPS: Mimics estrogen in the body and lowers testosterone production
PFAS: Lowers free Testosterone and raises Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Pesticides: Blocks Testosterone enzymes
Parabens: Creates weak estrogenic activity
Studies show that EDCs seem to be creating a powerful negative effect on men’s testosterone levels and attacking them at the production level.
Sometimes, we wonder why Christian men and men in general seem more passive, apathetic, low-energy, and downright…feminine.
We wonder why our churches seem so feminine-centric, and even our faith and culture are seemingly being steamrolled.
We question why so many young men seem to be falling into weird, perverse segments of society.
We ask ourselves how we got to where we’re at, in which the masculine man is vilified and the feminine, soft, apathetic man seems to be the norm.
One can’t help but wonder whether low-T levels are a major culprit.
Yet, we don't even think to ask ourselves, "Should Christian men take TRT?"
And if it is the case that our environment (our surroundings) has deeply affected our hormones, then shouldn’t the Christian man defend himself against the toxic environment of this fallen world?
Why would we think the spiritual realm has effect and power across the earth, yet it wouldn’t try to poison us through chemicals and compounds?
Action Plan: Should Christian Men take TRT?
(Please note: This article is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be considered medical advice or recommendation. Consult with your doctor on all of these issues before moving forward.)
In short, a Christian man owes it to his family to get checked out. Getting tested is as simple as taking a blood test in the morning and having a doctor look over the results.
If a man’s test indicates low testosterone, then he has to make a choice: Does he take TRT?
Some may even ask a question beyond "Should a Christian man take TRT?" They may get into the realm of: Is it okay for a Christian man to take TRT?
Yes. It is. A Christian man, just like any other man, is being involuntarily influenced by the chemicals in our environment. The drop over the decades is not getting any better, and unfortunately, we are surrounded by EDCs.
We can’t escape them.
Try as we might, the EDCs will enter our bodies one way or another. While we can and should limit them, it’s time to fight fire with fire.
Some may say that it’s just a prayer issue. They think that the answer to "Should Christian men take TRT" is a resounding "No."
Do we see it as immoral and lacking in faith to take medication for a sickness or even a headache? Do we allow ourselves to get surgery and transplants when it is necessary? Do we stop taking insulin because of a lack of faith that God will cure our diabetes?
It’s a dangerous course to take to say that all medications and treatments are off the table. (And please note: this article disavows the idea that a person should just stop taking medication as a chance to “prove their faith.”)
Considering the health risks of low testosterone may be more impactful than we realize, we leave ourselves as sitting ducks if we don’t do something to counteract the negative force in the world that is attacking our bodies.
Satan wants men to be soft, weak, apathetic, and uninterested. Low testosterone sets a man up to allow darkness and wickedness to do what it wills.
When a Christian man takes TRT, he’s recognizing the detrimental effects the environment is having on his body. He’s stepping up and taking action. He’s counteracting the powerful, destructive chemicals that are keeping him from truly feeling like himself.
For instance, if we recognized that sugar was making us unhealthy and our eating habits needed to change, wouldn’t our counteracting the dangers of the sugar intake be in line with God’s will?
Wouldn’t a steak and greens be more akin to how God wants us to treat our bodies than cakes and soda?
A Christian man is called to be a steward of the temple, and if the temple is being ravaged by the environment, it only makes sense to do our best to protect it in honor of what our Lord gave us to steward.
Remember, He calls us to be responsible stewards with what He’s given us. Which means we need to take steps…not just sit and let Him fix it all.
But Is Taking Testosterone Therapy Just Like Taking Anabolics?
To be sure, taking testosterone is NOT akin to taking anabolics.
Testosterone is used to help a man return to the normal, healthy ranges of one of his most important hormones. Anabolics, on the other hand, create superhuman levels of testosterone and similar hormones.
The man using TRT is fighting to return to normal. The man taking anabolics is purposefully using compounds to reach levels his body could never attain naturally - even if his testosterone levels were naturally optimized.
This isn’t to throw shade or judgment on those who use anabolics. That’s between them and the Lord.
So, Should a Christian Man Take TRT?
For the average Christian man feeling down, sluggish, or just off - it may be necessary for him to look into TRT.
And he shouldn’t mistakenly believe that taking testosterone is just like taking anabolics or is somehow a sin because he's using modern science.
In the end, the church needs a rise in testosterone. It needs men to once again be men.
And one of the most effective ways to do that is to raise the average level of the Christian man’s testosterone.
Gentlemen: Get tested. You owe it to your family and yourself.
FAQ's for "Should Christian Men Take TRT?"
Q. Why do testosterone levels matter?
A. Low testosterone levels are linked to major health risks, such as things like: depression, anxiety, diabetes, and even higher mortality rates.
Q. How do I get a TRT prescription?
A. Start by asking your doctor for a blood test. Let them know you're concerned you may be low T.
Q. What if my doctor tells me that my testosterone levels are normal?
A. Some doctors believe that anything above the low end of the range (ie 200 or so) is considered normal and not a health risk. If this is the case, you may benefit from seeking out a doctor who better understands hormones, endocrinology, and testosterone in general.
Q. Should Christians be concerned about low-T and other hormones?
A. Yes. They are a signal in our body of our health levels. Just as we would be concerned about insulin levels, melatonin levels, thyroid levels, or other signals, hormones and markers play a big role in the proper operation of the body.
We as Christians would never tell a diabetic they're wrong for taking insulin, so why would we look at a hormone like testosterone, which influences so much, and say treating a deficiency is wrong?
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