YMMV wrote:
Testosterone use for men over 40 went from 0.8% in 2001 to 3% in 2012; with this rate it is likely over 5% today. 25% didn't even have their T levels tested before being prescribed. Basically, doctors are handing this scrip out to guys over 40 that just complain about being "tired" etc..
https://www.livescience.com/37101-testosterone-therapy-prescription-increase.htmlConsidering the athletic benefits of testosterone, it seems reasonable to conclude that use among masters athletes might be considerably higher than 5%, especially among podium contenders.
TRT is a very lucrative business. Here where I live a retired football player from a SB winning team does promos for a local "Low-T center."
I know numerous middle-aged cats at the gym where I work out at, some who are competitive cyclists & runners, who are on TRT. In fact, a few have approached me providing business cards of the Low-T center they use.
I don't pass judgement on these cats - they're getting their T at a licensed clinic with an Rx and all. Some have reported phenomenal results in strength improvement, recovery & energy. Others I've talked with have said not so good with unwanted weight gain & increased aggressiveness & irritability. So, there's probably a lot of individual variability and certainly one size-does-not-fit-all. One thing is for certain though; get use to it because it is the wave of the future. Aging baby boomers want to stay competitive & active in sports for as long as they can.
Surprisingly, USADA has a little known Recreational Competitor TUE (RCTUE) for anabolic steroids & T policy that was quietly added in June 2015. Apparently if you don't win or become too good you can use the juice: ?
http://roidvisor.com/usada-permits-recreational-athletes-use-anabolic-steroids-long-promise-lose-races/