Greg Doucette believes that the vast majority of people using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) don’t actually need it, arguing that many are using the treatment as an excuse to take PEDs.
Speaking during an appearance on The Iced Coffee Hour podcast, the bodybuilder and fitness coach was asked to estimate how many people on TRT genuinely have a medical need for it. Doucette suggested the number was surprisingly low, offering a blunt assessment of the situation.
“If I had to put a percentage, I would say at least 90% of people on TRT don’t need it and it’s just an excuse to go on a cycle.”
Doucette explained that there is a significant difference between medically necessary hormone replacement and using testosterone to improve one’s physique, build muscle, or boost energy levels. In his view, many people label their testosterone use as TRT despite taking amounts that more closely resemble a performance-enhancing cycle.
“Most people’s TRT is not TRT. It’s like, it’s a small cycle.”
He also highlighted the potential for testosterone use to escalate over time. According to Doucette, people who initially start taking testosterone may become accustomed to its physical and psychological effects, eventually wanting to increase their dosage.
“The harm is that once you start getting used to it and you like it, you’re going to do more.”
Dosage was another major concern for Doucette. Discussing his own testosterone intake, he acknowledged that even his weekly amount could be excessive for many people.
“Even my dose at 140 for most people is way too high. Most people would need 100 or less, but most people doing TRT are doing 200 to 250, which is way too much. It’s ridiculous.”
Interestingly, Doucette also suggested that some people taking testosterone might be able to recover their natural hormone production after discontinuing treatment, although this would depend on the individual.
“Technically, I don’t need HRT. I could probably go off to HRT and in six months to a year, my testosterone levels would go back to normal.”
Despite believing he could function without hormone replacement, Doucette admitted that he prefers how he feels with his current testosterone levels. He said he is comfortable maintaining levels between 700 and 800 nanograms per deciliter rather than returning to a lower baseline.
“But I function great at 700 to 800 nanograms per deciliter. I’m really happy with that. I’m sure I would survive at 500, but I don’t want to.”
However, Doucette was careful to distinguish his criticism of recreational testosterone use from medically prescribed treatment. He maintained that people who genuinely have low testosterone and require medical intervention should not avoid treatment.
“If it’s a doctor that’s telling you to take them and prescribing them or you’re low on testosterone then absolutely you’re better off with them. But most people are taking them and then when they take them they’re taking too high of a dose and it’s shortening their life and when they get older then they’ll regret it.”
Ultimately, Doucette’s argument was that TRT should be reserved for people with a genuine medical need rather than becoming an easy route to building muscle, improving body composition, or chasing higher energy levels.
