Kyle Landi , the inspiring bodybuilder with Down syndrome who has taken the fitness world by storm, has made a groundbreaking revelation: he’s the first person with Down syndrome known to be on *estosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This medical milestone could potentially change the landscape of healthcare for individuals with Down syndrome.
During a recent podcast appearance, Kyle’s parents revealed that routine blood work showed his testosterone levels at just 200 — significantly below the normal range of 600-1000 for men.
“The average male is between 600 and 900 something like that,” explained his father Joe. “This kid’s test was 200. The doctor thinks he’d normally be about 100 but because he works out so much they think that he was able to pump it up to about 200.”
After months of research and consultation with Dr. Ming House, a sports therapy hormone specialist in Toronto who works with professional teams like the Raptors and Maple Leafs, the family made the decision to start Kyle on TRT. The decision wasn’t taken lightly especially considering Kyle’s medical history of open heart surgery at nine months old.
“We researched for a couple of months maybe three months to find any studies any case studies any scientific evidence to support our theory that it could help him,” Joe explained.
The potential benefits extend far beyond bodybuilding performance. Men with Down syndrome typically have shortened lifespans of 50-60 years with 80% developing Alzheimer’s disease due to plaque buildup in the brain.
The therapy could be life-changing.
“It’s going to improve his bone density so that he doesn’t break his hips when he gets older. It’s going to improve his heart,” Joe noted.
The cognitive benefits have already become apparent to those around Kyle, with many commenting on improvements in his communication and alertness since beginning treatment.
Kyle started TRT in January at a conservative dose of 80mg per week of testosterone cypionate, with regular blood work monitoring every six months. The family is working with Generation Iron on a documentary about Kyle’s journey and they’re collaborating with organizations like GG’s Playhouse and researcher Jeff Nippard on potential case studies.
