Happy Thursday!
One of the advantages of my AI tool is that it aggregates anonymized data from people's questions and identifies gaps in my content.
Remember, you can check out the AI tool here:
This helps me recognize the weak points in the material I create and how to better create content that serves you.
And one thing in the aggregated data that stood out to me was whether to use HRT or GLP-1s first.
Honestly, I love that this question is being asked.
A few years ago, nobody cared. They were chasing the next supplement or the next crash diet. Now they're asking about the foundation underneath all of it.
That tells me something is shifting and people are finally waking up to the fact that hormones run the show.
So let's talk about which one comes first. My answer might surprise you.
The Two Camps
There are two ways people think about this.
The first camp says hormones first. If your testosterone is low, fix the testosterone. Everything downstream gets easier once your foundation is solid.
The second camp says GLP-1 first. Drop the weight, clean up the metabolic mess, and let your own testosterone climb as the fat comes off.
Both camps have a point. That's what makes this one tricky.
Here's a fun fact for you. Excess body fat actively lowers testosterone in men. Fat tissue converts your testosterone into estrogen. So losing fat really can nudge your levels back up on its own.
For women, the story is different but related. Better insulin sensitivity and less inflammation create a calmer hormonal environment across the board.
So yes, a GLP-1 can move the needle. But there's a ceiling to how far it goes. And most people hit it a lot faster than they expect.
Why I Prefer Hormones First
I'll always recommend hormones as the foundation. Every time.
Low testosterone steals your energy, your sleep, your mood, your drive. It makes everything harder, including the diet and training you need to lose the weight in the first place.
We ask people to eat clean and train hard while their hormones work against them. Then we wonder why they quit in three weeks.
Fixing the hormones first flips that. Suddenly, the gym feels good again. Recovery improves. The motivation that felt impossible starts showing up on its own.
A GLP-1 can shrink you. Hormones rebuild you.
When your foundation is solid, fat loss tends to follow and stick.
That's the order I believe in. Hormones first, everything else second.
But Are You Ready?
In the real world, I realize not everyone is going to jump straight to TRT or HRT.
Some people aren't there yet. The needle scares them. The commitment scares them. They want to dip a toe in before they dive.
I get it. I'm not going to pretend otherwise.
So if someone won't start hormones today, is it better to start them on tirzepatide or retatrutide and get moving? Honestly, yes.
A GLP-1 gives them a win. They lose some weight, they feel a little better, and that momentum builds confidence. Momentum is powerful. It gets people moving in the right direction when nothing else has.
Is it the complete answer? No. Will their testosterone fully recover from fat loss alone? For most people, no.
But it beats doing nothing while they wait to feel ready. A body in motion is a lot easier to coach than a body on the couch.
I actually predict that GLP-1s will be the greatest gateway drug to HRT we have ever seen.
Final Thoughts
So here's where I land.
If you're ready to do it right, start with hormones. Build the foundation, then layer in a GLP-1 if you need help with the weight. That combination is hard to beat.
If you're not ready for hormones yet, start with the GLP-1. Get the win. Build the momentum. Just don't fool yourself into thinking you've arrived.
I've watched too many people lose the weight, feel great for a year, then crash because they never fixed what was broken underneath.
Don't be that person.
Use the GLP-1 to get moving if you have to. But keep your eyes on where this is actually headed. Long-term, hormones are always the answer.
I’ll leave you with this.
The worst choice is standing still, arguing chicken or egg, while your best years quietly slip by. Testosterone first or GLP-1 first, both beat that by a mile.
Pick a direction. Start moving. You can always adjust the plan once you have momentum.
But do something.
The people asking me this question are already ahead of the ones who aren't asking anything at all.
Start where you can. Aim for where you should be. And keep going!
Best,
Hunter Williams