Jo Lindner’s last post hints at health battles as bodybuilding Joesthetics YouTuber opened up on hormone therapy
JO Lindner's last Instagram post hinted at his health battles as the bodybuilding Youtuber opened up on his hormone therapy journey.
The Joesthetic star died yesterday at the age of 30 in his girlfriend's arms after a sudden aneurysm.
But just two days before his passing, the German bodybuilder had taken to Instagram to reveal his struggles with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).
Along with a slideshow of four topless photos, the star wrote: "When I lost my gains because I went off everything for 1 year but then could not recover my own [testosterone] levels so went back on trt.
“Trust me I tried to stop but be aware it might have long term effects for your life,” he continued.
“Trt is a big commitment keep that in mind.”
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He then went on to explain that the last two images in the slides displayed the differences in his body from before and after beginning TRT.
"Show a lot of size difference," he wrote, "you can see at chest etc all slim down even my waist is smaller back then".
He challenged his followers to "find twelve differences" between the two images before opening up on his hernia.
Jo explained: "Also my stomach now due to my hernia surgery now it's a new hernia there and it makes my stomach bigger".
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What is TRT?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
According to , TRT is usually prescribed to patients suffering with low testosterone levels, which can occur with age or as a result of a medical condition.
It is the replacement of a man’s natural testosterone production when it is lower than it should be and causing symptoms of low testosterone.
But TRT is becoming increasingly popular for non-medical uses such as enhancing sexual performance, achieving higher energy levels, losing weight, and building muscle mass for bodybuilding.
People can take TRT orally, via intramuscular injections and implants or transdermal patches, mouth patches, and topical creams or gels.
Other options include intranasal gels or pellets.
Research suggests that although the therapy can cause benefits - it also includes some serious side effects.
Healthline states that potential side effects include:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Speech difficulties
- Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
- Sleep apnoea
- Swelling in the hands or legs
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Low sperm count
In most countries, it is illegal to purchase T (testosterone) without a prescription as T sold outside of legal pharmacies is unregulated.
Experts are still trying to fully understand the risks and side effects of TRT.
According to , many existing studies have limitations, such as being small in size or using larger-than-usual doses of T.
As a result, there’s still some debate over the benefits and risks linked to TRT - or example, it’s been said to both increase and decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.
His 8.5million fans have continued flocking to the comment section of the post to pay tribute to the late athlete.
One wrote: "Rest in peace Brazza, you inspired so many people, and your legacy will always live on".
Another said: "Respect for you KING! Thanks for everything you shared to us".
A third commented: "This is so sad, you were part of my fitness history. Rest in peace".
Jo's girlfriend, Nicha, revealed he died while they were cuddling, shortly after gifting her a custom made necklace with her name on it.
Nicha posted on Instagram: "He was in my arms... than this is just happening too fast... 3 days ago he kept said that he had pain in his neck ... we didn't really realise it until it was too late.
"If your guys were to know him like I do… he is the most amazing and incredible person in this world."
Weeks earlier, Jo said he had feared over-training would give him a heart attack due to his rare muscular condition.
Jo suffered from rippling muscle disease, where muscles are unusually sensitive to movement or pressure.
He previously told YouTuber Bradley Martyn: "The heart is also a muscle, that’s my biggest concern that what if I get such a bad cramp that my heart gets a cramp.
"That makes me scared. That's why I'm staying away from bodybuilding competitions too much.
"Because I would take all these diuretics and if I stop eating salt and drink a lot, and then stop drinking as well, you would pee everything out, and then you would take a diuretic as well on top and then you pee even more sodium out.
"I cannot exist really. I cannot even walk anymore."
Jo added that he was afraid of how this dehydration could potentially lead to heart issues.
Although the bodybuilder's cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Nicha - who goes by the name Imma Peaches - has suggested he suffered an aneurysm.
Jo was once a regular gym goer who - although muscly - was no more ripped than the average man who lifts weights on a regular basis.
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But as his transformation developed, he became one of the biggest bodybuilders in the game.
His status as a fitness inspiration had increased significantly over recent years and his astonishing physical appearance saw him accumulate nearly one million fans on YouTube before he died.
