Any of you using "T" supplements?

The Coffee Shop
1

About 6 weeks ago I had lunch with a buddy in California I had not seen in six months. We are both the same age, 63. We were talking about nothing in particular when we got on the subject of work outs. I told him about my recent experiences at the gym and how frustrated I was with the lack of results. I am retired. I can work out anytime I want and for the first time in my life I can spend hours at the gym if I want. I can ride my bike 50 miles a day. I can train for marathons; the list goes on and on. But I wasn’t seeing any results. I didn’t feel like I had energy. I was kind of depressed but my life was great. I had gained weight and for the first time in my life I weighed over 200 lbs. My sex drive was pitiful. On this day my buddy said something that ended up changing my life for the better.

My buddy Jack told me a story that echoed with me. He said about 6 months earlier he found himself overweight by about 50 lbs. He was going to the gym but didn’t see any progress. He knew something was wrong, but he didn’t know what. So he made an appointment with his PCP. The PCP did some blood work and everything came back OK. During their results discussion the PCP spent the requisite time listening to him talk about his ailments and his general mood. And with nothing showing up in the lab results he then prescribed Jack anti-depressants.

Now Jack knew in his heart that his problem wasn’t depression. He may have had some symptoms, but he knew something else was going on. So he said no to the drugs and instead started his own quest to figure out what his problem could be. And he came up with the answer that may have saved his sanity and his life.

Jack believed that his symptoms pointed to low testosterone.

Armed with his test results from his PCP Jack went to a clinic that specialized in testosterone replacement therapy. The doctors there looked at his lab results. They weren’t surprise when Jack told them what was going on because they had seen the same symptoms in many other patients.

The idea that there is a “normal” range for male testosterone borders on the absurd. For men ages 19 and up, normal testosterone levels range from 240 to 950 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). That’s quite a range. And as males mature the levels fall. So at one time you could have been the guy with 950 nanograms but today, at age 63, maybe you are 300, well within range, but far far away from what you once would have tested for.

So Jack listened as the doctors described his options and they also told him of the possible side effects which include both acne and a heightened risk of blood clots among other things. To monitor his progress and safety he’d come into the clinic at regular intervals for blood work. That sounded reasonable, so he went all in.

Fast forward six months later and Jack feel like his younger self. He has energy, he has his libido back, he has a six pack where there was previously fifty pounds of fat, and more importantly his pleasant mood had returned without the need for anti-depressants!

Our meeting was more than fortuitous. It was earth shaking. I made the long ride back from Sacramento to Phoenix determined to look into testosterone replace therapy, because I am not an old man yet.

When I got back home I made an appointment with my PCP. I told him my symptoms. And guess what? My “T” levels were within guidelines.Then my doc really pissed me off. He said what I was just feeling was just part of the aging process. So I left the clinic, did some research and chose a lab to visit.

I am writing this because I have been on testosterone supplements for 6 weeks now. I give myself a shot twice a week. I also take a pill for my thyroid and a a vitamin D3 supplement. And I am feeling better. I have a lot of shit going on in my life but I am losing weight, down 7 lbs. My gym workouts are finally starting to show results. I have a lot more energy and my sex life is coming back from the dead. Just ask my wife who is recovering from this morning’s workout. :wink:

So guys, if you see any part of yourself in me or Jack take the time to understand what all your options are. Don’t just trust your PCP and guidelines to rule your life. I am really glad I didn’t.

2

I had my levels checked last August and was in the 700s (and “free” T was really good as well).

Turns out I was depressed.

TRT is very common in the jiu jutsu world and everyone I know that’s on it (a lot of people) say good things.

I’m not there yet but maybe someday.

Careful, though.

A lot of these guys end up banging some younger chicks and destroying their marriages.

3

I had my levels checked last August and was in the 700s (and “free” T was really good as well).

Turns out I was depressed.

TRT is very common in the jiu jutsu world and everyone I know that’s on it (a lot of people) say good things.

I’m not there yet but maybe someday.

Careful, though.

A lot of these guys end up banging some younger chicks and destroying their marriages.

Especially if their fathers in law know.

4

I had my levels checked last August and was in the 700s (and “free” T was really good as well).

Turns out I was depressed.

TRT is very common in the jiu jutsu world and everyone I know that’s on it (a lot of people) say good things.

I’m not there yet but maybe someday.

Careful, though.

A lot of these guys end up banging some younger chicks and destroying their marriages.

I am already banging a hot younger chick. My wife is nine years younger than me!

5

I had my levels checked last August and was in the 700s (and “free” T was really good as well).

Turns out I was depressed.

TRT is very common in the jiu jutsu world and everyone I know that’s on it (a lot of people) say good things.

I’m not there yet but maybe someday.

Careful, though.

A lot of these guys end up banging some younger chicks and destroying their marriages.

I am already banging a hot younger chick. My wife is nine years younger than me!

How long was she legally blind before you met?

6

I had my annual physical last week (I’m a week shy of turning 48). Blood work all came back great but I’ve been feeling run down for about a year, 18 months, even when taking long stretches of time off from any exercise. I have been racking it up to a ‘new normal’ after tearing a lumbar disc two years ago. This feeling of exhaustion hits daily regardless of what else I am doing, usually mid-afternoon I just want o sleep.

My PCP decided to test my T levels, haven’t gotten the results back yet but preparing myself for two worst case scenarios.
1- results are on the low end of ‘normal’ and I’m just going to feel like shit everyday, ie the new normal.
2- results are below normal and I have make a decision, supplement and feel good again and kiss racing goodbye, or suck it up and get used to the new normal.

What I’d like to know but haven’t seen yet, if T level are dropping, will they eventually level off or its is just a slow decline?

7

I am writing this because I have been on testosterone supplements for 6 weeks now. I give myself a shot twice a week. I also take a pill for my thyroid and a a vitamin D3 supplement. And I am feeling better.

Been thinking about it for a while now. I’m 48 and libido has really dropped off over the last couple of years, no big changes at the gym but honestly I mostly just putz around doing bodybuilding type stuff so not sure what I would expect plus I don’t eat all that well.

Anyway going for my annual physical today but my PCP is a 40 year old obese female who mostly treats college students. I can’t imagine she’s going to have much positive to say if I broach the subject of T replacement therapy.

More to the point can’t you get patches for T, why injections?

I hate needles and blood draws in particular, probably bad enough I wouldn’t do the testing if that is what it took to get some T.

8

I plan on having my levels checked in a few years when I turn 40. Once my T levels start dropping I plan on supplementing, however I have more research to do first. For example, once you start supplementing does your natural production to testosterone stop, or is that only when people are taking large doses of T leaving their levels outside the normal range?

9

I plan on having my levels checked in a few years when I turn 40. Once my T levels start dropping I plan on supplementing, however I have more research to do first. For example, once you start supplementing does your natural production to testosterone stop, or is that only when people are taking large doses of T leaving their levels outside the normal range?

One of my training partners was on it for a few years and stopped. He said he felt like he’ll for about 6 months.

10

I plan on having my levels checked in a few years when I turn 40. Once my T levels start dropping I plan on supplementing, however I have more research to do first. For example, once you start supplementing does your natural production to testosterone stop, or is that only when people are taking large doses of T leaving their levels outside the normal range?

One of my training partners was on it for a few years and stopped. He said he felt like he’ll for about 6 months.

Physiologic levels or gym meathead levels?

11

I plan on having my levels checked in a few years when I turn 40. Once my T levels start dropping I plan on supplementing, however I have more research to do first. For example, once you start supplementing does your natural production to testosterone stop, or is that only when people are taking large doses of T leaving their levels outside the normal range?

One of my training partners was on it for a few years and stopped. He said he felt like he’ll for about 6 months.

Physiologic levels or gym meathead levels?

Can’t say for sure.

12

I am writing this because I have been on testosterone supplements for 6 weeks now. I give myself a shot twice a week. I also take a pill for my thyroid and a a vitamin D3 supplement. And I am feeling better.

Been thinking about it for a while now. I’m 48 and libido has really dropped off over the last couple of years, no big changes at the gym but honestly I mostly just putz around doing bodybuilding type stuff so not sure what I would expect plus I don’t eat all that well.

Anyway going for my annual physical today but my PCP is a 40 year old obese female who mostly treats college students. I can’t imagine she’s going to have much positive to say if I broach the subject of T replacement therapy.

More to the point can’t you get patches for T, why injections?

I hate needles and blood draws in particular, probably bad enough I wouldn’t do the testing if that is what it took to get some T.

The patch was also an option. Along with a cream and injections. I inject Monday and Thursday which to me was the easiest option.

13

So I asked my PCP, actually she brought it up when I mentioned the low libido. She said in her experience her patients that go on T stop after a year or so because it didn’t give them the boost they thought it would.

She gave me the name of another doctor in the area who specializes in that sort of thing if I wanted to go that route.

14

Last time I was tested I was pretty low - low 300’s in T, also very low free T reading. Possibly from overtraining in endurance stuff, and also possibly my baseline is just low.

But since I’m an active bike racer, I can’t touch the stuff. Also still youngish -45 - and on zero prescription drugs so far, I’d like to stave off joining the Great American Prescription Drug Train until I really need to. So I’m trying to do everything possible to raise it naturally. Diet, lifting more weights instead of just doing endurance stuff.

This reminds me I should get re-tested to see if it’s doing any good.

15

Last time I was tested I was pretty low - low 300’s in T, also very low free T reading. Possibly from overtraining in endurance stuff, and also possibly my baseline is just low.

But since I’m an active bike racer, I can’t touch the stuff. Also still youngish -45 - and on zero prescription drugs so far, I’d like to stave off joining the Great American Prescription Drug Train until I really need to. So I’m trying to do everything possible to raise it naturally. Diet, lifting more weights instead of just doing endurance stuff.

This reminds me I should get re-tested to see if it’s doing any good.

Now that we are fellow anti-marxist crusaders, I should say that I am taking a similar position to yours. Unfortunately, I look around and can pretty much tell when my competition – or the buffed old dude in the gym – are using vitamin T.

16

Last time I was tested I was pretty low - low 300’s in T, also very low free T reading. Possibly from overtraining in endurance stuff, and also possibly my baseline is just low.

But since I’m an active bike racer, I can’t touch the stuff. Also still youngish -45 - and on zero prescription drugs so far, I’d like to stave off joining the Great American Prescription Drug Train until I really need to. So I’m trying to do everything possible to raise it naturally. Diet, lifting more weights instead of just doing endurance stuff.

This reminds me I should get re-tested to see if it’s doing any good.

Squats, deadlifts, don’t drink alcohol.

17

Last time I was tested I was pretty low - low 300’s in T, also very low free T reading. Possibly from overtraining in endurance stuff, and also possibly my baseline is just low.

But since I’m an active bike racer, I can’t touch the stuff. Also still youngish -45 - and on zero prescription drugs so far, I’d like to stave off joining the Great American Prescription Drug Train until I really need to. So I’m trying to do everything possible to raise it naturally. Diet, lifting more weights instead of just doing endurance stuff.

This reminds me I should get re-tested to see if it’s doing any good.

Squats, deadlifts, don’t drink alcohol.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, too.

18

Last time I was tested I was pretty low - low 300’s in T, also very low free T reading. Possibly from overtraining in endurance stuff, and also possibly my baseline is just low.

But since I’m an active bike racer, I can’t touch the stuff. Also still youngish -45 - and on zero prescription drugs so far, I’d like to stave off joining the Great American Prescription Drug Train until I really need to. So I’m trying to do everything possible to raise it naturally. Diet, lifting more weights instead of just doing endurance stuff.

This reminds me I should get re-tested to see if it’s doing any good.

Squats, deadlifts, don’t drink alcohol.

I stopped drinking all alcohol in January. (which was surprisingly easy after the first 2 days)

I started doing CrossFit, so now my body craves squats and deadlifts. (Ashley Horner reference, sorry.)

19

Sorry - getting old, suck it up or juice it up and possibly shorten life, clots and prostate cancer I have heard isn’t fun.

Go to a gym where their not jacked up so you won’t be envious

Heard viagra works

20

I’m shocked (pleasantly) that you haven’t been blasted with deafening screams of “DOPER!”…is the LR a kinder, gentler place than that other forum?!

I’ve been on T for nearly 10 years. I’ve used gel, patches, pellets, long acting injections, weekly injections…
Without exogenous T, my levels sit in the low to high 200’s. Testicular cancer cost me one nut, chemo effectively deactivated the other. I don’t know what my T levels were pre-cancer, so I have no idea what my baseline was.
The gel and patches both had reduced effect after 12-18 months of use, so I had to ramp up the dosage more and more in order to keep my numbers in-range. Both eventually became ridiculously inconvenient, requiring 3-4x the normal dose to have therapeutic effect. My doc blames a lack of androgen receptors on my skin.
Pellets worked well, but the procedure is rather invasive, resulting in major bruising and discomfort. After a couple of years, I got tired of being poked, prodded, and so beat up every 3 months.
Currently on Aveed, long lasting injections. Thanks to insurance bureaucracy, I’m likely going back to weekly self injection, even though the Aveed is working ok.
Without supplemental T, my energy level, libido, motivation to work out, quality of workouts, recovery, etc all suffer. With the supplemental T, my numbers still usually stay in the mid 300’s-400’s, and I don’t feel like superman by any stretch, but I certainly feel wayyy better than with only my own production!
I’m glad it’s making a positive difference for you, too!
Cheers,
John