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I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After co

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete game changer! Yes I feel like a shill saying/typing it but it is true. My energy has gone way up and my mind is feels much sharper than it previously was. To be honest at 30 this may not be an issue for you but I put this out there for others who maybe older I definitely recommend getting tested at a clinic that specializes in testosterone replacement therapy.

radicalbyte 4y ago
Thanks for posting this - I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. That combined with being totally out of shape (covid + terrible two's).
- magicalist 4y ago
  > I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. Evidence of testosterone supplementation improving cognitive performance is weak despite many studies. Evidence of sleep associated with cognitive performance is extensive and well documented. The (not that helpful in the moment) good news is that kids get older and will eventually sleep more and more independently.
  - hathawsh 4y ago
    Indeed, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With young kids, problems that need an immediate solution are frequent. (When the toilet overflows, you can't just leave it for later.) Now that my kids are a bit older, the problems are more complex, but we generally have more time to work on them. (Kid needs to be convinced to clean their room so they can find their wallet.)
- DamnYuppie 4y ago
  I would recommend trying to work on diet/exercise before I would go down the TRT path. If you get those squared away and stress at home is reduced and you still are having the same issues then it maybe something to look into.
  - pstuart 4y ago
    And quality sleep.
  - radicalbyte 4y ago
    That's the plan - I was lifting before we had our youngest (2.5) and fairly fit (dad bod but I was working on it). Last 2.5 years ruined that. Will be happy when I can get back to regular training but for that to happen we need to be over this current period.
300bps 4y ago
I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed no decline. I do heavy weight lifting three days per week and burn about 1,000 calories per day with cardio. That seems to be a sweet spot - too little exercise or too much and your testosterone will take a hit. Rubbish diet will not help though either.
- sillysaurusx 4y ago
  How do you measure testosterone? You make it sound like you just step on a testosterone scale each morning and take note of the value. If that’s the case, I need to get me one.
  - teaearlgraycold 4y ago
    You can get home kits. You just give them a couple drops of blood and send it back.
    - 300bps 4y ago
      It's even easier than that - there are even saliva tests: https://www.everlywell.com/products/testosterone-test/ https://www.everlywell.com/products/testosterone-test/ (No affiliation, not an affiliate link)
      - bengy5959 4y ago
        Careful with the Saliva tests. They are much less accurate. I had one done and it said I was way above the normal range. I went to the doctor and had a blood test and it was normal.
  - DamnYuppie 4y ago
fnordpiglet 4y ago
You should investigate clomiphene citrate instead of testosterone directly. Clomid mutes the brains response to estrogen, the final feedback product of the testosterone cycle. This causes the body to produce more testosterone in the testes rather than front loading the cycle. The primary impact is your testes continue to function, while testosterone over time will chemically castrate you. This has been in use for 60 or so years but isn’t an FDA approved use of clomid. The primary reason is clomid is cheap to produce and not patented. It’s extremely safe and if you shop around you’ll find a urologist that’s aware of it and will prescribe it - but most urologists get marketing benefits from the rather expensive testosterone replacement products so not all are either aware or are willing to forego the lucrative marketing funds. I switch to this about 10 years ago after starting testosterone for a few months. I wanted to have kids and I was very worried. I researched the biological processes for testosterone and stumbled on clomid as a relatively well known but unmarketed low T therapy. I went to a top urologist at NYU and he ranted about urologists that don’t use clomid. He gave me a prescription and it worked like magic. Two years later I had my first kid. I still take it at a low dose because I feel great. My testosterone levels are high normal range. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182219/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182219/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene (other uses section)
- tootie 4y ago
  I'm pretty sure the FDA has never denied a drug use application because it's not patentable and that's just a conspiracy theory used by people pushing bogus treatments. If there's peer-reviewed research that it works, it would be prescribed without doctor shopping.
  - fnordpiglet 4y ago
    That’s not my point. It’s not patentable so it’s not commercially viable to go through the clinical trials process for something that’s basically free to produce. There is plenty of peer reviewed research, but not all doctors are aware of all research and testosterone replacement is widely marketed with very lucrative contracts to urologists. Feel free to read the research yourself https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Clomiphene+testosterone https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Clomiphene+testostero...
dominotw 4y ago
> I can say that it is a complete game changer! Could this be a placebo effect. I have low testosterone too. I've been doing "natural" ways by changing diet, cardio/weights, sleeping in a lot, trying to have sex regularly. But my numbers just don't seem to budge. I think my only options now are TRT or just accept and make peace with it. If I do TRT, my impression is that you have stay on it for life. I am not sure i am ready for that kind of commitment.
- fnordpiglet 4y ago
  See my reply above about clomiphene citrate. I had that same worry. While I still take it I could stop at any time and my body will produce testosterone naturally. TRT is castrating and there are medical alternatives that work.
- DamnYuppie 4y ago
  I 100% feel you as the fear of having to do it forever was a big hold up for me as well. The reality is you can stop whenever you want you will just go back to having less energy etc. Having done it I can see myself doing it until my late 50's at which point I should have the majority of my adventuring done as well as be out of the workforce so I will probably not be too concerned about lack of energy.
  - dominotw 4y ago
    >The reality is you can stop whenever you want you will just go back to having less energy etc. I am not sure if you go back to your previous baseline. I know athletes who do this have forever left with way lower testosterone than their previous baseline.
- blindmute 4y ago
  Once you experience a normal level of testosterone, you would not consider for a moment returning to "baseline". The commitment would be like your commitment to having a roof.
guenthert 4y ago
Uh, did the doc mention why the testosterone levels could be low to begin with? Diet / "life style choices" / stress / lack of exercise? At mid 40s simply 'age' isn't all that convincing. What about side / ill effects?
blindmute 4y ago
Testosterone has been declining in the population for decades. The reference levels for "normal" 20 year old now include what were, 60 years ago, levels considered too low for a ~60 year old man. It's not an exaggeration to say that at least a third of men have never experienced a normal hormonal level of testosterone. Testosterone affects nearly everything about the male physical and mental state; not only the stereotypical aggression and lust, but also mental clarity, happiness, even health.
- ivandenysov 4y ago
  That is fascinating. Where can I read more about this subject?
  - blindmute 4y ago
    You can just search for 'american male testosterone decline' to find many articles and studies. For the benefits of testosterone, I'm sure similar articles exist, but I'm speaking from the experience of talking to men who have started TRT.
bjourne 4y ago
But there are also many drawbacks to TRT. Some have speculated that the reason for womens' longevity relative to men is related to lower testosterone levels.

radicalbyte 4y ago

Thanks for posting this - I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. That combined with being totally out of shape (covid + terrible two's).

magicalist 4y ago
> I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. Evidence of testosterone supplementation improving cognitive performance is weak despite many studies. Evidence of sleep associated with cognitive performance is extensive and well documented. The (not that helpful in the moment) good news is that kids get older and will eventually sleep more and more independently.
- hathawsh 4y ago
  Indeed, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With young kids, problems that need an immediate solution are frequent. (When the toilet overflows, you can't just leave it for later.) Now that my kids are a bit older, the problems are more complex, but we generally have more time to work on them. (Kid needs to be convinced to clean their room so they can find their wallet.)
DamnYuppie 4y ago
I would recommend trying to work on diet/exercise before I would go down the TRT path. If you get those squared away and stress at home is reduced and you still are having the same issues then it maybe something to look into.
- pstuart 4y ago
  And quality sleep.
- radicalbyte 4y ago
  That's the plan - I was lifting before we had our youngest (2.5) and fairly fit (dad bod but I was working on it). Last 2.5 years ruined that. Will be happy when I can get back to regular training but for that to happen we need to be over this current period.

300bps 4y ago

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed no decline. I do heavy weight lifting three days per week and burn about 1,000 calories per day with cardio. That seems to be a sweet spot - too little exercise or too much and your testosterone will take a hit. Rubbish diet will not help though either.

sillysaurusx 4y ago
How do you measure testosterone? You make it sound like you just step on a testosterone scale each morning and take note of the value. If that’s the case, I need to get me one.
- teaearlgraycold 4y ago
  You can get home kits. You just give them a couple drops of blood and send it back.
  - 300bps 4y ago
    It's even easier than that - there are even saliva tests: https://www.everlywell.com/products/testosterone-test/ https://www.everlywell.com/products/testosterone-test/ (No affiliation, not an affiliate link)
    - bengy5959 4y ago
      Careful with the Saliva tests. They are much less accurate. I had one done and it said I was way above the normal range. I went to the doctor and had a blood test and it was normal.
- DamnYuppie 4y ago

fnordpiglet 4y ago

You should investigate clomiphene citrate instead of testosterone directly. Clomid mutes the brains response to estrogen, the final feedback product of the testosterone cycle. This causes the body to produce more testosterone in the testes rather than front loading the cycle. The primary impact is your testes continue to function, while testosterone over time will chemically castrate you. This has been in use for 60 or so years but isn’t an FDA approved use of clomid. The primary reason is clomid is cheap to produce and not patented. It’s extremely safe and if you shop around you’ll find a urologist that’s aware of it and will prescribe it - but most urologists get marketing benefits from the rather expensive testosterone replacement products so not all are either aware or are willing to forego the lucrative marketing funds. I switch to this about 10 years ago after starting testosterone for a few months. I wanted to have kids and I was very worried. I researched the biological processes for testosterone and stumbled on clomid as a relatively well known but unmarketed low T therapy. I went to a top urologist at NYU and he ranted about urologists that don’t use clomid. He gave me a prescription and it worked like magic. Two years later I had my first kid. I still take it at a low dose because I feel great. My testosterone levels are high normal range. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182219/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182219/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clomifene (other uses section)

tootie 4y ago
I'm pretty sure the FDA has never denied a drug use application because it's not patentable and that's just a conspiracy theory used by people pushing bogus treatments. If there's peer-reviewed research that it works, it would be prescribed without doctor shopping.
- fnordpiglet 4y ago
  That’s not my point. It’s not patentable so it’s not commercially viable to go through the clinical trials process for something that’s basically free to produce. There is plenty of peer reviewed research, but not all doctors are aware of all research and testosterone replacement is widely marketed with very lucrative contracts to urologists. Feel free to read the research yourself https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Clomiphene+testosterone https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Clomiphene+testostero...

dominotw 4y ago

> I can say that it is a complete game changer! Could this be a placebo effect. I have low testosterone too. I've been doing "natural" ways by changing diet, cardio/weights, sleeping in a lot, trying to have sex regularly. But my numbers just don't seem to budge. I think my only options now are TRT or just accept and make peace with it. If I do TRT, my impression is that you have stay on it for life. I am not sure i am ready for that kind of commitment.

fnordpiglet 4y ago
See my reply above about clomiphene citrate. I had that same worry. While I still take it I could stop at any time and my body will produce testosterone naturally. TRT is castrating and there are medical alternatives that work.
DamnYuppie 4y ago
I 100% feel you as the fear of having to do it forever was a big hold up for me as well. The reality is you can stop whenever you want you will just go back to having less energy etc. Having done it I can see myself doing it until my late 50's at which point I should have the majority of my adventuring done as well as be out of the workforce so I will probably not be too concerned about lack of energy.
- dominotw 4y ago
  >The reality is you can stop whenever you want you will just go back to having less energy etc. I am not sure if you go back to your previous baseline. I know athletes who do this have forever left with way lower testosterone than their previous baseline.
blindmute 4y ago
Once you experience a normal level of testosterone, you would not consider for a moment returning to "baseline". The commitment would be like your commitment to having a roof.

guenthert 4y ago

Uh, did the doc mention why the testosterone levels could be low to begin with? Diet / "life style choices" / stress / lack of exercise? At mid 40s simply 'age' isn't all that convincing. What about side / ill effects?

blindmute 4y ago

Testosterone has been declining in the population for decades. The reference levels for "normal" 20 year old now include what were, 60 years ago, levels considered too low for a ~60 year old man. It's not an exaggeration to say that at least a third of men have never experienced a normal hormonal level of testosterone. Testosterone affects nearly everything about the male physical and mental state; not only the stereotypical aggression and lust, but also mental clarity, happiness, even health.

ivandenysov 4y ago
That is fascinating. Where can I read more about this subject?
- blindmute 4y ago
  You can just search for 'american male testosterone decline' to find many articles and studies. For the benefits of testosterone, I'm sure similar articles exist, but I'm speaking from the experience of talking to men who have started TRT.

bjourne 4y ago

But there are also many drawbacks to TRT. Some have speculated that the reason for womens' longevity relative to men is related to lower testosterone levels.