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I went through a major testosterone-related health scare when I was 31 (4 years ago). I was in the midst of launching a startup. Stressed out, financially str
by stevepotter 12y ago
I went through a major testosterone-related health scare when I was 31 (4 years ago). I was in the midst of launching a startup. Stressed out, financially strained, hardly sleeping, hardly exercising, drinking too much. I thought I was eating right but turns out I wasn't. I began feeling like an empty shell of my former self. And yes, it totally affected my sex drive. Went to doc and had blood work done. My test levels were about 200, which would be acceptable had I been 70 years old. I was terrified.
After ruling things out, the doc prescribed me Androgel, a gel-based test delivery system. You rub it on your shoulders and it absorbs in. But you have to be careful to not let it get on other people. I had a baby girl on the way and sat there thinking that I never want to worry about touching my wife or daughter. Plus this wasn't a temporary treatment. You are a slave to it, and pay about $10/day for it. Oh, and it turns out people, especially younger men, have a higher chance of stroke on that stuff. That's no life, so I decided to try and cure it naturally.
And I did. My testosterone is normal now (forget the exact number). And I feel great. It was simple. First, I started strength training. Weights, especially compound moves like squats, will build test levels. And helps with sleep. Check out stronglifts.com if you want a good starting point.
Second I fixed my diet. Check out the book The Perfect Health Diet. I learned I was not eating enough good fat. I started using more olive oil, coconut, ghee (butter), and quality rumen meat. It made a huge difference.
Finally I cut out the stress. The startup ended up not succeeding but that had nothing to do with me deciding to ease up. I'm happy I did and learned a valuable lesson that health comes first.
So there's my story. If you are going to supplement, be prepared for a long bumpy ride. And remember you can boost it naturally.
- throaway2357238 12y agoSecond this. I was prescribed androgel and used it briefly. Another doctor explained the various issues associated with it and and I got off of it immediately. Now I'm working out and eating healthy, and my levels are naturally ~2x higher than they were.
- johnward 12y agoStudies have shown that creams are pretty terrible. Especially if you happen to have thyroid problems. They seem to work at first and then fade out for a lot of people. Shots just simply work and are cheaper.
- JosephBrown 12y agoCan you provide some references? I've been prescribed T and get it via a compounding pharmacy in liposome cream form, so now I'm curious if it's actually worth it.
- johnward 12y agoI'll try to find the ones I was referring to. In general absorption rate on the skin is poor. From experience weekly shots are much better for me.
- slantyyz 12y agoI'm on TRT for life as a result of having testicular cancer twice. There are pros and cons to the various types of testosterone you could take. I'm using Androgel. From what I remember when researching my options in 2007 (things have possibly changed a lot since then): Monthly shots -- the thing with shots is that your levels go up right after you get your shot and slowly taper off. It's possible that your moods are a little off at the beginning and then you mellow out again by the time you need your next shot. Your options are to have a doctor do it for you or self-administer. Having developed an aversion to needles after my first bout of cancer, I kinda ruled this out quickly, even though it probably is cheap and effective. Pills - easy but apparently not very good for your liver long term Gel/Cream -- you have to worry about keeping your hands clean and physical contact, but it maintains your levels consistently since you're putting it on daily. It's admittedly inconvenient but works for me.
- johnward 12y agoI took weekly shots at 100mg. Cypionate is usually prescribed in the US. Enthate everywhere else. Monthly is way too long. Most doctors recommend every two weeks. However, there was a new report (http://rd.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-72185-4_11 http://rd.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-72185-4_11) that shows the half life (http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/articles/article-steroid-half-life.aspx http://www.muscletalk.co.uk/articles/article-steroid-half-li...) of which they thought was closer to 12 days is actually something like 8. So at the end of the second week you're likely to start feel physical effects again (I know I do). Let me see if I can find it. Orals shouldn't be considered.
- wavegeek 12y ago> My test levels were about 200, which would be acceptable had I been 70 years old. This is a myth. 200 is low for a healthy 70 year old. Without disease or T-killing medications, T levels fall very slowly with age alone.