This morning I am going in to have blood drawn for a variety of things, but I requested that my doctor check my testosterone level so at the age of 44, I could start T - Therapy as soon as possible if necessary.
If I do start taking testosterone as a replacement for what I have lost, I’m assuming this will mean I will have to start over on my sweet spot testing as thing will change, whether drastically or just a bit.
Either way, I’m interested in the outcome in the hopes that some of the fatigue and moodiness I have experienced is because of Low T and not just because I’m a lazy asshole…LOL
Tried something from the health food store. Altered my diet to include all kinds of things like bok choi, almonds etc. I honestly don’t know if they had an effect.
I was thinking of doing the same. However, after doing some research, I discovered that the Hypothalamus has a negative feedback loop; when Estrogen levels reach a certain point it shuts off natural production of T. As Cholesterol is building block of T and mine is extremely high, I was looking for a natural way to increase T and lower Cholesterol. While, I have not yet discussed this with my Dr, I have started using supplements body builders use to naturally increase my T production by lowering Estrogen.
Gent - can you elaborate a little more about what made you concerned about T-levels?
This is also something I’ve been wondering on for a while. However I do have another long-term (but under control) health issue that may also account for my concerns.
Well, it’s somewhat of a long story. However, it initially started with me questioning what the body used cholestrol for; like I said mines off the chart. I found that the body converts cholestrol into T. The more cholestrol lower drugs I consumed the lower my sex drive became. Knowing that adding a supplemental T, would then only make my cholestrol worse, I researched some more.
Deep inside the brain is what I read to be described as the primale or hormone controller called the Hypothalamus. The function is to regulate the hormones LH and, hmmm FSH; I think. Anyway, LH is received by the Pituitary which then signals the testes to produce T. In men a certain amount of T is converted to Estrogen. When some internal prescribed level of Estrogen is reached, it triggers the Hypothalamus to stop producing the hormones, LH and FSH, which in turn shuts down production of T.
Keep in mind, I haven’t confirmed my lay man’s understanding with a doctor’s education, I plan to soon. They want to give me an even stronger statin, so in my case and logic, I have all this cholestrol that’s not being used the way it use to be and statins have seem to have lowered sex drive significantly, although I don’t have a T base line or before and after statins of T levels.
Hope this helps, but ask someone that has specialized in the human body and not computer science.
Jeff
Thanks - That has given me something to think about.
What statin are you on? If you don’t mind my asking.
I have had periods of high cholesterol, although for the last few years, a statin, good diet, more or less stopping smoking (except socially) and regular exercise is maintaining things nicely at a bit below normal.
I must say that I’ve not had a problem with statins and sex drive, although I have had other side effects in the past. The concern there came from other drugs and possibly my medical condition. However, stopping one of the other drugs a good few months back seemed to sort that nicely.
The psychological aspect also concerns me as this on/off/on thing with Sport/Smart girl and the tumult associated with that may also be taking its toll?
Cholesterol isn’t converted into test so much as it’s a needed component to making it. If you’re in a stage where your body is in a testosterone producing frenzy like puberty the choleSTEROL in a couple of whole eggs is a sufficient for that. You’re pretty spot on as far as how the feedback loop works though. The lower libido is more than likely a side effect of lower blood pressure effecting the bodies ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
There are anti estrogenic drugs and supplements available that many body builders use toward the end of a steroid cycle in order to stimulate the testes to start normal testosterone production again.
If it’s not done this is why most bodybuilders will go through periods of impotence at the end of a cycle…test production is almost totally shut down in the wake of their time spent with inhuman levels circulating in their systems.
Over the counter substances that act as anti estrogens include Indole-3-Carbinol and the plant flavone Chrysin. Avoid soy products including protein supplements that include Soy protein along with the Whey and Casein. The minerals Zinc and Magnesium are essential for healthy T levels as well. T-nation supplements has some substances that are quite effective for lowering est and raising test. Rez-V for anti estrogen, ZMA for testosterone support and Alpha Male for actually stimulating the FSH and LH. In conjunction with the diet and exercise program in the Testosterone Advantage plan a guy could get the levels of the big T up to when he was a randy 18 year old. If you want to try the TA plan I suggest ordering it direct from their site. The book is a 9 week program but the one on their webite has a bonus 9 week advanced program for a second stage that’s not included in the amazon version.
The gentlemen do you work out? For example resistance training. Lifting weight whether it be your own body weight or free weights causes a natural reaction in the body that causes the body to produce more T and HGH. The more muscle mass one hass the more T the individual will produce. This can be a major factor in T production but also genetics and family heritage and diet also play a role. But before you start a weight regimen talk with your doctor to make sure you are able to exercise. I hoe I was helpful and If any of the things that I said were wrong someone please correct me.
Thank you for an interesting response. I had no idea the AlphaMale product could stimulate my own body; was interested in stimulating hers. Yes, I agree one of the major uses of Cholesterol in the body is in the production T; it’s complex system. Statins seem like a cockeyed philosophy of most of orthodox medicine. Poisoning the liver to prevent the effect of increasing cholesterol while leaving the possible cause; high insulin, unaddressed does not make any sense. Statins inhibit the enzyme HMG CoA reductase, which is also responsible for the synthesis of testosterone and other intrinsic anabolic hormones. So, in my case at least it’s not so much ED, but a substantial decrease in sexual desire; ED is probably next, if I leave this unchecked.
So my goal is to get my body to use more Cholesterol to produce more T and the natually occuring Pheromones and get off of statins. What I’ve done my own; withou Dr, is to implement a no simple carb diet, with the following supplements:
I may be interested in the “Testosterone Advantage Plan” you’ve mentioned. I did a quick search and came up empty though, where to find information TA Plan?. I say maybe, because I need have a complete blood work done, which includes the following:
Major hormones:
Testosterone
Free testosterone
IGF-1
Estradiol
DHEA/DHEA-s
Full thyroid panel
Insulin
Liver function tests
Alkaline phosphatase
GGT
SGOT
SGPT
Major kidney function tests
creatinine
BUN
creatnine/BUN ratio
I started working out only 6 months ago. Every other day weight resistance; 3 sets of weight I can only lift 5 repetions. To wit no visible or noticable change in appearance or drive…
Are you changing your exercises?repetition scheme? How long are your work outs? Instead of working out every other day go 3 days a week. Especially for your heavy lifts and your hypertrophy workouts. Chances are you may have plateaued. As for not seeing any gains that comes down to diet and rest. Muscles are made in the kitchen. Rest and recovery is key to building muscle. Take this as an example if you are going run a race car at a 100 percent all the time what happens? It breaks down. There needs to be care and consideration taken into account. Your body is a finely tunes machine. If you put water in a gas tank and try to run a gasoline petroleum based car on water it won’t run. Same with your body if you don’t give it the nutrients and right amount of protien you won’t get results. I would recommend picking up p90x or insanity, new or used it’s up to you. But both have good nutrition and workout breakdowns. I have done both and P90x is more of a beginners and Insanity is more of a let’s get cut in 60 days kinda deal.
I wouldn’t say P90x is a beginners work out so much. Its just different from Insanity. You need to be somewhat in shape before starting either one as your gonna die the first few weeks. P90x is more overall fitness where as Insanity is mostly cardio and focuses on stripping off fat. Both are challenging in different ways, and both are very effective if done right. I have personally only done (most of) P90x, but have friends that have done insanity. I never followed their diet plans because I have a pretty good grasp on that aspect myself.
Well, check out my reply on page 2. While it doesn’t specifically answer which statin; as they all work pretty much the same, I’ think it will give some more food for thought
P90x got my vertical jump back to 36 inches and well insanity got me my 8 pack. I am fortunate to be able to lose fat very fast. But once you get that six pack women just flock to you. I have women just randomly lift my shirt up and ask for my number sometimes moons make it too easy.
Jabez, currently I am only doing cardio. I have not been lifting any weights but I am planning on getting myself back on the wagon. I do have a copy of P90X, I can’t say that, that is a beginners workout because man, I’ve tried a couple of the routines there and wow, they are tough.
I used to weigh 340, I currently weight roughly 225 but some of that is excess skin. I am down from a 4x almost 5xl to a 1xl, size 50 pants to 34’s, sizes I couldn’t ever wear when I was around 200 in my younger days.
I have read, and I can’t cite this with 100% accuracy, but cardio tends to increase estrogen production, which probably doesn’t help my case.
I also have said a number of times here that I am one of those hairless guys, barely any on my legs, none on my arm, whereas both brothers have a lot of hair. So I don’t think I produce a lot of testosterone anyway.
I would love to increase it naturally, and I have now purchased the book Rad mentioned off of Amazon for only $10.88 with free shipping using my Amazon Prime.
I will definitely take a look at all my options. We have an amazing gym here and I will see what I can do to improve my health, increase my testosterone levels and use that new found energy for good use.
Hit those weights, it’ll help you get rid off fat quicker when you combine it with cardio. More muscle mass means you burn more calories when working out
Great work on losing all that weight, that is in no way an easy task. Maca is a really good supplement for regulating hormones, so that may be worth a shot for you.
