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Anybody here with Low Testosterone

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Posted 5/7/2014 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello folks,

I did a lot of blood testing lately and it turned out that I have low testosterone (183ng/dl). I never thought of it but after looking at the number and connecting the dots, it probably makes sense.

- I have been gaining weight for almost a year, and losing equal amount of muscle (I attributed this to long, 6 month, course of Prednisone).
- Most likely, I have borderline depression (at the same time, I am pretty stressed for a wide variety of issues).
- I get tired pretty quickly.
- Over the period of last 5 to 6 months, I do not sleep more than 6 hours at night. This used to be exactly 8 hours in the past. My initial suspicion was sleep apnea. As I gained weight, I started snoring.
- It didn't affect my s ex drive, as touted on TV advertisements.

If this persists, I will go to the urologist/endocrinologist, but I am putting it here just in case anyone has similar issues and if there is a remote chance that it is connected to UC or the medications we take. I definitely do not want to pump up testosterone. I am in mid-30s.

Thanks in advance.
Posted 5/7/2014 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Having lower testosterone is just a natural part of the aging process for men, as are wrinkles, and gray hair. All older men have lower testosterone than younger men do; fact. It's not a problem really. But it does make for a catchy advertisement, and has the possibility of selling a lot of pills, or chemical one rubs under their arm.
Posted 5/7/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am in mid-30s. According to the reports, it drops 1% every year after 30. Should it be this low by 35?
Posted 5/7/2014 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
NPR just did a story on this. "testosterone the biggest men's craze since Viagra"

www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/28/305658501/prescription-testosterone-the-biggest-men-s-health-craze-since-viagra-may-be-ris


It was pretty interesting on the industry that is being built out of it. Some people have legitamite reason for testosterone replacement but others are abusing it. They go into talking about the risks involved with replacement for some men.
Posted 5/7/2014 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Delta -

Sorry to hear about this. From my understanding cholesterol is the precursor to testosterone and other sex hormones in the body. What were your cholesterol readings the last time? HDL and LDL-A,B particle sizes are vital and might give some hints.
Posted 5/8/2014 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Delta,

What is the normal range for a 35 yo? It is true our T decreases with time but it is not normal to have low T for your age ever really. If you are low, don't suffer it, get it fixed! There are tons of easy ways they do this nowadays. Gels, patches etc.
herbs and supplements promising to boost T are pure BS, you have to go Rx.
Posted 5/8/2014 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with hypogonadism about two years ago at age 46 by my urologist. My GP wanted to just prescribe me some Viagra once I told him my symptoms but I insisted that I wanted to have a diagnosis as to why I was experiencing the symptoms.

Once I told my urologist that I had UC and had been on prednisone repeatedly over the years he knew exactly what had caused my low testosterone. It was the prednisone. He in fact contacted both my GP and GI to make sure they understood the signs of low testosterone so they could properly care for their other patients that use prednisone.

Here are some sites discussing low testosterone (hypogonadism):

Complications of untreated hypogonadism

A practical guide to male hypogonadism in the primary care setting

Male Menopause

Personally, I find iPoop response appalling and darn near criminal.
Posted 5/8/2014 1:22 PM (GMT 0)

tap said...

Personally, I find iPoop response appalling and darn near criminal.


Oh my tap I think you missunderstand me. I understand people have legitimate needs for low T treatment and that's something a doctor should diagnose as with any condition/disease. However, my beef is with the broad commercials encouraging every ageing guy to request low T treatment, most of which do not have a legitimate need for said drug: as for them it's a natural part of the aging process. It's a fact that guys have lower t as they age. And it seems, to me, like big pharma has a goldmine they are willing to tap. I'm certainly no criminal... can't we all just get along... kumba ya?
Posted 5/8/2014 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Aging men reach a point where they have more estrogen than their wives....prednisone seems to make it worse. In the beginning lifting after pred cycle would result in an injury that would not go way for over a year.
Posted 5/8/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Deltaforce,
your test is very low. Think Old guy eating rice with milk. Whether you like it or not HRT (hormone replacement therapy) may just be the thing for you..

If you do start it you will be feel better. fatigue, gone. energy, up. low grade depression, gone.

And if you're flogging the dolphin often, stop. That will add to the low test too. This is super important. http://www.reddit.com/r/nofap. check out the youtube videos linked there.

Being on HRT is not so bad. Most guys like it.
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