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Low T

2,790 Views | 19 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Dave Robicheaux
aglaes
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AG
What's the deal with all the radio ads for low T centers? Is every guy over 40 getting testosterone boost these days? Are there any long term negative effects?

If you've done it, would you recommend it and why or why not?
Seven Costanza
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AG
Quote:

Are there any long term negative effects?


Increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Increased risk of prostate cancer and/or general prostate issues.
Hoosegow
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Dont forget liver issues, shrinking of the testicles.
Class of '94
RockOn
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Yea but you stand a better chance of getting on the extended podium of the 50-55 age group at your local triathlon. Go big or go home, right?
OregonAggie
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AG
Seven Costanza said:

Quote:

Are there any long term negative effects?


Increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Increased risk of prostate cancer and/or general prostate issues.


Where's the studies that prove increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or prostate cancer? There's no clonclusive eveidence of those claims to my knowledge. I agree on other prostate issues though.

Infertility is one long term negative effect but that depends on the patient really. I wouldn't care about it since I don't plan on having kids. Your body will also stop producing as much testosterone so you'll be only using exogenous testosterone.

Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, if that were the case, would have more to do with lack of lab testing for hemoglobin and hematocrit that occurred 10 years ago. Most practitioners now run the correct lab tests or just simply won't treat patients for low T.


ramblin_ag02
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AG
Quote:

What's the deal with all the radio ads for low T centers? Is every guy over 40 getting testosterone boost these days?
I think two things are driving this, and they are related. First, body fat converts testosterone into estrogen. So if you are obese, then you're probably going to have a low testosterone level. Second, testosterone is supposed to help men with low libido, sexual dysfunction, "low energy", fatigue, and weakness. Often times these men are not exercising at all and eating a terrible diet.

So basically the same thing causes both issues. Eating terrible food in huge quantities and not exercising causes obesity, "low energy", fatigue, weakness, and libido issues. Then they get their testerone tested and it's low due to obesity. So people start taking testosterone thinking it will fix their problem when really a healthy diet and some physical activity would do the trick. Obviously this isn't everyone, but in my experiece it's the overwhelming majority
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
Seven Costanza
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AG
Looks like you are correct.
OregonAggie
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AG
Hoosegow said:

Dont forget liver issues, shrinking of the testicles.


Yes on shrinking testicles. Liver toxicity issues were seen with oral testosterone years ago and those products are no longer on the market. Current products have not had issues with the liver because they aren't metabolized through the liver like a oral med.

I forgot to respond to this earlier.
Hoosegow
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Thanks Oregon Ag. I did a little research myself to confirm what you wrote. I did not realize the latest conclusions were that TRT did not increase liver issues and CV events.
Class of '94
Cancelled
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AG
It's so strange that increasing T would cause shrinking of testicles. You would think it would be the complete opposite.
OregonAggie
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AG
Hoosegow said:

Thanks Oregon Ag. I did a little research myself to confirm what you wrote. I did not realize the latest conclusions were that TRT did not increase liver issues and CV events.


I should clarify that I'm not saying it 100% does not impact CV events. We just simply don't know because there isn't conclusive evidence either way. It's one of those topics that you can look up information with preconceived notions and bolster your opinions either way. I will say that I feel there's more evidence to show it does not impact CV events and it damn well doesn't cause prostate cancer. It will flame up existing prostate cancer but does not cause it.

OregonAggie
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AG
queso1 said:

It's so strange that increasing T would cause shrinking of testicles. You would think it would be the complete opposite.


When you add exogenous testosterone to the body, your body stops producing it's endogeonous testosterone in the testes so they get smaller. It's similar to not working out and having muscles get smaller. Your testes won't be making sperm or testosterone due to the testosterone you're putting in, which means they're not really working at all.

You can think of the whole system like the A/C at your house.

-Testes make testosterone
-hypothalamus releases GNRH to the pituitary
-pituitary releases hormones that then tell the testes to produce sperm and testosterone.

The testes, hypothalamus, and pituitary regulate the system based on what the others are telling them....thus increasing the testosterone eventually reduces workload in the testes and your balls shrink!

Hoosegow
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Perhaps the proper term is preponderance of evidence...
Class of '94
monarch
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S
Of course, if you have prostate cancer surgery, a lot of your parts get effected and change shape...
Cliff Booth
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AG
On the topic of fertility...

This can be restored by stopping TRT and starting on clomid and HCG. Kickstarts your natural testosterone production as well as SFH and LH.
OregonAggie
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AG
That can work but it doesn't always. The longer you're on TRT, the lower the chance gets of getting fertility back.


Using both at the same time from the beginning can definitely work to increase Testosterone and maintain fertility.

I had a buddy that had low T at 30 years old and had no kids yet. His doc put him on T and I told him about the fertility issues but he believed his doc that didn't think it was a big deal...3 years later when they wanted to have kids, a fertility specialist told him that his old doc screwed him over because they couldn't get his testes to produce sperm anymore.

Aggie Pharmer
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AG
If you think you have low T, go to a real urologist and get checked out. There are things they can try before putting you on the hormones, like clomiphene. Mine wasn't super low, in the mid-to-High 400's. Put me in clomiphene and I was in the mid-700's.

For reference, I was 42-43 at the time.
Counterpoint
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AG
OregonAggie said:



Your testes won't be making sperm or testosterone due to the testosterone you're putting in, which means they're not really working at all.




So do you end up with basically the same amount of T either way?
chaca5151
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I'm currently taking LT shots a low sperm count was one of the side effects but since my wife cant have another kid it was no biggie.

My reason wasnt because of the sex part but more because I was just tired and moody a lot. I could tell I wasnt building much muscle anymore and I did gain weight. Before you say I'm a fat ass I've run 7 half marathons, 3 sprint triathalons and about 100 5ks. I've been for the past 3 months working out at a place called Heat bootcamp and I'm finally feeling like I'm making gains. I've been on LT for 4 weeks now and my energy is awesome.
Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person might tell you I have an amazing beautiful soul. Another might tell you I’m a cold-hearted a$$^ole. Believe them both. I don’t treat people badly. I treat them accordingly - unknown
OregonAggie
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AG
Counterpoint said:

OregonAggie said:



Your testes won't be making sperm or testosterone due to the testosterone you're putting in, which means they're not really working at all.




So do you end up with basically the same amount of T either way?


It depends. If you have labs showing low levels of T, then the products they put you on will probably overcome your lack of production. If you're at say 400-500 and get on therapy, depending on what that therapy is, you may get a boost for a bit but then end up where you started. 400-500 isn't technically low so this is just an example.

A low dose of a testosterone gel with 300-400 as a starting point might result in very little improvements.
Same goes for a lower dose of injectable testosterone.

Most physicians will shoot for a goal of some kind, many shoot for at least 700 or so and will dose you accordingly. That's achievable pretty easily with injections, compounded gels, or pellets.
Dave Robicheaux
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AG
If your levels are close to within normal values you can fix it by diet and nutrition.

I would talk to your endocrinologist before taking exogenous testosterone. there are side effects which include your body not producing testosterone naturally after long term exogenous use.
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