Posts: 77
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
8
Testosterone test results/advice
03-23-2017, 06:24 AM
Background: I'm 35, recently married, overweight (6'2", 115kg).
For a few years I've felt tired all the time, almost zero libido, irritable etc. I've suspected low test for a while but only got tested a week ago.
Got my results back from the lab and not sure how to interpret them.
-From what I understand test can be measured as "free" or "total". My result doesn't say which, am I right in assuming it would be total?
-My doctor says it's normal, and couldn't be the cause of low libido. The reference range is 9-38 nmol/L and mine is 10.5 nmol/L. Seems low to me, is he BS'ing me?
-I'm sure being fat isn't helping, but I just feel too exhausted to work out most of the time (I work long hours too). Would I be right in thinking it would be better to get TRT and bump my test up to have more energy to work out, than to try to struggle through workouts in the hope of getting into better shape naturally first?
-Is there anyone in New Zealand who can advise a good place to get prescribed TRT?
-If I did start on test, are the creams effective, or should I insist on injections?
I know these are very basic questions, but the information online is very conflicting or vague in a lot of cases. What say you, RVF?
Posts: 950
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2016
Reputation:
39
Testosterone test results/advice
03-23-2017, 09:34 AM
You are over estimating the ability of test to give you more energy.
It's not magic.
What is your current diet and sleep like? Water intake? Alcohol?
There's a lot to look at before you decide that a life decision is your best bet just to feel more energetic.
Posts: 715
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2016
Reputation:
14
Testosterone test results/advice
03-23-2017, 04:43 PM
I was in a similar situation as you in my early '40s. I got fat after having being injured in a accident seriously reduced my activity level. I was also drinking too much. My libido and overall energy levels cratered. I had the symptoms of low T / elevated estrogen levels. I got myself in what I refer to as the 'estrogen trap': Hard to lose weight and exercise because your T levels are low, but you can't raise your T levels unless you exercise.
I fixed the situation doing the following in addition to the weight training and cardio:
Diet change
Supplements
Diet:
Went on a ketogenic diet (see the keto diet thread for more details). It took 6 weeks to get adapted to the diet (which was uncomfortable). Once adapted, I have dropped about 30 lbs of fat since June and the workouts go easier. I got 17 to 20 more lbs to go to hit my fat % target. The weight loss was the biggest factor in improving my moods and energy levels. I drink less also, but the keto diet had a much bigger effect than reducing the booze.
Supplements:
When we get older, we sometimes don't get everything we need for food. Get your vitamin D levels checked. Low D levels are very common today. Low D levels cause all sorts of issues with energy levels. These are the important ones I take, which are in addition to a good men's multivitamin:
Pantethine which is a form of B-5 (450 mg x2 per day) - Originally took this because my cholesterol levels were bad. It reduced my LDL (before weight loss) but also had dramatic positive effects on my workouts. Turns out it improves renal function in some people as well.
Magnesium (magnesium malate) and Zinc (with copper) - recommended by my doctor to increase sperm count (wife & I were trying for a kid).
Vitamin C - 1000 mg - Also recommended by the doc for anti-oxidant properties.
Vitamin D - 5000 IU
D-Aspartic Acid - This is to help raise T levels. I only found 2 studies on its effects. One showed positive effects in old fart couch potatoes. Another showed no effects with young healthy guys. I found it to be positive for me since at the time I was more of the former than the latter.
Pregnenolone - I take no more than 20 mg per day. This acts as a building block for testosterone.
Progesterone cream - In small doses when used by men, it acts as an estrogen blocker. it had a positive effect within one day of using it.
Since doing the above (with weight training) my T levels tests were good. Sperm count (I was at the low end of the normal range) increased 250% with corresponding increases in quality (got more good swimmers). I took this as evidence that my body was working better and it was not just all in my head. In my weighting training, I have doubled the amount I can lift in some exercises (investing in a squat rack soon).
Posts: 1,514
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2014
Reputation:
26
Testosterone test results/advice
03-23-2017, 05:22 PM
I actually tested over the normal threshold a couple weeks ago and my doctor is sending me back for a follow up blood test.
"Money over bitches, nigga stick to the script." - Jay-Z
They gonna love me for my ambition.
Posts: 77
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
8
Testosterone test results/advice
03-24-2017, 08:36 PM
Thanks for the honest feedback guys. I knew I could rely on RVF not to sugarcoat things.
I'm not going to lie, at first I was thinking like a petulant child "Why won't these arseholes just tell me to go get TRT? Can't they see how low my test is? MikeCF's article says I need it!".
After considering it, yes I am aware that more test isn't a magic bullet and that I will have to work like mad to achieve the body I want.
The libido thing was my (my wife's) main concern.
I basically would be perfectly happy to only bang twice a year. I just don't care about it like I used to when I was younger. Which seems crazy, but that's how it is at the moment. I never wake up with an erection any more either, although I'm perfectly capable of getting one.
Anyway, I confess I rarely go to the gym, when I do I usually just do 20 minutes either on the treadmill or crosstrainer, then 40 minutes using the bicep curl, fly and abdominal crunch machines. They do have free weights, but I wouldn't even know where to begin there.
Diet isn't great could be a lot worse. I get up about 6:30ish, skip breakfast and am at work by 7:30 until usually 5-5:30 with half an hour for lunch. Saturdays it's 9-12. I eat mostly at morning break, usually leftovers from dinner or a piece of pizza or something similar from the market across the road + at least an apple and a banana. I just have espresso coffee for lunch to save time, and another couple of apples or bananas. If I have an afternoon break (rarely) I'll have a snack then too. Or a Red Bull. Lately it's been 2 Red Bulls a day - I get terrible sugar cravings, although I quit all sugar for a year before falling off the wagon again.
Dinner could be anything (wife usually cooks), usually it's delicious but full of carbs. When I cook it's usually a curry with chicken, brown rice and vegetables.
I rarely drink (maybe a few drinks once or twice a month), don't smoke, no drugs either.
I also do a shot of Bragg's ACV every night. I definitely feel worse if I don't.
I'm usually asleep by 11:30-12am, I'd like more sleep ideally, but I feel like I have so much to do after work that it rarely happens.
I'm actually going back to the gym today, so any suggestions or constructive criticism will be noted and acted upon. I'm really over feeling like crap every day.
Posts: 1,258
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2015
Testosterone test results/advice
03-24-2017, 09:10 PM
Here's my own experience with testosterone I posted in another thread. And I agree with the others, if you're not fit and working out, then that's your best bet to try first. Being overweight raises your blood pressure considerably and high BP fucks with all sorts of shit in a man, especially libido.
thread-28966...pid1515960
I was reasonably in shape when I tried this product, and I felt so goddamn amazing. I love the stuff.