Fifty Plus (50+) - Testosterone Therapy

I wanted to share an experience i have been undergoing for several months. It all started last summer when i would go into the doctors office to find out the results of the blood work i had just had done. I take statins 20 mg for high LDL. My high level LDL was 144 and is now down to 88. So the quarterly blood checks are a matter of life's routien now.
At each quarterly visit the doctor would ask me some very personal questions concerning possible side effects of the statins? Questions concerning how i felt about my libido!--- WHAT ! i would ask . What does that have to do with the issue at hand. He commented that sometimes statins can have an effect on the male libido. (suppression here of) Well at 69 yrs of age my libido wasn't of any concern SO I THOUGHT.
When i got home after one of the office visits i began to do some thinking on the matter rather seriously.
I began to wonder if my testosterone was LOW then maybe i should have it check along with the other requirements of the blood analysis. After searching the internet and finding out what the " normal" range should be i was most interested to find out what my levels were. Fast forward another quarter and the blood test did definately show i did have low testosterone readings.
Now is where the fun began. My comment to the doctor was " how do i get it up" ( the levels of course) He explained to me that most men begin to loose testostrone production by their early 30's! As we age we have less and less production as a natural accuring event of ageing. As an avid cyclist i always sought training and nutrition as a means of physical conditioning with only moderate results. I always had the feeling i needed " somthing else" to give me a kick.
I discussed my feelings with my doctor about my need for " that little edge" i just could never find.
Because of my very good health he would consider putting me on a testostrone therapy treatment. He was very very emphatic that i " stick to the rules" he was about to explain. Because of the possible side effects of this type of treatment there were serious side efects that could take place if rules were not followed.
I began the treatments ( an application of a compounded perscription cream to the inside of my left bicip area ) in early Nov 2010. Within a few days i could tell a different feling was taking place. Testostrone is a " feel good " natural high. As the therapy continued and i was forced into my winter indoor training mode i began to really take notice of how much more enthused i was about going to the fitness center. After normal training routiens i felt better and had no residual soreness the next day. As the days and weeks went by i was feeling absolutely fantastic! My strength was increasing gradually and i was able to train with increased intensity .
The last quarterly blood test has shown my testosterone level to have doubled. I'm very pleased with the results of the thearpy and will continue for the foreseeable future.
My testostrone levels are only within a " normal acceptable level" to where they should be . I share my experience with you for the sole purpose of information only. If you should find this interesting enough to get yourself tested you may also find you are deficient and age is taking away some of your potential.
This treatment has given me a whole new lease on " better physical conditioning and how i feel about my self ".

Visit the internet and search Testostrone Therapy --------- may be the best thing you could do for yourself!:thumb:

What is Low Testosterone?

http://men.webmd.com/features/low-testosterone-explained-how-do-you-know-when-levels-are-too-low

Increase Testosterone Levels

http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-testosterone-levels-a35328



Here’s how to raise the male hormone testosterone levels naturally.



Read more at Suite101: Increase Testosterone Levels: Here’s how to raise the male hormone testosterone levels naturally. (http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-testosterone-levels-a35328#ixzz1Dl5pn7Lu) http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-testosterone-levels-a35328#ixzz1Dl5pn7Lu (http://www.suite101.com/content/boost-your-testosterone-levels-a35328#ixzz1Dl5pn7Lu)

I've been on treatment for years. Without it, my level is 100-150, less than half the amount that would be considered 'low.' With it, I see a slight improvement in post-exercise soreness and recovery times, and the world seems a little bit 'brighter.' It's too bad that one side effect of low T can't be to stop growing hair in places I don't want to grow it!

[QUOTE=BlazingPedals;12214856]I've been on treatment for years. Without it, my level is 100-150, less than half the amount that would be considered 'low.' With it, I see a slight improvement in post-exercise soreness and recovery times, and the world seems a little bit 'brighter.'

John,
You have it figured out -- right on!

I'm getting checked at my next physical... thanks for the post.

Any side effects any of you have seen?

Guys, this stuff is a wonder drug...low testosterone dumped in into clinical depression, and I gained about 50 pounds over the course of a year. My wife finally threatened to kick my butt around the room if I didn't get it checked out. I saw my G.P. and he put me on anti-depressants and ran some blood tests, I got a call back from him about a week later and told that I could stop taking the ADs, that they knew what my problem was. He put me on topical testosterone and it was a freaken miracle, in under a week I was back to normal, started dropping the weight and putting muscle back on.

As far as side effects, does having sex two or three times a day qualify???

As far as side effects, does having sex two or three times a day qualify???
If it lasts more than four hours, seek medical attention..............................

I am burning rubber on my way to the medical center as we speak! :D

The way this thread is going, I'm not even going to open the "Did you ride today thread".:lol:

Any side effects any of you have seen?

There are a couple of side efects i noticed after a few days.

(1) As warned before application of testostrone cream -- your breast and nipples can become enlarged and tender. This only lasted for a few weeks and my body seemed to adjust quite well. No longer have any issues now ( 5 mo's later)

(2) urinating can be " different" -- sometimes not a good even flow, start and stopping. This too went away after a few weeks.

(3) as previously mentioned - increased hair growth. I did not experience this at all to date.

(4) If having an erection early in the a.m. as you awake after a nights sleep isn't a problem for you then i guess you won't be surprised when it happens.

As i mentioned the KEY to this thearpy is talking to your doctor. Blood checks to monitor Testostrone levels and there a a few other elements in the blood that must be watched is most important. The SOLE purpose of this thearpy SHOULD BE --- regaining a Normal Testosterone level. All you want to do is have a level that you and the doctor agree is right for you. PERIOD!!!!
From approx. age 35 you loose 0.3% each year of your normal testosterone production. Think about how " great you felt at age 35! Fast forward to where you are now.No wonder those " young bucks" can go hard, strong and have great stanima. These cycling forums always talk about the young riders, how strong they are and how they can develope some serious watts of power--- i wonder why!

If you choose to have thearpy and do it under a doctors observation all you are asking for is to be " normal"-----LOL

Interesting that this comes up as my doctor and I have been talking about "T" and I am getting blood drawn Tuesday. He seems to think It may be part of the reason that my max. sustainable HR. has dropped. We know part of the reason was my thyroid level, but I can't seem to get it all the way back to last years #s. It will be interesting to see if, or how much it has to do with HR. My heart specialist is actually the one that came up with the idea.

As far as side effects, does having sex two or three times a day qualify???

Even more impressive if someone else was in the room with you.

Floyd Landis tested positive for artificial testosterone didn't he?

That is what they claim the positive was for in the TdF, but to this day he swears he didn't do it, even while admitting to everything else he was doing.

Any side effects any of you have seen?

Blood clots.

Since TWL is not here to say it...

DOPERS!

Even more impressive if someone else was in the room with you.

I'm talking about in addition to that. :lol:

About 12 years ago I had a rather large pituitary tumor. I had surgery followed by radiation a few years later. The radiation pretty much took out the tumor along the Pit gland itself. Slowly, my endocrinal systems began to shut down. Testosterone stopped first, later thyroid, ACTH and finally about 3 years ago my adrenal glands went on strike, no longer giving me any adrenalin or cosrtisone.

That last one was the big whammy. I almost died from it, until a competent endocrinologist figured out what should have been obvious to my primary care doctor and all the doctors at the hospitals I was admitted into. He said I was the second worst off patient he has ever had. Your adrenal gland is the only one you cannot live without.

Shots and pills everyday , and I now feel normal and now feel good and can't wait for the weather to get to bicycling temps!

Anyway as John Astin said in Night Court, "I feel much better now."

Anyway as John Astin said in Night Court, "I feel much better now."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz-tBU6_L0
:D

There's almost no drug without some major side effects... but... does one want to go out with a whimper or a bang?

Doper, that's me! But I have a prescription, just like the 40% of the peloton that has a prescription for albuterol for 'asthma.' Yeah.

What I use is gel. It's alcohol-based, jut like that hand sanitizer stuff. Regarding Floyd, if he got a massage after a stage or during the rest day, the masseur could have easily used T-gel instead of some other alcohol-based rub, and Floyd would never know it. True or not, I'm not going to guess, but it's possible.

There's almost no drug without some major side effects... but... does one want to go out with a whimper or a bang?

I want to die like my grandfather, peacefully in my sleep, not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.

If it lasts more than four hours, seek medical attention..............................

http://www.newsofap.com/uploaded_files/news_img/newsofap.com4c51a733ac6cbHot_Sexy_Nurse.jpg

Indeed!!!!

3 hrs, 58 min... and counting!

This thread inspired me to ask my doc to check my "T."
I'm almost hoping it's low so I can then feel better by getting it adjusted.
Test was today. Waiting for results.

I guess if I'm normal I could always go down to the local gym and see what they prescribe.

I've looked into it a bit, and decided against it. Adding testosterone increases the risk of prostate cancer. Both my father and his brother, my uncle, have prostate cancer. Another uncle, my mother's brother in law, died of prostate cancer this fall. I would love something to improve recovery time, but I don't think testosterone cream is the answer.

I've looked into it a bit, and decided against it. Adding testosterone increases the risk of prostate cancer. Both my father and his brother, my uncle, have prostate cancer. Another uncle, my mother's brother in law, died of prostate cancer this fall. I would love something to improve recovery time, but I don't think testosterone cream is the answer.
My doc says I'm normal for my age. What you tryin to say doc? However back to the discussion. Kerlenbach, have you heard of bio-identical harmones? Anyone?

I guess if I'm normal I could always go down to the local gym and see what they prescribe.

Testosterone? Try squats, deadlifts, and lower body work. Your wife will thank you.

Harmone replacement therapy.....not to be messed with IMHO. I am personally of the opinion that messing with harmones whether male of female is to ratchet up your cancer risk about forty-two notches.

Have any of you tried riding your bikes with a hard-on? I mean, even the best of Brooks saddles won't make that any more comfortable.

Have any of you tried riding your bikes with a hard-on? I mean, even the best of Brooks saddles won't make that any more comfortable.

So exactly where are you riding your bike?
We need to know where the scenery is *that* good!:D

So exactly where are you riding your bike?
We need to know where the scenery is *that* good!:D

I used to enjoy the sights spinning around the lakes at Wash Park in Denver. In the summertime, there's a lot of good stuff up around Dillon and Breckenridge. Just saying...

I do most of my ogling on the Broadway bike path along UC Boulder.
I've fallen in lust many times there.:)

Have any of you tried riding your bikes with a hard-on? I mean, even the best of Brooks saddles won't make that any more comfortable.
You belong over with the Fred's-- Get a life. We don't need your kind over here!

You belong over with the Fred's-- Get a life. We don't need your kind over here!

AH-HA! Here's a real candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. Doc - we have an emergency case over here!
:)

This thread helped me identify a potential solution to problems I've been experiencing for at least three years. One of the things I learned through researching the subject is that "normal" total testosterone test levels for men are typically identified as a range of 250 - 850 ng/dl. Interestingly, this is the reference range for men between 20 and 100! Also, this is for a statistically accurate reference group - thereby including ALL ranges of health for the individual members of the group - that is to say healthy and unhealthy subjects.

So.....while my TT level of 423 is within "normal" range overall, the average for my age group is 552. Again, while 423 is in "normal" range, statistically it is closer to the average for an 80 year old man! Even more importantly, the 95% percentile of my age group is 866 (I'm 55)! So, armed with the symptoms I have been experiencing (yeah, pretty much all of them) and this informaton, I will make the argument with my physician that I want to be closer to the 95th percentile for my age group - not the 20th percentile. As I am in good health, I anticipate that the doctor will work with me to ratchet up my number. While I am usually one who doesn't like to jump on the medication bandwagon quickly, I see very promising possibilities to improve my life in many ways through T therapy.

Here's a link to the statistical data that I reference above, and it identifies the study from which it was drawn. It appears that the clinical study included almost 1,800 men ages 20 to 100.

http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/normal-testosterone-levels-in-men.html

Thanks again to the OP for helping me to get started on this journey. It truly has the potential to be a life saver.

Todd - I've also thought a lot about this thread since it came up. I posted earlier that both my father and his brother, my uncle, have prostate cancer, and that another uncle (not a blood relative) recently died from it. What I didn't mention is that one of the last things the doctors tried before his death was removing his testicles to radically lower his testosterone level. That might have bought him a little time.
On the other hand, he was about 80, and I'm 54. I've beaten stage 4 colon cancer, and I fully understand the concept of cancer prevention. But as I sit here feeling whipped after a 130-mile week, I'm thinking, "Damn, I could sure use something to help recover better." Six months of T can't hurt, can it?

Any side effects any of you have seen?

Andropause, or low testosterone is a serios condition that affects quality of life. Testo replacement therapy, however. may lead to increase risk of heart attack and increased risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone is a powerful chemical and anyone using testo replacement therapy needs to be checked on a regular basis. This is especially true for the over 50 crowd.

http://www.andropausespecialist.com/negative-effects.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3475829/ns/health-sexual_health/

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/testosterone_replacement_therapy/hic_testosterone_replacement_therapy.aspx

Many of the symptoms of low testosterone can be dealt with by changing diet (stay away from soy-based products), exercise and weight loss. Being overweight is a HUGE no-no if you wish to improve testo levels.

Be healthy, be safe, be well.

This thread helped me identify a potential solution to problems I've been experiencing for at least three years. One of the things I learned through researching the subject is that "normal" total testosterone test levels for men are typically identified as a range of 250 - 850 ng/dl. Interestingly, this is the reference range for men between 20 and 100! Also, this is for a statistically accurate reference group - thereby including ALL ranges of health for the individual members of the group - that is to say healthy and unhealthy subjects.

So.....while my TT level of 423 is within "normal" range overall, the average for my age group is 552. Again, while 423 is in "normal" range, statistically it is closer to the average for an 80 year old man! Even more importantly, the 95% percentile of my age group is 866 (I'm 55)! So, armed with the symptoms I have been experiencing (yeah, pretty much all of them) and this informaton, I will make the argument with my physician that I want to be closer to the 95th percentile for my age group - not the 20th percentile. As I am in good health, I anticipate that the doctor will work with me to ratchet up my number. While I am usually one who doesn't like to jump on the medication bandwagon quickly, I see very promising possibilities to improve my life in many ways through T therapy.

Here's a link to the statistical data that I reference above, and it identifies the study from which it was drawn. It appears that the clinical study included almost 1,800 men ages 20 to 100.

http://www.mens-hormonal-health.com/normal-testosterone-levels-in-men.html

Thanks again to the OP for helping me to get started on this journey. It truly has the potential to be a life saver.


Todd,


You are exactly the type candidate as i was. You have done exactly the right thing in researching the T-Thearpy and along with your doctors oversight you will be significantly surprised with the results. The whole point of this thread is to become aware of your T-level thru blood test, make an informed decision as to your need to aquire a T-level that is normal for you and then enjoy the results of your decisions.
Congratulations !

Adding testosterone at 70 years old,good luck with that.Good to know that doctors are smarter than 1000's of years of evolution.

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.Hope you don't have any problems.

Adding testosterone at 70 years old,good luck with that.Good to know that doctors are smarter than 1000 of years of evolution.


What the heck does 70 have to do with anything? Could you explain that part of your statement?

I won't begin to try and respond to your 1000 of years of evolution thoughts.

Good to know that doctors are smarter than 1000's of years of evolution.

So doctors also should not try to interfere with:
- Osteoporosis?
- Alzheimers?
- Heart disease?
- Prostate enlargement?
- etc?

Andropause, or low testosterone is a serios condition that affects quality of life. Testo replacement therapy, however. may lead to increase risk of heart attack and increased risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone is a powerful chemical and anyone using testo replacement therapy needs to be checked on a regular basis. This is especially true for the over 50 crowd.

http://www.andropausespecialist.com/negative-effects.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3475829/ns/health-sexual_health/

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/testosterone_replacement_therapy/hic_testosterone_replacement_therapy.aspx

Many of the symptoms of low testosterone can be dealt with by changing diet (stay away from soy-based products), exercise and weight loss. Being overweight is a HUGE no-no if you wish to improve testo levels.

Be healthy, be safe, be well.

The cancer risk is reason why I declined to treat a low-normal T level problem with testosterone. While prostate cancer is not in my family, esophageal cancer and liver problems is. I've lost most of my immediate family to one or the other so it was a no-brainer. I've had to get an upper endoscopy done every other year now for the last 10 years (now upper and lower .. ugh). It made more sense for me to go on a program of weight loss and exercise. The weight loss issue became a more immediate problem because of a severe sleep apnea problem so I started on a campaign to get the weight off. I had ballooned from 165 to over 190 over a period of 5 years and while for some reason I didn't look fat I sure felt it. Between cycling and xc-skiing and a lot of fast walking, it's taken a couple of years to get the first half of the excess off and I've managed to actually keep them off so the next step is to get that last 12-13 pounds off.

The apnea problem is gone and I've been told that a lot of the other issues will mostly resolve with time as well as long as I get the weight off.

What the heck does 70 have to do with anything? Could you explain that part of your statement?

I won't begin to try and respond to your 1000 of years of evolution thoughts.

I'm with you, Dnvr. Age is just a fr3aking number. We all deserve to live our life, and make decisions for ourselves. No validation needed or required unless requested.