Fifty Plus (50+) - Advice on Low T?

I can't find the post that was on here awhile back on testosterone patches but, inspired by that discussion, I had my doc test me for low T at my annual checkup last week. Did not expect to have it, but heck I'm training fairly hard and want to be sure. Well, I got a phone message from the doc tonight that everything checks fine EXCEPT that I have low testosterone. I'm supposed to give him a call.

Any advice/experience?

(Especially from those with experience?)

I had mine checked for the heck of it....475

I can't find the post that was on here awhile back on testosterone patches but, inspired by that discussion, I had my doc test me for low T at my annual checkup last week. Did not expect to have it, but heck I'm training fairly hard and want to be sure. Well, I got a phone message from the doc tonight that everything checks fine EXCEPT that I have low testosterone. I'm supposed to give him a call.

Any advice/experience?

Oh yeah... my colonoscopy is set for Jan 27th. :(

Yes, call your doctor, they will probably refer you to a urologist to rule out any medical reasons for low T. If there are no medical reasons, then the doctor can discuss treatment options with you such as supplements.

The patch may cause skin irritation (rashes, red spots, etc,) and you may have problems with it falling off when you sweat. Gel is a bit more fuss, but without the problems associated with the patch.

Are you registered with the UCI?

A colonoscopy offers a good opportunity for a digital prostate exam. According to this study, that often does not happen. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695146/

Might want to put a bug in the ear of the gastroenterologist beforehand.

A colonoscopy offers a good opportunity for a digital prostate exam. According to this study, that often does not happen. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695146/

Might want to put a bug in the ear of the gastroenterologist beforehand.

Already done. My doc described this as "perfect". I am quite proud!:D

I have a friend who was diagnosed with low testosterone and he opted to get an injection every few weeks instead of using a patch. He did notice that his athletic ability increased after he started the treatments.

I just had my colonoscopy last week. The prep is not fun but it's not that bad, either.

Talked to my doc just now and I'm going on a product called Testim. It's a gel. I expect to be getting in bar fights in no time.

Or maybe I'll just recover better from a hard bike ride!

Or maybe I'll just recover better from a hard bike ride!

That's what I noticed most.

I don't have to worry about the UCI; my bike isn't a bike.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with low testosterone and he opted to get an injection every few weeks instead of using a patch. He did notice that his athletic ability increased after he started the treatments.

I just had my colonoscopy last week. The prep is not fun but it's not that bad, either.

but the drugs they give you are pretty good!
I had my annual physical last week. Blood tests indicate my testosterone is on the lower end of normal. My doctor will have me get another blood test in 6 months.

Has anyone read Dave Barry's description of the laxative used as prep for a colostomy? References are made to space shuttle launches though, personally, I think the references are silly. I doubt that you could achieve a velocity much past 200 meters per second as a result of the laxative, much less escape velocity.

That's what I noticed most.

I don't have to worry about the UCI; my bike isn't a bike.
Sorry, I forgot.

I get a "T" shot once a month with vitamin B12. I can tell you it has made a hugh difference in my ridding and my general outlook too. I am not sure sure once a month is often enough and will talk to him about it on the next visit. I can feel myself lag at about three weeks. Good luck

I get a "T" shot once a month with vitamin B12. I can tell you it has made a hugh difference in my ridding and my general outlook too. I am not sure sure once a month is often enough and will talk to him about it on the next visit. I can feel myself lag at about three weeks. Good luck

I discussed shots with my doc and he did mention that the dosage is not even when you take T that way. I'm waiting for insurance red tape to be worked out before I can get my 30 day supply of T gel. Apparently the doc actually has to call my insurance carrier to tell them why he prescribed the drug for me... go figure. :rolleyes: Cost if I just pay for it without insurance? $395!:eek:

Has anyone read Dave Barry's description of the laxative used as prep for a colostomy? References are made to space shuttle launches though, personally, I think the references are silly. I doubt that you could achieve a velocity much past 200 meters per second as a result of the laxative, much less escape velocity.

It's hard to beat Dave's stuff, but this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZndnyK1OHdY) is pretty accurate, I mean funny, too. :twitchy:

he opted to get an injection every few weeks instead of using a patch.

I think the injections are given in the rear end, and I always wondered about that. If a person is bicycling some days an not bicycling others, wouldn't the absorbed dose be about 100 times greater on the bicycling days? The muscles might be flexed thousands of times.

Or can the injections be given in muscles that aren't used for bicycling, like the triceps?

"ABOUT THE WRITER: Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.

Colonoscopy Journal:

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis."

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html

I think the injections are given in the rear end, and I always wondered about that. If a person is bicycling some days an not bicycling others, wouldn't the absorbed dose be about 100 times greater on the bicycling days? The muscles might be flexed thousands of times.

Or can the injections be given in muscles that aren't used for bicycling, like the triceps?

Very slow absorption, and the injection itself is administered slowly because it a very thick liquid!

Once a correct level is established the patient can self administer the injection on the side of the upper leg!

The effect is incredibly helpful when suffering from very low testosterone level due to hypopituitarism! (my case)

I did get my one month stash of Testim gel today. Paid about $60 after insurance and copay discount card was applied. Tonight I'm having a strange urge to buy some guns and go hunting. :lol:

Not just yet 50+ but I've been getting a fat twice-daily dollar-a-day fix here (http://mqrx.com/index.shtml) (thanks to the way cool doc, right proper progressive he is).

It's a cream. Put it on the legs. It's really the only way to go.

Think I'll just stick with the B-12 , Thank You.

"ABOUT THE WRITER: Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.

Colonoscopy Journal:

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis."

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html

Now this thread has gone completely into the crapper....:D

I did get my one month stash of Testim gel today. Paid about $60 after insurance and copay discount card was applied. Tonight I'm having a strange urge to buy some guns and go hunting. :lol:

Have been using the Testim gel about four days now and I do think I can feel a little difference... especially with my legs recovering more quickly from hard efforts. Could be a placebo effect I suppose. But still...
233868

Just watch the grapes don't become raisins!

I did get my one month stash of Testim gel today. Paid about $60 after insurance and copay discount card was applied. Tonight I'm having a strange urge to buy some guns and go hunting. :lol:

So what's the downside? Ammo too expensive?

Think I'll just stick with the B-12 , Thank You.

This...

Or you could just get younger.

In my humble opinion, messing with your natural hormones is not the thing to do.

Low-T is the new medical rage for the aging boomer.

just watch the raisins become grapes!
fify:lol::lol:

fify:lol::lol:

Be careful what you wish for when you start changing you body's hormones .

In my humble opinion, messing with your natural hormones is not the thing to do.

. Good point. I know a gym rat who was doing just that and went to the doctor for a checkup. His lab results came back and the doctor told him he had good news and bad news regarding the various hormones and steroids my friend was taking. The good news was that he could expect his member to increase 1-2" in length in the next few weeks, about 3/4" in diameter. My gym rat friend was thrilled but asked the doctor what the bad news was. The doctor replied: "Its malignant!" :lol::lol::lol:

Don in Austin

I'm at the low end of normal. I checked with my wife regarding supplements and she recommends saltpeter.

fify:lol::lol:

For your sake, I hope so. :)

What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?

In general, hormone replacement therapy is safe. It is associated with some side effects, including:

acne or oily skin
mild fluid retention
stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as decreased stream or frequency
breast enlargement
worsening of sleep apnea (a sleep disorder that results in frequent night time awakenings and daytime sleepiness)
decreased testicular size

I'm at the low end of normal. I checked with my wife regarding supplements and she recommends saltpeter.

After I broke my back, we were told my T was low. At the time I just didn't think about. But now I am concerned. Hope to get in to see my doc fairly soon and discuss it. My recovery has been good, but if there is any way to improve things, I'm all for it.

In my humble opinion, messing with your natural hormones is not the thing to do.

Low-T is the new medical rage for the aging boomer.

What about if you have none?

Don't wish it on anyone!

For your sake, I hope so. :)

What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?

In general, hormone replacement therapy is safe. It is associated with some side effects, including:

acne or oily skin
mild fluid retention
stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as decreased stream or frequency
breast enlargement
worsening of sleep apnea (a sleep disorder that results in frequent night time awakenings and daytime sleepiness)
decreased testicular size



These symptoms are the result of taking way too much testosterone!

What about if you have none?

Don't wish it on anyone!

I did not really suspect it, but my numbers were about half of what is needed for the bottom level of normal, FYI.


These symptoms are the result of taking way too much testosterone!

Correct.

For your sake, I hope so. :)

What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?

In general, hormone replacement therapy is safe. It is associated with some side effects, including:

acne or oily skin
mild fluid retention
stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as decreased stream or frequency
breast enlargement
worsening of sleep apnea (a sleep disorder that results in frequent night time awakenings and daytime sleepiness)
decreased testicular size


I'm going to take this all to mean that hormone therapy has not been administered for Low-T for a sufficient length of time to establish the relationship between said therapy and one of your nuts turning black or growing as big as a softball (after they shrink a bit).

In my humble opinion, messing with your natural hormones is not the thing to do.

Low-T is the new medical rage for the aging boomer.

Correct. Having spent the past 10 years working for a pharma company, I have gotten to know their schtick well. I just wonder how much was spent coining the term "Low-T". It sounds so much cooler than hypogonadism. I am heavily invested in an upstart pharma company whose lead product is an intranasal gel to treat Low-T. This looks very promising in Phase II trials and poses none of the threats, like a wife with a moustache that gels do.

The second product will treat female anorgasmia. I wonder what it will be called to attract the baby boomers to it.

I will agree that "low T" is being pushed today mainly because of new less medically invasive way of administering this hormone such as Testim gels. (no one like to have a shot every week or every other week)

But for the patient who really needs it, there is no substitute to the weekly or by-weekly injection, because the gels or patches are not very efficient.

Again a person with very low or no testosterone is not a pleasant way to live--and the side effects should be next to none unless pre-existing conditions exist.

Similarly not taking hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or any other vital hormones would be dangerous with very poor health and shortened life span!

Call Floyd Landis for some expert advise?

Call Floyd Landis for some expert advise?

I was just wondering how long it would be before this facet of the topic was discussed .

I will agree that "low T" is being pushed today mainly because of new less medically invasive way of administering this hormone such as Testim gels. (no one like to have a shot every week or every other week)

But for the patient who really needs it, there is no substitute to the weekly or by-weekly injection, because the gels or patches are not very efficient.

Again a person with very low or no testosterone is not a pleasant way to live--and the side effects should be next to none unless pre-existing conditions exist.

Similarly not taking hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or any other vital hormones would be dangerous with very poor health and shortened life span!

Thanks for another sensible response in a thread that is spiraling downward to nowhere. And thanks to Phil in Mesa and Blazing Pedals for sharing your experiences. And a few others seem to have been supportive as well... you know who you are!

Regardless of what anyone thinks should be done, I have made my decision in consultation with my doctor and I am moving forward from there. I'm optimistic that this could help me achieve a much better balance between my fairly ambitious bicycling life and my work life, where I cannot afford to be sleepy and tired all the time. The early signs are good so far. I hit the weights and core training yesterday a bit harder than usual and I think I've recovered much better than before. On the odd chance that it may be useful or helpful, I will probably report back on my progress from time to time.

I am not going to pay any attention to a discussion of the excesses of pro bodybuilding or Floyd Landis or doping in pro cycling or anything like that. It is just irrelevant to my situation and a waste of time.

Good deal! It has already had the effect you seek.

I am a diabetic and was also diagnosed with low-T. Doc put me on Androgel a couple of months ago. What a difference! I now have more energy, interested again in hobbies, and just overall feel better. I know there are risks, but I am willing to accept them in light of the changes the gel is making.

I will back up and apologize for any one I offended. But I have VERY strong feeling about supplementing hormones. As VNA points out, if you have no testosterone then hormone supplements will facilitate a more normal life, and that's one of the great things about modern medicine.

I just can't see hormone supplements so I can be "more athletic" at 60+ years of age versus the unknown consequences of long term use. But, as jdon mentions, modern pharma is looking for diseases to name and drugs to push.....restless leg syndrome, low-T, and so on and I'm sure we'll all hear some catchy name for female anorgasmia in the not too distant future.

Last of all, as a full disclaimer, let me mention that in our family we believe by wife's breast cancer was almost certainly brought on by hormone replacement therapy. She would be the first to say that the body changes in menopause are NOTHING compared to the hell of multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, and subsequent body changes. So transfer all that from the female to the male, and you have my feelings.

. . . So transfer all that from the female to the male, and you have my feelings.

There is absolutely no similarities--NONE--between women's hormones replacement due to menopause (estrogen and progestin) and men's testosterone replacement--absolutely none--very well documented.

Risks? certainly particularly if pre-existing health conditions are present. Just like any drugs can have side effects and can be abused!

So sorry to read about your wife's health. Wishing her the very best.

I found out last summer that I had virtually no Testosterone or other hormones, it is a long sordid story. I use a topical Testosterone (Axiron) that I apply to my arm pits daily. With Testosterone injections your levels will spike and then drop back quickly until the next shot. There is also another gel like product that I understand has a "sticky mess" issue.

Endocrinologists are the experts when it comes to testosterone and other hormones. I had the unfortunate experience of finding out how little the vast majority of M.D.s know about hormones. If it is a serious issue get a second opinion ideally at the top local teaching hospital.

I've been using prescription Testim gel (testosterone) for just over a month now and I am pleased with it. The stuff sure seems to do what they say it is supposed to and man am I glad I got tested. My recovery from exercise sure seems to be quicker and I've been able to do more of my core and upper body exercises. I have more energy for my work. I think that my body composition is improving significantly, which would not be surprising given this data from the clinical trials... and it was from subjects who did not do any physical training.
237649
I suppose I should mention that I have none of the health issues that make the use of this product contraindicated.

Is adding Testim the only change you have made or have you also modified diet and exercise?