Hormone testing?
 

Any of you guys here had their hormones tested for testosterone deficiency? Thinking about doing this, been reading up and dealing with inability to build any real muscle mass, last bit of flab around the waist and chest, and some other minor annoyances. My weight is great, cardio is great, but some nagging things that led me to look into the hormone thing. Let me know...
Brian

It can be done. I think there's a formal panel that gives more than a simple testosterone level. The most comprehensive panel is one they use to evaluate pituitary function.

You should be able to get one ordered by any PCP, but definitely by an endocrinologist.

Make their day and be honest: "I've been a Masters competitor for years and doping all the while. I want to make sure I haven't really fouled things up". It's much more interesting than "Doc, I can't get it up any more".

Simple blood test. I have it done annually as part of my employment medical exam. My levels are normal but my doctor tells me there are many middle aged normal guys asking for testoserone treatment. It seems we all listen to "Low T" ads. The treatment has a place for those with significantly lower levels and according to the doc, it does not improve ones ability to "get it up". That is what viagra does. It may contribute to lower lean muscle mass but that may also be more related to protein intake.

See a doc and see what he says. I am just a cycle forum expert. :)

Remember when everyone (well, a lot of folks, anyway) was taking DHEA?

These things come and go.

Having difficulty getting it up is one problem, wanting to get it up is an entirely different issue. Viagra may help with the first, supplemental T may help with the latter.

Just a blood test...get one.

Because of my leukemia, the radiation/hormone treatment that I had to have for the prostate cancer just about shot my testosterone levels all to hell. I have talked to my oncologist about this and the result is that I can't take any testosterone supplements for one year after my last hormone dose so we can see what my PSA is at that time. My year ends in March and so far the PSA is holding at 0.01, so I am going to bring it up again at my April visit. Hooray for the Golden Years.

Lol!!!!

Actually "getting it up" is not an issue, rather it is that last bit of belly and chest fat that I cannot get rid of no matter what I do. My workout regimen has been consistent for nearly two years and I cannot get rid of that or build any large muscle mass. Classic testosterone deficiency. Thanks for the input guys...going to get it done one way or the other.

Having been diagnosed with "hypopituitarism" I have to take hormone replacements using injections every other week for testosterone and thyroxine (for the thyroid) so far! The other important hormone at our age controlled by the pituitary gland is cortisol--low for now but within the acceptable limits.

It is no fun living without these essential hormones and definitely dangerous. Without them you are tired, aching, depressed, pass out easily and on and on!

A car ran into me while cycling (of course) and crashed into his windshield and fell off the car hitting the back of my head on the pavement with a bad concussion which dislodged that tiny gland that is so vital--yes I was wearing a helmet which cracked!

Testosterone has little to do with sex and everything to do with good health from muscle and bone strength as well as cognitive ability. etc.

:lol:

T? Testosterone? .........................................................OH, I thought they were talking about TEA! Been drinking so much tea that I'm sick of it!

I have been taking shots once a month with Vit. B12 for several months now. Glad I got it checked.
Now if I can get the rest of the body to function properly...

Do you mind disclosing what your levels were prior to shots? I had mine tested at 17.7 nmol/L (normal range: 10-30) so I'm in the lower half of normal. I suppose I could get it boosted up some but Doc didn't think it was a good idea.

Both my father and his brother, my uncle, have prostate cancer. That means I've got a better than average chance of developing it. Another uncle (not a blood relative) died from it last year. I know prostate cancer generally isn't life-threatening, and that far more men die with prostate cancer than from prostate cancer, but I've had my fill of cancer and I don't want any increased risk. One side effect of testosterone supplements is an increased chance of prostate cancer. I'd love the benefits of supplements now at age 55, but I don't want to be dealing with cancer treatments at 75 if I can avoid it.

Kurt is on the right track. Prostate cancer cells thrive on testosterone, so if you are going to start any kind of t-supplement, make sure that you are not at risk for prostate cancer or have no signs of it. I had the initial signs of prostate cancer and my doctor and I were doing a wait and see what happens treatment since my PSA was higher than normal but not high enough to be concerned. After being diagnosed with leukemia, the immune system went to hell and the prostate cancer grew at a very accelerated and aggressive rate. The leukemia didn't leave me with much of a choice on my treatment options for the prostate cancer, so I had to have the radiation/hormone treatments. The radiation to kill the cancer and the hormones to reduce the testosterone levels that were feeding it.

Had mine checked last April. It was on the very low end of the normal range. I was having depression, irritability, anger, etc. Libido was off a little too. Couldn't lose fat or put on muscle. I went to a urologist and got a prescription. My depression symptoms lifted within a couple of days. Get it checked.

This has been more my issues, was blaming it on a lot of other things before thinking, "This isn't me". Starting with blood test this week, and perhaps moving on to the saliva test next...

http://www.healthcheckusa.com/Mens-Profile/46895/