I got mine tested on my own a few years ago out of curiosity. Came back 250 or so I think. I feel fine. Am I supposed to be worried ?

I had decided to see my GP doc for other things and asked about my low T diagnosis. She scheduled me for a physical and blood work. Blood work came back with great numbers overall. Blood sugar, kidney and liver functions were middle of the road. Bad cholesterol is in range but getting to the higher side. Good cholesterol is high, giving me a 206 score. Now the T. A normal male is 241-827. When I left the hospital, I was at THREE! Six months later I'm at 153, and my doc wants to retest in 3 months before considering further options. The blood work she had on me 18 months ago didn't check T.

My body and blood chemistry were completely all over place after my trauma. I'm surprised that as low as my T was, nobody followed up on it. It was my rehab doc that told us that, and I've seen him a few times since. On the other hand, my GP ran down the list of symptoms, and I had none. She did joke that if my T was higher I might have pushed my recovery and would be more likely to hurt myself. But she does want to see it higher, regardless.:innocent:

I see way too many doctors...

25mg of Androgel (alcohol base) topicaly applied(after shower, takes about 5 seconds) daily for the last 6 years. Freaking fountain of youth for me. Doc checks the PSA twice a year and zero issues.
You can also have a compounding pharmacy whip up a simular brew.

USA Cycling view on Hormone Replacement Treatments for Low-T
 

Hello,

Does anyone konw if these various HRTs would disqualify a rider from USA cycling
events such as Masters Nationals.

I read about some Master riders being suspended this year for doping. I wonder if HRT is considered doping by USA cycling.

I am getting back into bike racing after a long layoff and I want to ride in Masters 50+ classes. I am cosidering having my T levels tested and I hope they are normal ....

I would hate to start HRT and then find out I am now in viloation of USA cycling rules

I too have weighed the +'s and -'s I have been using TESTOS 25MG/PT1HRT dispenced as a cream and applied to the inside if the upper arm for well over a year. I have my blood checked every 3 months and the T Level has risen and i can tell you without hesiation that it works. I'm 70 years old and "feel 50" ---- Life has many decisions and the choice to use the T suppliment under doctors monotoring has been WONDERFUL !

Yes, they do disqualify. It might be possible to get a medical necessity waiver however.

I have been taking Androgel for several months. Energy levels have improved, and average bike speed has slightly increased. It is prescription and a controlled substance, so must be taken only with a doctor's supervision. Certainly shouldn't be used simply to enhance one's competitiveness and is definitely illegal for professional athletes, but for old guys like me (76) it is a big help.

Seven Week Update
 

I was in to see my doc for another matter this week but, while there, we drew blood for a testosterone level check. I was at 263 (up from 175 six weeks ago) and this was after about 16 hours without applying any testosterone gel. She decided to up my dosage to the next level and I am going from Testim to Androgel.

The Testim to Androgel switch is being dictated by my insurance company. They sent a letter saying they are going to be fussy approving one but not the other. Guess they have negotiated a discount on the Androgel brand.

Is this treatment effective? It has only been about seven weeks, so I am not going to say "20 years younger" and things like that; but I won't argue with that characterization either. My body composition is definitely changing in good ways. Will I ride my bike faster? It is too soon to tell about that but that was not my primary motive anyway.

So far the effects of testosterone replacement translate into benefits in several aspects of life. But I would probably not have even thought about being tested if I had not been involved in cycling.

any change to your love life?

Love life
 

Believe me it will improve. Took many months after a T reading of 13 but Boy oh Boy what an improvement!!!! :love::thumb:

I had mine tested last fall and it was 175. I asked the nurse where that fell and she said the normal range was 100-800. I kinda felt like she was being snotty so I didn't press any further but if that's the normal range then 175 was below average.

Seems to not be a settled thing in the medical world. I need to see my doc on Friday for a routine physical, and in anticipation for that, did some blood work. When they scheduled the tests, I asked for a testosterone test also. Kaiser allows a member to go on-line to see their test results. For "Testosterone, Total", the "Standard range" is 193-740 ng/dL. "ng/dL is "nanograms per deciliter". WOW! That's a billionth of a gram per just under a half glass of water. Those weight weenies amongst us fret over 10 grams. A billionth of a single gram is nothing.

This is what the Kaiser "about this test" says:

So? Who knows? My test came back with a reading of 283.4, not below the minimum standard range, but on the lower end. I'll talk to my doctor about it, and see if taking a supplement will help with my ride recovery. I know now that sometimes the day, or even two, after a particularly intense ride, that my legs have a dull ache when climbing the stairs at work. After a good 50-60 miler, I'm pretty wasted for the rest of the day, and sore and weak the next day. I'd sure like to recover quicker, and be able to put in back-to-back 40-50 milers. No reason, at our age, that we can't do something like that.

Because of having a prostatectomy and a return 6 years later, no testosterone for me. Prostate cancer thrives on testosterone. :)

Affirmative, very affirmative...:thumb:

Saw the doc last Friday. He let me have a Rx of Androgel. Two pumps. Saturday I applied it to the inner upper arm, Sunday to the inner thigh. Forgot this morning. I think the inner thigh will be a better place to apply the stuff. You just rub it in like suntan lotion. A bit sticky at first, but once you rub it in real good, it kinds of "goes away". Have to wash the hands pretty good afterward. He cautioned about putting it someplace where somebody could touch me, because some of it will transfer to that other person.

It told him that I wanted to try it to aid in recovery after a ride. He was impressed that I'd ride 50 miles. Always good when the doctor is happy with an exercise routine. I won't have my next real ride until Friday. If the weather cooperates, I'll push it a little bit and see how the recovery goes on Saturday. Want to get in a couple thousand feet of climbing. (He was not happy with how I am controlling my diabetes. Gotta work on that.)

"It told him that I wanted to try it to aid in recovery after a ride."

So you are taking a performance enhancing drug... Nice.

How does one find a doctor who is willing to help? Clinically I have all of the classic symptoms of low T, but the blood test comes in at the lower threshhold of normal. My family doctor referred me to an endocrinologist, who then rejected the referral based on the numbers - they were within "normal" range for a man my age - 56. My response to my doc was that I wanted to be more to the mid-range of normal, would he help me? After all, I had all or at least most of the clinical symptoms. Nope. Won't even discuss options and absolutely will not even consider a prescription. He has no other suggestions!

I find this unacceptable, so I am searching for a new doctor after 20 years with this guy. I find it ridiculous that this same physician will NOT HESITATE to suggest hormone replacement therapy for female patients as soon as they exhibit symptoms. But for men - no way. Again, I am not looking to improve my speed, my physique, etc. I am looking to feel normal again.

And for those of you that think it's funny, or that it's screwing around with mother nature, or that I should "man up" well...walk a mile in my shoes and then talk to me.

Any suggestions on how I go about finding someone to help?

Thanks.

Volo:
Tisk, tisk...Try not to skip any days. IMO you will start to notice real results after 4-6 weeks. It may not happen by your weekend ride. YMMV of course.

What I've been reading and what my doc seems to have used is 300-1000= the "normal" range.

I seems that the normal range is all over the place. It may go according to age. I've been on T shots for several months and I am up to 250 which is the very bottom of the range according to my doc. I will be getting the shots twice a month now and up the dose a bit. I must say I am doing better than I was but the doc has also been adjusting my thyroid dosage. Getting everything just right is touchy as they all together and effect each other. At least I think I am on the right track.

When I fired my old doctor and started looking for a new one I went on line and checked the reviews of the ones I was interested in. Then I started calling and the first one that a human actually answered the phone I made an appointment. I ask lots of questions and he candidly answered all of them. Then we talked about my issues. I have been happy with my choice but I am not married to the guy. If I think I need a change I will do it again. Good luck

I may have posted these links before, but am not sure so here they are again:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0607121129.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1027083043.htm

To have issues with testosterone and thyroid hormones level, your pituitary gland must be the culprit since this gland controls both of these and many more hormones?

I've been on Androgel since November. Levels went from 312 - 545. That's about 5th percentile to about 48th percentile for my age group, I think. I started taking it for depression and libido. It works. If it helps my cycling, yee haw.

This is my exact situation. My level was the the lowest normal value. I went to an endocrinologist who charged me $260 to say no. Today I'm starting a 21 day trial with a 'herbal" topical cream. It does not contain yohimbe, caffeine, ephedrine, or androsterone (sp?) which I suspect would be unhealthful. The reviews were positive.
I'm looking for improvement of energy, mood, and improvement of body composition.