Hormone test at 50

bkmuscledad

Superior Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Posts
1,416
Media
0
Likes
8,874
Points
308
Location
NYC (New York, United States)
Gender
Male
Good question, @chicocklarge . Thanks for asking it. I look forward to seeing some informative replies. I've known of doctors who poo-poo the idea of testing for hormones, dismissing any concerns of less than stellar hardons, etc, thinking that if your body performs as average (for your age). then that's good enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gj816

Gj816

Mythical Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
7,278
Media
86
Likes
26,395
Points
333
Location
Nashville (Tennessee, United States)
Verification
View
Sexuality
90% Straight, 10% Gay
Gender
Male
Might I suggest you speak with your urologist? Explain to him what you want checked. Sometimes you have to be frank with your Dr.

I told my urologist that there is a big gap between what is "considered normal" testosterone levels for men. It can range from 300 - 1000. That's a 700 point gap.

There should be a scale for what is "optimal performance". Every man is different. I told him there is a big difference in having a raging erection and just being able to get it up. He agreed.

Bottom line with me is that I don't see why getting older means you shouldn't be enjoying life as we always have.
 

twoton

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Posts
7,865
Media
1
Likes
8,301
Points
268
Location
Mid Atlantic
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
The question I'd have to answer for myself is 'why?' Since I'm not aware of any problems, would I improve my life measurably by taking a pill? Or would I literally be pissing my money away?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gj816

palakaorion

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2010
Posts
1,757
Media
0
Likes
3,081
Points
268
Location
Dallas (Texas, United States)
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
there is a big gap between what is "considered normal" testosterone levels for men. It can range from 300 - 1000.
And also a wide spectrum of physical and behavioral reactions to those levels. 300 might be barely functional for you but raging erection and confidence for me. Likewise 1000 might be optimal performance for you but acne and psychosis for me. A number by itself without context is meaningless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bkmuscledad

palakaorion

Superior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2010
Posts
1,757
Media
0
Likes
3,081
Points
268
Location
Dallas (Texas, United States)
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
If your doctor won't treat your reported symptoms, ask why not. Then listen to the answer. If it's "because your heart will explode at higher levels" then he's looking out for you. If it's "because you're technically in range" then find another doctor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bkmuscledad

Gj816

Mythical Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
7,278
Media
86
Likes
26,395
Points
333
Location
Nashville (Tennessee, United States)
Verification
View
Sexuality
90% Straight, 10% Gay
Gender
Male
And also a wide spectrum of physical and behavioral reactions to those levels. 300 might be barely functional for you but raging erection and confidence for me. Likewise 1000 might be optimal performance for you but acne and psychosis for me. A number by itself without context is meaningless.


True a number by its self is meaningless.
If on the other hand a man isn't achieving a"normal"erection then that could be a sign of low testosterone.
Likewise it could also be a sign that a man has a lot of stress in his life.

There are many things to consider when having your hormone levels checked. Primarily what is going on in your life. Another is to check the health of the prostate gland.

I have my hormones checked every six months by my endocrinologist. I also make a yearly visit to my urologist to have a prostate exam.

And while what is optimal for me may be over the top for you .Those are things that a man must talk over with his urologist or pcp.

Also before one goes on any TRT they should have their prostate examined, and know whether or not there is a history of prostate cancer in their family. Since some TRT can increase the risk of prostate cancer .

By keeping physically active, lifting weights, doing cardio, and alleviating the stress of every day life. A man can naturally increase his testosterone levels without the aid of TRT.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bkmuscledad

chicocklarge

Legendary Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Posts
1,280
Media
2
Likes
1,551
Points
268
Location
Chicago (Illinois, United States)
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
I am working out, lifting weights, etc., but I have noticed that I am losing muscle tone, not recovering as quickly from my workouts, my energy level is way down, I am always tired and can sleep for hours on end. I have had my testosterone checked and it was within the normal range; however it was midrange and not towards the upper range, if that makes any since. Just wondered how extensive of a test panel I should ask from my doctor...doing some background research before the appointment so I can have an educated conversation with him. Thanks for all of your responses.
 

Gj816

Mythical Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Posts
7,278
Media
86
Likes
26,395
Points
333
Location
Nashville (Tennessee, United States)
Verification
View
Sexuality
90% Straight, 10% Gay
Gender
Male
I am working out, lifting weights, etc., but I have noticed that I am losing muscle tone, not recovering as quickly from my workouts, my energy level is way down, I am always tired and can sleep for hours on end. I have had my testosterone checked and it was within the normal range; however it was midrange and not towards the upper range, if that makes any since. Just wondered how extensive of a test panel I should ask from my doctor...doing some background research before the appointment so I can have an educated conversation with him. Thanks for all of your responses.


Good luck man. Sounds like you need to lay all your cards on the table with your Dr. How long since your last physical? Sounds like you may need to have a thorough check of your blood work. Tell your Dr. exactly what is going on in your life, and the way you are feeling. ie: no energy, tired all the time what ever your symptoms are.

How many rest days do you take a week to recover from your workouts? I generally will take two.

Listen to your body. If you are fatigued only sleep can remedy that. Give your body all the sleep it needs to replenish itself. If you don't it will shut down on its own and trust me you don't want that. Again listen to your body.

After a week of working out and working on the job there are times that I sleep all day Sat and all night. Maybe get up and have some breakfast then back to bed. Get up and have dinner then back to bed. Just depends on how my body feels.
 

Big4Asia

Legendary Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Sep 8, 2016
Posts
103
Media
6
Likes
1,056
Points
388
Location
Melbourne (Victoria, Australia)
Verification
View
Sexuality
60% Straight, 40% Gay
Gender
Male
i've needed to take hormones since my early 30s, due to health issues and while it's true that there's no real 'number' that's ideal i think that having steady, stable numbers has done me the world of good. That's why I switched from T injections to Androgel - less 'bumpy'
 

ryans138

Loved Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Posts
90
Media
8
Likes
518
Points
268
Verification
View
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
I believe that men should get certain levels checked when they're teenagers. That way, they have an idea for a baseline for what's normal for them. Total test, free test, SHGB, and E2 at the very minimum.

That way, when you're older and you get it checked, you can tell where you really are. As others have said, disregard the massive 250-1,000 scale of "normal" or whatever scale your lab chooses to use.

From personal experience, weekly injections of test are the single best thing I have ever done for myself. If something isn't feeling right, get it checked. Insist on it. If your levels low-normal, and your doctor doesn't want to do anything for you, find another doctor. That's what I had to do.