Tesosterone Concerns?

sccp

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This question is to those out there who are being treated for low t... what symptoms did you notice, and how did they appear? And how effective is your treatment?

I'm only 28 but over the past 6-8 months I've noticed a steady decline in sex drive, erections, quality, etc. I have a lot of the symptoms of low t but at my age I didn't consider it a likely possibility? I went to my normal doctor a few months ago and he ran all the standard blood tests (but didn't check testosterone levels). Everything including cholesterol came back wonderful. I had a saliva testosterone test done and it came back just 2 points into the "normal" range so he didn't think a blood test was necessary. But two points lower and I would have been deficient.

I use to wake up with morning wood every morning, now I get it a few times a week. I use to masturbate at least once a day, now I can go 3-5 days without even really having the urge too and when I try often it takes work. My volume of ejaculate is definitely down from what it use to be as well. I have virtually no sex drive, I can watch porn or see a hot girl walking along and it doesn't phase me a bit most of the time. Every down and then I'll have a "good" day though and feel normal but those are getting rarer and rarer.

No drug use, alcohol in moderation maybe once at month at most... its been almost 2 months now since I went out though. I eat fairly good as evident by the cholesterol levels,
Anyone have similar symptoms before your diagnosis, and how did you convince them you were right?
 
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MC1000

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T-Levels can vary throughout the day. If you had sex (partner or solo) it can cause an elevated reading. At your age you will have trouble finding a GP to take you seriously. I've been on T. for several years and have talked to several other men who are on replacement therapy, too. None of them, including myself, found a doc willing to test/treat after one visit. Your best bet is to find an ENDOCRINOLOGIST. They specialize in the body's total hormone system and are more likely to examine the whole system, not just the numbers on one test. Just like with every profession there are good and bad providers. Do a little research on your area and find an endo who specializes in hormone replacement therapy. If your numbers are borderline some endos might be willing to try T-therapy on a trial basis to see if you repond well. Good luck!
 

WatchStr8Sex

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There are a number of hormones that can influence erectile function other than testosterone.

Firstly, serum testosterone is a useless figure, it is actually free-testosterone that determines biological activity. Testosterone is highly protein-bound and has a specific carrier protein in the blood called "Sex Hormone Binding Globulin" or SHBG. All the sex hormones with a sterol backbone are transported by this protein. From Testosterone and SHBG, one can calculate the FAI or Free-Androgen Index which is s much better indicator of testosterone activity.

Other hormones can influence the androgenic effects of testosterone including the Pituitary hormone Prolactin, present in some pituitary tumors (usually microadenomas) and released by certain drugs especially drugs used for the management of psychosis. In addition, the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Lutenizing Hormone) may be low because there is failure of the pituitary gland due to disease - tumors, excess exogenous androgens (i.e., people who take courses of anabolic steroids and other very rare conditions like haemochromatosis an Iron overload disease. In addition, after prolonged use of anabolic steroids, the testicles themselves may fail to secrete testosterone even in the face of very high FSH level because they are basically scarred and can no longer make testosterone. This is more likely to happen with greater duration of androgen use and inadequate Androgen-free periods to allow the testes to recover however, it has been known to occur with what many consider low-dose regimes.

This list is by no means complete or comprehensive and as stated above, a consultant endocrinologist should be your first port of call.
 
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sccp

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I'm going to look into an endo visit soon, thanks for the advice. Also SpeedoMike thanks for the advice, I honestly don't think that is my problem though. I'm a very happy person, enjoy my job, life, etc. I'm pretty active, I play paintball, coach baseball, have a good set of friends I enjoy hanging out with, etc. I don't think that is the issue, but I did consider it as an option. I really think it is hormonal, which one might be the question.
 

FuzzyKen

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Your experience is not all that unusual. For years I have screamed that men need to keep track of testosterone levels. Another poster from the land down under has it right on.

In the United States a prescription for testosterone is an Rx for a controlled substance so the rule is "we don't do that" even if you do need it. The best way to deny you the Rx is to deny you any test which could in fact prove them wrong.

You need a specialist on this one. It can be a reproductive urologist or a reproductive endocrinologist.

While the diagnosis as has been stated is a bit complicated the treatment is not. The idea here is that you ARE deficient. A male who is just two points above the bottom line at your age needs additional evaluation.

I am sorry for being blunt. The MD who "blew you off" is an absolute "hack". I am working with several MD's in my personal life right now to start a chain of clinics dealing with male reproductive issues. What we want to do is ED management and treatment and to really start taking the younger people serious. Though as of right now the exact cause is unknown there are some things you can do to help your testosterone levels. On the other hand you may not want to. In reality you want to be placed on male HRT.

I am on male HRT, but the problems started with ED. I tried the orals to find that they simply over time failed to work too. I then went to injection therapy which works well, but, I went back to my MD in California. I knew this man to be sharp on the diagnosis and that he would set things up legitimately to finally fix the problem.

After being placed on male HRT several things happened. The first one is that while I still have ED, it is now greatly improved to the point that a daily Cialis does the job for the most part. If I want a night of "OH WOW" I can still use injectable.

What was found with me was that my serum testosterone level was above minimums, but, my free floating levels were way below normal. It was also found that my estrogen level and prolactin levels were elevated. My mind wanted sex, but, for the most part my body was simply not willing. In addition, not everybody with falling testosterone levels loses the libido. Some lose the ability and the libido sticks around to make you more miserable.

How testosterone supplementation would work would be variable and depend on your needs. These days the most common is simply a trans dermal cream with a pre prescribed dosage applied daily.

The other variable in the equation will depend on what you need. If the main shortage is DHT you will need that made into a transdermal cream. If the shortage is testosterone itself you will have more choices. Injectable DHT is a problem because you would be forced to be a pincushion on a daily basis.

The main thing to remember is that after all levels are normalized you are going to feel better than you have in years! Atttitude, energy, attention span, cognition, and decision making are all influenced by absence or presence of testosterone. Sorry, if your testosterone is low a 545 gallon drum of anti-depressants are not going to fix how you feel. What they do effectively is simply to not make you care that you are depressed.
 

sccp

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Just a follow up to my original post, I've been having allergy problems worse than usual in the past month so I tossed my old MD to the curb and went to another doctor my best friend suggested. This guy did a wonderful job finding something to clear my allergies up to the point that I don't even need to take it but a couple of times a week now, so on my follow-up visit I decided to ask him about my concerns. He was very receptive and said he had several patients in my age range with that problem, that it was more common than many believed. I'm going back in a week or so for a round of blood work, etc to try to get to the bottom of it.
 

horneyoldguy

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I am on a low testosterone replacemnt regime of Anrogel each mornng because I have been diagnosed with low testosterone. This was about a year and a half ago and it took a while to regulate the amount of replacement testosterone I would need to bring my numbers up to where they should be for a guy in his late 60s.

My numbers are back up to where they should be because i can now again get a nice erection - something I had lost when my numbers were subnormal. However, I am checked every 6 months to make sure my PSA numbers have not risen. They are just over 1.0 - I have also been placed on Avodart to shrink my prostate and my urologist says it also helps prevent prostate cancer - the fear when you are on testosterone replacement.

One of the nice side affects other then a great hard-on is watching my muscle tone return and having to trim my body hair when it gets too long - I like my fur.
 

turfman

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I have been on replacement since I was 28. Just because it is in the "normal" range doesn't mean you might not still need a boost. "Normal" is based on guys 18-60. Just because you have the normal level for a 60 year old doesn't mean that you have an appropriate level for a 28 year old. You have to experiment to find what level is best for you. For me it is around 600. When I get to 400 or below I feel like crap and lose my sex drive, anything 700 and above I feel like a horny teenager. When I first got tested it was about 180 which was close to normal, but not for a 28 year old. I have tried the Androgel, Testim, and injections. The injections worked best for me, but now I am on the Testopel. They put pellets in your hip once every 4-6 months and they give you a constant level without having to worry about shots or rubbing gel on yourself every morning.
 

horneyoldguy

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I have been on replacement since I was 28. Just because it is in the "normal" range doesn't mean you might not still need a boost. "Normal" is based on guys 18-60. Just because you have the normal level for a 60 year old doesn't mean that you have an appropriate level for a 28 year old. You have to experiment to find what level is best for you. For me it is around 600. When I get to 400 or below I feel like crap and lose my sex drive, anything 700 and above I feel like a horny teenager. When I first got tested it was about 180 which was close to normal, but not for a 28 year old. I have tried the Androgel, Testim, and injections. The injections worked best for me, but now I am on the Testopel. They put pellets in your hip once every 4-6 months and they give you a constant level without having to worry about shots or rubbing gel on yourself every morning.

That's why I go for blood work every 6 months to make sure my numbers remain up there. I go again next month.

We are all at the mercy of our endrochrinologist who looks at the numbers and lets you know whether they need improving or not - they write the prescription - I still get a hardon and to be honest I am horny most of the time and look forward to the times I can get my rocks off.
 

LetsGo2007

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All of this was very informative and reassuring since I think I have the same problem. My drive is okay, but no where the level it was just a few years ago. Erections aren't as full and firm as they were. I'm constantly tired with no drive or motivation to do anything. There could be other factors but I think hormone levels have alot to do with it too. Thanks guys.
 

D_Adolfus Tallywacker

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Take Zinc supplement......Testosterone HRT can shrink your balls.....Because you are suppressing your normal hormone regulation in your body.....eat more eggs, spinach can increase your testorterone.....gentle massage your scrotum......Try 'monitoring' your balls temperature wear loose boker....'Hot & warm' balls produce LESS testosterone.....take more rest and cool shower.....
 

LetsGo2007

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Good advice, thanks. I do eat spinach fairly often and wear boxerbriefs. Will try the massage and take my multivitamins like I should, maybe that'll help. ;)
 
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Popeye must have been packing in the pants with how much spinach he eats
 

FuzzyKen

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There is no simple answer for "how quick" male HRT works. When I was placed on injectable because of some real rough times back in 2001 the effect was incredible and I felt like a million dollars in about 3 days.

The cream simply has not been as effective with me.

The fellow getting testosterone replacement and Avodart, you're in trouble guy. What you are doing is getting a testosterone replacement on one hand and then the Dutasteride which is the active ingredient in Avodart prevents the conversion and proper usage of what you are getting.

You need to have your MD refer you to all of that great evidence that giving you HRT on one hand and then taking it away by preventing it's conversion is doing anything other than wasting your money.

Remember: Testosterone is broken down in the body into multiple different compounds for usage in different body functions. Part of this regulates a balance between an anabolic and catabolic state. This is what the bodybuilders who use it are seeking. This builds muscle mass. Your liver produces an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. It is that enzyme that converts your testicular or supplemental testosterone into Dihydrotestosterone which is what all of your sexual functions depend on.

Evidence is now beginning to emerge that DHT is not the hormonal "bad guy" that it was once thought to be. If the pituitary axis goes off what happens is that you get a major imbalance. This means you get elevated levels in several other hormones which may in fact be the evil doers. When you are given male HRT you also need to have full panels on as has been said Free Floating, Estrogenic Compounds and even more Prolactin. If any of the rest becomes elevated you give the patient a ton of testosterone to accomplish what only a small quantity would do with the other levels reduced.

Handing a guy testosterone replacement and then placing that same patient on Avodart at the same time is really not good medical thinking. You deserve a great deal better than "endocrine wars" which is what you have right now.