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Dealing with Low Testosterone - Hypogonadism

67K views 184 replies 48 participants last post by  raven2000 
#1 · (Edited)
I have been hesistant to post this thread for some time. While dealing with the dying days of my marriage and then struggling with whether or not my symptoms and issues were a result of stress and coping with the divorce I wasn't sure if my problems were physiological or psychological. But ... testing has confirmed what I would never have suspected were it not once again, for discoveries I made here on this forum. So in that vein, I hope sharing my information will be useful to others.

The website below is a great one-stop resource for learning about all things testosterone. What it is, what it does, what the measurements mean, and methods of addressing and treating the issue of deficiency. Without getting into existential discussion, testosterone is the hormone produced in the testes that basically, defines male sexual characteristics, bone mass, muscle mass, and influences energy levels and feelings of well being.

Mens Hormonal Health

These are other threads on TAM addressing this question - that from a guy's perspective isn't going to be an enthusiastic conversation - but probably is a necessary one, especially if it is having a negative impact on your relationship.

Any man out there having a mid-life crisis?

Could it be low testosterone?

Low testosterone, how to deal

In my case, what I have found most troubling about the diagnosis, is wondering how long it has been an issue. I have shared previously that I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder in my thirties. I struggled tremendously through college and at times in the work environment with attention and fatigue issues. I took medication for over a decade to treat my inability to focus that led to prostate problems, and utterly crashed my libido, ability to achieve or maintain an erection, or to have an orgasm. Basically the side effects of the medication I was taking increased the symptoms of hypogonadism or low test. To me, the kicker, and hope is the possibility that my ADD symptoms will be resolved by testosterone therapy.

For the benefit of others, in considering low test as a possible issue, my symptoms are as follows:

- Erectile Dysfunction
- Decreased Libido, I still have desire but not that driving urge. And even with desire, my body won't cooperate.
- Decreased penile sensitivity
- Difficulty achieving orgasm, This has almost always been an issue for me. I have the opposite of premature ejaculation.
- Depression, I want to qualify this as feeling more like an emotional trough. I don't feel that it comes anywhere close to clinical depression, although depression still feels like the best word. I feel like there is a damper on my emotions, and at times my energy level is zero.
- Insomnia, I've had bouts of this throughout my adult life. I usually chalked it up to stress - even when there were no apparent stressors in place.
- Fatigue, I'm not talking about feeling a little tired or having a hard time staying alert through the afternoon, I'm talking about a really weird inability to take action in the morning. It's like this low waking state, where I'm aware, but my mind doesn't engage to say - 'time to get up'. I will literally think that I have been awake in bed for 10 minutes or so, and discover when I actually do get up that I had been laying there for close to an hour.
In the evening, between 5 and 8 pm I am exhausted as in want to go to sleep for the night tired, have nearly fallen asleep behind the wheel tired. Occasionally I do doze off and awake a few hours later.

The reason I feel that laying this stuff out there is important, is that so much of it can easily be categorized as other conditions - thus missing the correct one. My physician and urologist never posited the possibility of low testosterone. I asked them to do a screening based upon my symptoms after reading about the subject here, particularly based on contributions and exchanges with Simply Amorous.The screening is a simple blood test.

Testosterone generally begins to drop once a man is in his thirties, the presumption is that the drop is about 1% per year. In my case, my symptoms became far more pronounce approaching my mid-forties. What complicated things in my mind, was this also coincided with the timing of the end of my marriage and divorce. So, based upon the results of my blood screening, I am pursuing treatment on the physiological side. If testosterone therapy doesn't yield any results in terms of the sexual or emotional symptoms, I'll be looking at options on the psychological side.

Frankly, the symptoms and consequences of this condition are humiliating. They are demoralizing. If you feel like crap, it makes you feel crappier. If you are generally confident and upbeat, it's tough to maintain that outlook. All of a sudden the inability to perform one of the most definitive of male traits - becomes the center of anxiety, fear and disappointment - especially if you are trying to forge new intimate relationships. I do want to forge new intimate relationships, and I do want to be back to my confident, upbeat self. So, I have no plans to ignore or deny the issue hoping it will go away, I'm opting for treatment, and would encourage any man on the fence, to get screened and pursue treatment as well.

Treatment takes several forms:

- Pills (Generally considered least effective)
- Transdermal Gels, this is a gel rubbed into the skin where the hormone is then absorbed into the blood stream.
- Injections, intramuscular injections via syringe
- Subdermal Implant, this is the option I chose. The medication is pelletized and inserted beneath the skin where a steady dose of the medication is absorbed for up to 4 months.

My therapy will likely start in early January. Benefits if any, should likely start to appear by February, within 4 to 6 weeks.

I will certainly try to post experiences and progress in the interim, and with ongoing treatment. I'll be happy to answer any questions either on the open forum or via PM.
 
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#115 · (Edited)
I didn’t read your entire post but I have a good idea what you are going thru. My English is sucks but I will try to explain myself. I have been suffering from ADD/ADHD since I was a kid. In Soviet Union any minor disorder considers Mental Issue, so I never admit that I had a problem. I am fluent in 5 languages only because I have photo graphic memory and I can only rely on my photographic memory, I can’t concentrate, I can only memorize stuff, but your memory can only hold certain amount of info. So I choose what to remember. If I remembering something, I associate this with something like a smell or color and etc. By the end of the day I feel exhausted and tired. That’s why I lost so many keys and cell phones. Also I experience “DAY FOG”. or day dreaming.
For example I am reading a book, after reading for 20 minutes I realize I have no idea what I was just reading. That’s why there is exercise for reading.

I can dedicate one page to ADD/ADHD and how to deal with it.

Now here is interesting part, I am sure you heard about drug called Adderall or D Salt Amphetamine I don’t know if its right place to discuss. It’s a very dangerous drug if you don’t know what you doing. I have being taken Adderall for 3 years. I experienced a lot with this drug, and finally I got great results. I became an expert in this field, I achieved great success. At the same time I almost ruined my marriage, and I got addicted to Adderall and caffeine.

I also suffered from insomnia and erectile dysfunction. I developed OCD, COPD and BPD. I finally was able to control everything. If you interested I can give you more info.
 
#117 · (Edited)
If you want quality Natural supplements look into the brand called Metagenics. They are more expensive but better qaulity.
I take EPA-DHA liquid (fish oil)
Fibroplex (soft tissue suport)
Vitamin D
WeighTech protein powder as a meal replacement 50-60 gramms per day.
CoQ 10

They have natural product called Cholarest SC its for Healthy Blood Lipids Levels.
 
#119 ·
If you interested about Natural Male products I can mention them too. I am just not sure if it’s a an appropriate place.

As far as workouts, everybody have their own technique. My goal is endurance and be fit. I change my work out routines every 3-4 weeks. I like to work out before work.

Here is my routine:
Monday 40-50 cardio (stair master)
2 groups of muscles (chest and triceps)
Each exercise is 4 sets and 12 repetitions
6 exercises for chest and 4 for triceps
Tuesday Morning No gym but I wake up in the morning and do 200 push up total, 100 sit up and 40 pull ups
Wednesday 55 minutes cardio (spinning class)
3 groups of muscles (back, and biceps, and abdomen)
6 exercises for the back and 6 for biceps
Thursday No gym but I take class Kravmaga and Cross fit
Friday 35 cardio (elliptical) low impact on your knees then
I do circuit training
Saturday no cardio just warm up and stretching
2 groups of muscles (shoulder, trapezium and legs)
Sunday I swim Kravmaga and Crossfit
If you have joint pains try to avoid hard impact on your body. Do low weight higher repetition, try yoga or palliates. Try spinning classes. As far as diet avoid Animal Products. Try green juice. Calories in Vs Calories out. Do not consume more then 1800 calories
 
#120 ·
I am getting testosterone pellet injections quarterly. I am loving life. The first time I git the injection - I felt like superman for a month. That is how far I was off the T scale. Now it is a normal and regular injection. I really fell better in the first few weeks after the injection. Energy, better sleep, and I am much less passive.

Last time, after a shot - some guy tried to steal the parking space I was parked in front of saving for my wife (in NYC). The guy argued with my wife when she pulled into the spot. I was feeling the testosterone. I jumped out of the car and sternly told the driver "We life here - and that's my wife you're talking to ...do we have a problem"? I was on it - and the drive said he didn't want any trouble and apologized and drove off.
 
#122 ·
There was a great programme on tv the other night about hormones. The essence of the message was how little is known about them, especially the effect of quantities and how they interact with one another. Pharmaceutical companies are viewing them the same as toxins, which are apparently linear in their affect, not so with hormones.

Plus it seems there are a lot of hormones pumped into the food we eat and the packages the food is kept in. In one trial the scientists couldn’t believe the results they were getting relative to oestrogen. When they investigated it turned out the manufacturer of the test tubes they were using used oestrogen in the manufacturing process! I find that stuff difficult to believe. Why on earth use hormones in the manufacturing of test tubes and the like?

It got me to wondering after reading here just how much really is known about hormones plus just how much the docs check for. For example, it would seem pointless to me testing for testosterone if they don’t check for oestrogen at the same time. Especially as oestrogen is used in so many places, for example to make cows produce more milk etc. One of the cautions in the programme was about tomato ketchup of all things. Yes, high quantities of oestrogen are used in tomato ketchup. Now just think how prevalent the use of tomato ketchup. Those burgers while piling on the weight are very much likely making a total mess of hormone mixtures as well.
 
#124 ·
I used to work a lot with Americans. Took one to a famous restaurant for an evening meal. He took so long going through the menu and specials on the wall that I thought he just couldn’t make up his mind. Turns out he couldn’t find a burger and chips. To get away from that stuff takes a total life change.

Do they do a full spectrum on the hormones, or is it just testosterone?
 
#125 ·
I’m of the mind it’s not just one thing with these things. For example zinc has a lot to do with testosterone generation so it would probably be good to have a full spectrum analysis of trace minerals and take zinc suplements. Plus for example not a lot happens without vit C so a full spec analysis of vitamins would be good as well. It’s amazing what daily pumpkin seeds and the like can do.
 
#126 ·
Deejo I was just wondering if you’ve become knowledgeable on the whole hormone thing? Or do you put yourself totally in the hands of doctors? Did you know for example that the adrenal gland plays a large role in hormonal balance. That caffeine stimulates the adrenal gland to produce adrenaline. And that too much caffeine exhausts the adrenal system. I looked into caffeine a while back, it’s exceedingly toxic. So I stopped drinking coffee. The same afternoon I had a headache, I don’t get them normally, and that night I got twitching knees and ankles. Caffeine has a half life of 3.5 hours, headaches and twitching are part of the withdrawal symptoms.

If you haven’t done so already you might want to visit a naturopath. The best ones will ask you to complete a pretty big questionnaire so they can get a good understanding of your life style. If your hormones are out of balance, they’ll consult with you to produce a plan to get them back into balance.
 
#127 ·
Statins don't change triglycerides very much. You would have to be on mega doses of Niacin, in the 2000mg/day range. I'm thinking of going off HRT because it's raising my blood pressure and the possible additional side effect of high hematocrit. Since sex isn't going to happen anyway, there's not much need to worry about the hydraulics and such. Plus it's expensive.
 
#128 ·
I'm 56, I've never been tested , but many of the symptoms mentioned here were creeping in over the last ten years. Not wanting to go the pharma route I read everything I could about low T levels and how it often is hooked physical fitness. I'm now in the gym at least four days a week and cycle everyday. I'm down 20lbs, what ever fat I once had is now muscle and notice a huge difference in my libido and mental focus. Physically I'm now in better form than than I was in my early 30's and have more muscle than at any time of my life. From what I've read compound exercises that use large muscle groups like squats, kettlebell swings, dead lifts and rowing all raise T levels. To anyone whose interested I'd suggest trying the gym route first and see what happens, it can't hurt.
 
#129 ·
Deejo,

I'm intrigued by this post. I was starting to consider that maybe I am also suffering from this. I've just started to think about this issue so haven't read much about it yet.

My issue...

I'm hard all day. Seriously. Well, not seriously, bu god I'm randy.
Go to gym four times a week to do intense training.
Wear boxers.

Now...I'm not a big eater, but I'm gaining weight I can't seem to lose. About 20 lbs. even with cardio and weights it doesn't want to leave.
I'm exhausted at wierd hours. I'm good, but then I get so tired it almost feels like I'm going to have a narcoleptic episode or something.

Ok. That's it. But I've heard "rumors" that the last two symptoms are a sign of decreasing testosterone.
Being in my four ties now, I was starting to think maybe I need supplements to increase my levels.

Maybe it's time for a test.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#130 ·
Now...I'm not a big eater, but I'm gaining weight I can't seem to lose. About 20 lbs. even with cardio and weights it doesn't want to leave.
I'm exhausted at wierd hours. I'm good, but then I get so tired it almost feels like I'm going to have a narcoleptic episode or something.
alphaomega, it sounds like your pregnant! Congrats! Enjoy getting the man boobs, you'll need them to breastfeed the newborn...
 
#132 ·
Caffeine and Testosterone

3) Testosterone to Estrogen Ratio. Interestingly enough, caffeine increases testosterone. Unfortunately, it does not raise testosterone enough proportionately to compensate for the rise in cortisol, leaving one with a lowered testosterone-to-estrogen ratio.

From Coffee and Caffeine Dangers


Apparently in the factories where coffee’s produced there’s the skull and crossbones danger to health signs all over the place.
 
#133 ·
Medical Marijuana and sensuality re T levels

Now that I've been living in California for a year I have a recommendation from my physician for medical marijuana due to a neurological disease that has made walking difficult.

I'm also taking .75 ml/week of Testosterone Cypriate 200 mg/10ml. My T levels are at the right level, the shots not at all painful and my GF loves shooting me, as well as making love, frequently.

When I use mMJ, four tokes inhaled using a vaporizer are enough to make me very hard, increase my endurance, and greatly enhance sensual and sexual feelings as well as making it easier to walk.

I will add we are both in our early 60s and having more fun than ever before.
 
#134 ·
I'm due to get my levels checked again soon. Particularly as there appeared to be a spike in my lipid profile coinciding with HRT.

ED remains an issue. Although I can achieve an erection, I simply cannot maintain one for long periods of time ... which I require in order to reach orgasm.

Much like 60% of the female population, it is very difficult for me to have an orgasm during intercourse.

Prostate issues persist as well. Takes me a reeeaallly long time to urinate.

So in the scheme of things, I'm still not sure where the physiological ends, and the psychological takes hold. But, I have no doubt that they both play a role.

Disclosure is a funny thing.

I have chosen to be very upfront with my partners once it has become apparent that we are headed towards intimacy.

And I have to honestly say, for all of the times that a woman has said "Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter ..."

The fact remains ... it does matter.

I just don't look like the guy whose junk isn't supposed to work. I'm slender, very fit, and in the scheme of things, still pretty young. But at some point, each of my partners has basically asked, "Is it me?" ... in spite of my best laid plans to make it clear that this issue exists outside of the scope of the relationship ... or person.

I get it. Sex is deeply personal. Regardless of whether or not we treat it as such. Being intimate with someone affects us, and affects them. Consequently, my issue becomes their issue, and it has an impact.

I can honestly say at this point, that I'm not anxious about having sex. Functionally, there is little difference now then there was 3 years ago.

Although, I will state, the difference between my ability to perform having stopped taking the ADD medication, is absolute night, and day.
 
#135 ·
Deejo thanks for this last post... I asked my doc to check my levels, he issued bloodwork but I didn't look close at the order, got back "free testosterone" numbers, he said it was above average (like 51, avg is sposed to be 35 or something) I still want to get a comprehensive hormone test though... At the time of my test I had been keeping on top of exercise (lifting). All along though the equip still hasn't been working consistently though... at first my gf said its ok, and at first I wasn't feeling anxiety about it either, but after awhile it became apparent that night it wasn't going to happen - there are times when it works perfectly it seems, atleast when my arousal is heightened but then the wind can go out of the sail so quick, especially when the rain jacket comes out. Last time we were together was a marathon night and I experienced all three phases of erectile state - premature e, one really close to mutual, and one that was delayed a long time (as much as I felt like a stud from that one it was starting to wear her out pretty good). It is definitely a psychological issue, but seems there is a sensitivity problem that makes it really hard to work this issue out.
 
This post has been deleted
#136 ·
This is where I was fortunate, and I second stritles suggestion.
I was on the normal side as well, ranging from 300 - 400 ng/dl

My fatigue, and joint pain were the clinchers for me.

And as I stressed in my initial post, the issue I found was that my MD's wanted to treat all of the symptoms separately. Never occurred to anyone that many of them may be related to one thing.

Any of my existing issues could have been chalked up to problems resulting from other conditions, or worse, side effects of medication I was already taking.

It was very frustrating.
 
#137 ·
Lon - Simply having your "free test" levels checked isnt going to tell you anything. You must have: Test (free and natural), Estrodial, Prostate, RBC's. Free test is simply the test available floating around in your blood, natural is what is being used.

Test levels can be the culprite for many different symptoms, if you doc treats your hormone levels and your thyroid, it will cure most of thosem symptoms you mentioned.
 
#141 ·
I always take the view that the doc will get it wrong, experience has taught me that’s the best way with them. I have used a naturopath Naturopathy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features, as well as physical examination.

When I made the one hour appointment I got in the post a massive approx 200 questions to answer and return a week before I met her. It’s a whole lifestyle thing that they look at. So very different to the ten minutes or so with a doc who is basically there to dispense drugs in some form or another. In the case of this topic I’d look for one who specialises/has experience in male sexual performance issues.
 
#143 ·
Sounds like your systems been really hit and you may have to do a lot of remedy work to get it back to normal. If you really do have circulation problems caused by the drugs you took then it will be a case of stopping ingesting foods etc. that restrict your blood flow and taking in foods that get your blood itself to the right consistency.

I know quite a bit about caffeine because a few years back I was trying very hard to stop smoking. I had lots of triggers, a good meal, a pint all that sort of thing. But one of my triggers was coffee and tea so I decided to go onto water only for three days just to see what happened.

I was amazed. In the afternoon of the first day I got a massive headache. I’m lucky and never suffer from them (just give them to others). That night in bed my knees and ankles started twitching, kind of jumping about by themselves, very strange. The next day I typed the two symptoms into Google and up came “caffeine withdrawal symptoms”.

What actually happens is caffeine actually reduces the size of the blood vessels in the brain and other parts of the body. Caffeine has a half life of 3 hours or so as it reduces in the blood, the vessels start to expand again. And this is what gives the headaches. If a person is continuously drinking drinks with caffeine in them they don’t get the headaches etc. because the vessels stay constricted. Caffeine does come out of the blood but it is stored in body organs. It’s quite dangerous stuff.

But drinks with caffeine in them is only one way blood flow may be reduced, others of course are if our blood is thicker than it should be. It’s for these reasons I recommend a holistic approach via a naturopath.

There’s a lot of info around re caffeine and ED. From the testosterone perspective caffeine whacks the adrenal gland which in part I believe produces testosterone and is therefore made less effective.

All doctors will do, if you are lucky, is measure your hormone levels and give you a boost. It’s much preferable to work with someone to help you get your body back to what it should be and produce your own testosterone and get your blood circulation to what it should be. But it’s no “quick fix” and can take time and one heck of a lot of perseverance before you see any results.

The first test of a good naturopath is if they have a total intolerance of caffeine. Wont give up the caffeine? Goodbye and only come back when you have.
 
#145 ·
So in a bizarre set of events ... I'm actually curious if anyone else on HRT has had difficulty getting testosterone cypionate?

I haven't been able to get it at all. Four pharmacies have told me that the manufacturerer has stopped making it. WTF?

Needless to say, had a physical little more than a week ago. My total Test was 314. Back to where I started. Fatigue has been through the roof. I'm guessing also a result of having been supplementing and then stopping cold turkey.

I'm mentally slower, more tired, and fatter ...

Exactly what I was going for and what turns the ladies heads ...
 
#146 ·
H is on testosterone cypionate injections. Haven't had any problems getting it (S/Central US).

Is your doc going to switch your prescription?

The fatigue and fuzzy-headedness of hormone imbalance are awful. Hope you can get things balanced out and feel better. :)
 
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