- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Should I schedule an appt with endocrinologist if I don’t plan on taking TRT?
Posted on 6/30/20 at 7:47 am
Posted on 6/30/20 at 7:47 am
Got my free testosterone results back recently. 327. Up from 324 last year.
At 35, this is really on the low end of the spectrum. My GP is likeminded when it comes to being minimalistic about medicine. I’m reluctant to take tums and it has to be something serious for me to take ibuprofen. Haven’t taken an antibiotic in a decade.
So I’d really like to avoid getting started on testosterone treatments in my mid-30s.
But I can’t shake the fact that I’m having symptoms of low t. Tired and groggy most of the day. Difficulty in getting full sleep. Workouts are more difficult than I want them to be, and strength/muscle gains seem limited. Sex drive is low. Ambition is down. Personality has become kinda monotone if that makes sense.
I’ve been thinking for a year that there are natural things to fix, but I’m also wondering if low t is hindering my ability to see it through. I’ve gained some weight over the quarantine but also gotten stronger in the gym (850 pound total on the big three). Still, 5’7 172 is heavier than I’d like to be.
What do y’all think? Go see an endocrinologist or try to lose weight, take cold showers, and follow this guide?
At 35, this is really on the low end of the spectrum. My GP is likeminded when it comes to being minimalistic about medicine. I’m reluctant to take tums and it has to be something serious for me to take ibuprofen. Haven’t taken an antibiotic in a decade.
So I’d really like to avoid getting started on testosterone treatments in my mid-30s.
But I can’t shake the fact that I’m having symptoms of low t. Tired and groggy most of the day. Difficulty in getting full sleep. Workouts are more difficult than I want them to be, and strength/muscle gains seem limited. Sex drive is low. Ambition is down. Personality has become kinda monotone if that makes sense.
I’ve been thinking for a year that there are natural things to fix, but I’m also wondering if low t is hindering my ability to see it through. I’ve gained some weight over the quarantine but also gotten stronger in the gym (850 pound total on the big three). Still, 5’7 172 is heavier than I’d like to be.
What do y’all think? Go see an endocrinologist or try to lose weight, take cold showers, and follow this guide?
7
Posted on 6/30/20 at 8:55 am to StringedInstruments
I saw an endocrinologist when I had my thyroid gland removed. At that time, it was really hard to get an appointment. I saw Dr Bushan. Later saw Dr Ericka Flood who took my case at Bushan’s office where she worked then. She has since opened her own practice in Prairieville and is now my PCP. She handles my blood work with great intensity and care including my testosterone levels and treatment. I highly recommend. They are very thorough.
Posted on 6/30/20 at 10:17 am to StringedInstruments
Eat carnivore for a month and reassess how you feel. If you feel good continue for 3 months and get your T levels checked. They are likely to be much higher.
Posted on 7/4/20 at 11:40 am to StringedInstruments
Try maca and heavy squats. This is what my GP has me on and I was able to stop the shots.
Posted on 7/4/20 at 11:46 am to StringedInstruments
Lose 15 lbs and see how you feel
Posted on 7/5/20 at 12:26 pm to StringedInstruments
I wonder why the art of manliness article is the only article people ever mention about how to raise T levels naturally. It was pretty believable but then it’s only one guy’s experience so I don’t know how reliable it is
This post was edited on 7/5/20 at 12:30 pm
Posted on 7/5/20 at 3:08 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
I wonder why the art of manliness article is the only article people ever mention about how to raise T levels naturally.
I read it when it came out back then but had no use for it. I think it's now the first option when you search on Google for natural ways to boost testosterone.
It's also not full of herbal mumbo jumbo and is mostly lifestyle changes that make sense. Sleep more. Eat more red meat. Cut junk food. Lift heavy weights. Have sex. Add in some fish oil and vitamin D.
Posted on 7/6/20 at 7:48 am to StringedInstruments
Why are you avoiding TRT?
Posted on 7/6/20 at 8:20 am to bad93ex
quote:
Why are you avoiding TRT?
Multiple reasons:
1) I've always been a medical minimalist. I don't like taking medicine. I often have weird side effects to medicine. Examples? A z-pack makes me wet the bed. Embarrassing, yeah? Those cortisone shots they give you as a boost when you're under the weather? I get violent hiccups the next day that last about 12 hours. They progressively get worse until each hiccup feels like I'm receiving a vivisection. Tamiflu? Psycho nightmares.
I haven't taken an antibiotic, received a cortisone shot, or taken Tamiflu in 13 years.
2) TRT has potential side effects especially if taken long term. A simple Google search will reveal many articles discussing these. They can include acne, insomnia, heart disease, elevated risk of stroke, risk of blood clots, and shrunken testicles. Considering I already have weird side effects to taking medicine, I assume I'll have these as well when taking TRT.
3) How can I plunge into a long-term commitment with TRT if I haven't fixed my health and fitness naturally? How can I be so sure that my testosterone needs invasive therapy with medicine and that it's not my personal choices causing this?
I average 6ish hours of sleep per night. I eat too much sugar. Lots of carbs. I'm about 20 pounds overweight. I'm stressed about trying to buy a house, the political climate, and a pandemic that has limited my children's ability to socialize with peers.
Do I need TRT? Or do I need to get my shite together?
Posted on 7/6/20 at 9:11 am to StringedInstruments
I think based on your age and symptoms, it sounds like your instincts are correct in wanting to put TRT off as a last resort. I would use a good ZMA supplement before bed, try to sleep more, reduce stress, increase healthy fats a little, eliminate sugar, get your diet right, use resistance training, and see what that does for you first. Your levels are still on the low end of normal. Most docs are conservative with TRT and would not bump you much, you should be able to get above 400 on your own. I took mine from 200 to 400 using what I described above. Understand that TRT is used conservatively and just enough to be in a healthy range, its not intended to be like a bodybuilder taking high levels of Test. I would explore other means first before resorting to TRT.
This post was edited on 7/6/20 at 9:20 am
Posted on 7/6/20 at 9:32 am to TigerAlum93
Give all of the aforementioned things a go for a month or so then reassess. My levels were very similar to yours and I felt like complete garbage for a long time until I started TRT. I go into a clinic weekly and they check vitals each visit and bloodwork every 6 weeks.
Posted on 7/6/20 at 9:58 am to StringedInstruments
Your intuition is correct, lose the weight, try to improve sleep, and check again.
I also wouldn’t overreact to a single test. Did they also test SHBG?
I also wouldn’t overreact to a single test. Did they also test SHBG?
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News