Comments on: Testosterone Week: The Benefits of Optimal Testosterone

By: May Peterson

May Peterson — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:43:14 +0000

@Blake,
At the time that my hubby had the big V, we weren’t able to check whether his testosterone levels were low or not. Let’s just say that the only thing that we knew was that there was no fear of getting pregnant. Yes, he had the pain right after the procedure but when the pain subsided… it just got better. Anyway, he already had the reversal, which was successful since I’m already on the way. We got a good doctor – Dr. Wilson. For guys who are planning on getting a reversal, you can check out his site at http://www.microvasreversal.com and we got the reversal for only $1700. So I do think that his T levels increased after the reversal, my bulging tummy is the proof! :)

By: Andy Bird

Andy Bird — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:32:57 +0000

I have been taking ZMA for six weeks, an over-the-counter testosterone booster supplement to help with recovery and push through a strength plateau in the gym.

I sleep better and deeper so 7 hours is suddenly sufficient. But even better, I dream about sex every night!!! :-)

.. did I mention sex?

By: MyqlTee

MyqlTee — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:33:18 +0000

When I got to 39, I stopped smoking – hooray ! I was expecting to put on a few pounds, and sure enough 20 leaped straight on – but then another and another, I became slow and lethargic, my work as a computer programmer became really difficult and I lost all ambition. My personality changed – I became irritable and life, particularly setting goals or looking to the future seemed pointless. I became hopeless and sad and angry and pudgy – a pointless, weak little man who’d go along with anything, devoid of my own spirit. I finally got diagnosed with low T and my doc put me on the lowest grade of the gel. It really didn’t have any effect. He was a great doctor, except for the fact that he was extremely conservative with trying to adjust my levels. Every month I’d have a test done, then we’d have to wait until the next month to analyse the results – he would be concerned that there was no real change, so he’d up the dosage a fraction, then we’d go for a month, do another test, wait another month. After over a year of this he decided to switch me to the patches – again the same result and the month in between. If circumstances meant that I had to miss an appointment (couldn’t get a ride, or family commitments), then it’d go on again. Each time the dose would increase only a tiny amount. Eventually there was some movement, but only up to around 200. My readings had been between 26 and 130 until then. I still felt like a stupid useless, old man, embarrassed by my lack of motivation and having the mid of a simpleton. My lack of earning vigour meant we lost the house we lived in and had to move into a crummy rental – all that hard work down the drain, how useless was I ?
Desperate, I asked for the shot therapy and so the next month I got the lowest possible dose of the injection – and – phew ! Some relief, I could feel my body come back to life, I could exercise and relax and do my work, and it was great, for a few days. Then it tailed off.
So, back in the doctors office every 2 weeks for another round of testing and injections –
over the course of the next year he gradually increased my dose and I topped out at around a 300 blood level. Not brilliant, but a glimpse of what life could be like if only was normal and not this pathetic splodge. Then I lost my insurance and it’s been a year or so since I’ve had any treatments. I hate my stupid self at this point, my wife tries to understand but thinks I’m blaming all my feelings on my low T. She’s probably right, I can’t even be bothered to try and argue anymore, I feel like worthless stupid crap and she’s right, I don’t blame her for resenting this idiot that her once slim, funny, clever husband has become.
I now have my insurance back and am trying to find another doctor – it’s still going to be months before they’ve run tests and I’ve got enough regular treatments to bring me back up to the range of a 70 year old man. I hope I live long enough that my daughter grows up, and starts her own life, I can’t bear the thought of another 40 years of being like this. I’d settle for 10 years feeling human.

By: badgerbrian

badgerbrian — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 06:15:33 +0000

To John Brookston:
Starting at age 34 (in 1999), I too suffered from many of the same symptoms you posted (plus many, many more bad things happening to my body, along with brain-busting headaches), and I have incredibly low T after being tested many times over the years, starting in 2005 and my most recent check in December 2012.
It took nine years of every medical test and treatment (from the conventional to the far-out) under the sun to get a correct diagnosis, and it turns out I have four tick-related diseases, including Lyme disease. Consider being tested for Lyme and other tick-related diseases John–I’m told that Lyme is rarely alone, that there is usually a co-infection involved, and in my case, three co-infections.
After four years of treatment for these tick-related diseases, and many years of T replacement therapy (gels, creams and now shots), I’m still not in the pink, but better than where I was four years ago-the longer the bugs have in your body, the longer it takes to get rid of them, mainly through off & on antibiotic treatment. Best of luck to you.

By: Brookston John

Brookston John — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:50:56 +0000

After much badgering my doctor had a free testosterone test run on me. I came in at 127, which is really low. So I get a shot in the ass cheek every 2 weeks that makes me feel like I’m getting better for 3-4 days then it’s back into the dumps again. I’ve put on 60 pounds in 6 months, can’t walk 200 yards without having to stop and rest and I’m using a cane to walk with now. Can’t remember the last time I had a decent erection. The fatigue and weakness affects my work to the point that I’m considering claiming disability. I remind myself of those 90-y-o men you see standing in the front yard leaning on their cane watching their wives do all the yardwork. I thought they were being sexist asses, but now i realize that like me, they just can’t rake or push a lawnmower anymore. And I’m only 55.
I see my doctor this week and if the T level is still low I’m going to demand some changes in treatment or find another doctor who doesn’t think it’s normal to be washed up at 55.

By: ben

ben — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:25:20 +0000

Does high testosterone lead to hair loss?

By: Ric

Ric — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:07:29 +0000

Thanks Bret for this good series. I asked my doctor about testosterone therapy and he told me that medication therapy can put one at risk for all kinds of problems. So, I am happy to find a natural way to improve. Thank you!

By: Fietsbel

Fietsbel — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:51:53 +0000

Hm. I too tend to turn into an eeyore at times, however late last year I had a period of general okayness. It’s reverted again the past couple of weeks, and now I wonder if it’s because of the relatively short-lived change in diet – more low/slow carb food, bacon and eggs in the morning, steak, that kinda thing.

I think I’m going to try that dietary change again, see what the effect is.

By: Rks1157

Rks1157 — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:38:01 +0000

I’ve already commented on another testosterone article here but I forgot to mention this.

I’ve used testosterone replacement therapy for the last twenty years. I use the real thing, not supplements. Weekly injections of testosterone cypionate have changed my life for the better. There are very real side effects to consider, gynomastia is one them. High levels can lead to swelling of the breast tissue. Further, hair loss is a possibility as is a compromised adrenal system and yes, there is a link to prostate issues.

There are risks involved with hormone replacement therapy and there are a lot of people looking to liberate money from your wallet with sketchy research quotes. Be smart, be safe. Talk to your doctor first. He or she just may be more willing to help than you think. Real testosterone therapy is much less expensive than over the counter supplements and has absolutely proven results.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:01:45 +0000

I have always heard that testosterone supplements lower your life span. Does gaining T naturally have this same effect? I am 27 so at the point where I am starting to notice this becoming a problem. After reading another article on here I stopped going to bed at 3am and started waking up at 5:30am and eating more protein in my breakfast. After this I have noticed a huge difference in my energy levels. While, I would rather have more quality years than pure number of years, still curious about this.