Testosterone

[tennisgod]

I started lifting last year at 49 yo and my testosterone was 4.7 nmol/L (don't know if you U.S. people use the same units), when the normal range is between 10 and 28. Essentially, I was running on fumes.
As I got into lifting, I took blood tests periodically and the levels rose to 6.7, 7.5, and my final test 4 months ago was 9.9... still low but marginally so. I am extremely happy and will take another test soon to see. The difference is very noticeable... my sex drive has increased, and morning hard-ons are not uncommon.
What is interesting is my endocrinologist (who is a small Asian guy). He smiled when I said that I am convinced the weight training has provided the test level increases... which told me that he did not believe it. He said he would like to see a study linking test levels to weight training, to which I said that there is probably a thousand of those. So this guy just doesn't get it.

Anyone else have tales of testosterone increases? (especially the older guys).

[Sami]

I started lifting last year at 49 yo and my testosterone was 4.7 nmol/L (don't know if you U.S. people use the same units), when the normal range is between 10 and 28. Essentially, I was running on fumes.
As I got into lifting, I took blood tests periodically and the levels rose to 6.7, 7.5, and my final test 4 months ago was 9.9... still low but marginally so. I am extremely happy and will take another test soon to see. The difference is very noticeable... my sex drive has increased, and morning hard-ons are not uncommon.
What is interesting is my endocrinologist (who is a small Asian guy). He smiled when I said that I am convinced the weight training has provided the test level increases... which told me that he did not believe it. He said he would like to see a study linking test levels to weight training, to which I said that there is probably a thousand of those. So this guy just doesn't get it.

Anyone else have tales of testosterone increases? (especially the older guys).

Why don't you go on Androgen Replacement Therapy if it's that low?

[misspelledgeoff]

this is TMI but I swear to god my figs are more plump. wifey agrees, though it took some convincing to get her to verify my findings. I'd actually like to get tested to see where I am.

[tennisgod]

Why don't you go on Androgen Replacement Therapy if it's that low?

My GP thinks I should, but the endocrinologist (and myself especially now that I am 9.9) thinks not. I would like to see how far the lifting will take me before I start messing around.
Also, I understand that the naturally produced test may decrease if external test is used, so I am afraid.

[tennisgod]

this is TMI but I swear to god my figs are more plump. wifey agrees, though it took some convincing to get her to verify my findings. I'd actually like to get tested to see where I am.

I think it's a good thing to get tested regardless. The number of bad things associated with low test levels is a mighty big scary list.

LOL on the wifey! My girlfriend thinks I have no issues at all, which is a good thing. She said she's scared if my levels go above 10!

[Dastardly]

there is a hormone H.c.G which is actually obtained from urine of pregnant women.

When injected into men it increases the testosterone produced in their very own testes.

It is also a hormone used in large scale fish farming, it makes fish grow big.

Hormones are both amazing and weird.

[Sami]

Come on man, you're 49 years old. You won't get anywhere near what you were as a younger man. You've been lifting a year and you're still below the normal range. Yes, you've seen an improvement, but I don't think you'll ever get to the top of that range.

If you think you feel good now, you won't believe how much better it can get. Everything improves. Everything.

As far as your naturally produced test, yes this will be decreasing. But it's decreasing anyway with age. You can't really stop this.

If your GP is willing to prescribe it now, jump on it. If you don't like what you find, jump off. But keep in close contact with your endocrinologist and GP to monitor everything. Especially the prostate. The prostate thrives in test. That doesn't necessarily mean prostate cancer, but one can still get benign growth. But enlargement of the prostate is another fact of getting older. Every male gets and enlarged prostate with age.

Apart from the prostate, oestrogens need to be monitored too. If this is looked after, patients can reduce the possibility of Gynecomastia.

When I reach a certain age, I will definitely be thinking about ART.

[pauld]

There are some ideas here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/ma...pagewanted=all

The hormone injected to stimulate your own testosterone is called HCG. I don't know if you have the $$$ and/or a company like Cenegenics down under, but there are options if you want to do more than just lift heavy.

[tennisgod]

All good points, Sami... I guess I'm afraid cause:
1) I hate doctors and their 15 minute diagnosises without a care in the world for each patient.
2) The fact that once on ART, I have to monitor all these other side effects as you mention (prostate, oestrogens, naturally produced test, etc.). Scary in my book...

I would love to hear of anyone who is on ART and their stories (good/bad)...

[Sami]

All good points, Sami... I guess I'm afraid cause:
1) I hate doctors and their 15 minute diagnosises without a care in the world for each patient.
2) The fact that once on ART, I have to monitor all these other side effects as you mention (prostate, oestrogens, naturally produced test, etc.). Scary in my book...

I would love to hear of anyone who is on ART and their stories (good/bad)...

Yeah, that'd be a good idea. Definitely do your research.

Check out the Super Human Radio podcast, by Carl Lenore, episode #415. He does a whole show on ART and has on a specialist doctor in ART. It's really worth a listen if you're remotely interested. They talk about the pros and cons of different delivery systems etc.

I'm going to be talking about it with my dad. He's almost 60 and I don't think he's on it.