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Testosterone levels fall gradually as one gets older and I'm wondering if I'm at the age where I should use a supplement to promote my own hormone production or go for Testosterone replacement, or nothing at all? I'm not looking for bulking or to become Mr Universe, just to hold onto my body as a functioning machine as long as possible.

I'd really like to hear from guys who have used successfully (or not) and what did or didn't work.

ONLY if your Dr. prescribes that for you!

No harm in getting a testosterone blood workup. The problem is that many docs outside of the cancer and HIV community aren't really up on the latest.
There is a great book by Nelson Vergel, "Testosterone" available on Amazon that you will learn how to talk to your doc, what tests to run, etc.

I agree with bigsmiles - there's nothing to lose by getting your hormone levels checked out - you may be low, and you may be able to do something about it.

Many of the supplements on the market don't replace or boost your naturally occurring Testosterone, but prevent it from being rendered useless by other means.

I have taken a number of supplements which boost the available testosterone over the last couple of years and the only one I think that made any difference was "Test Freak"

Once you achieve a reasonable amount of muscle mass in your major muscle groups (Pecs, Quads, Glutes etc) you should find that the Testosterone production from just working those muscles may be enough to cycle off the supps permanently...

Do get your T levels checked though - you have nothing to lose by finding that out.

I'm actually in the odd position in that I have medical care where I'm living, something I'm trying to rectify, but it makes going for blood test impossible. I'm not in the USA, so I can't just ask for such tests and pay for them in the way that I think you can there.

I also don't want to mess up my hormone balance, hence the checking all this out, but I did here that many docs now will consider a male menopause as a reason to prescribe.

Thanks for the book suggestions...I'll be following them and any other suggestions people make...

Pexus saidTestosterone levels fall gradually as one gets older and I'm wondering if I'm at the age where I should use a supplement to promote my own hormone production or go for Testosterone replacement, or nothing at all? I'm not looking for bulking or to become Mr Universe, just to hold onto my body as a functioning machine as long as possible.

I'd really like to hear from guys who have used successfully (or not) and what did or didn't work.

Your testosterone starts dropping around 28 or so.

YOU WILL NOT LOOK LIKE MR. UNIVERSE. THINK, FIRST. You do not eat enough calories, you won't be taking enough of the testosterone, and you don't workout in the way needed to promote that level of sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. Use your big head on this one.

Testosterone is good medicine. The best outcomes come when your test is set to 1000, or higher, as has been discovered through years of working with HIV patients. Testosterone has a number of anti-aging effects and will make you have an improved sense of well being, better body fat distribution, bone density, blood pressure, muscle mass, and libido.

You'll want to find a good doctor who is not afraid of endocrinology. A doctor who works with wasting diseases (the sickest of the sick) is a good candidate on being up to speed on the best science. If you get your test tested and you have 200 and the doctor tries to tell you that's fine get a different doctor.

I've had a test script for many years, which we just brought up in dose the other day.

You'll like it and it's something you can do at any time. You'll feel better, you'll look better, you'll improve your health, you'll probably live longer, and your quality of life will be better.

At your age, getting a test script is an easy go, except with the most stubborn of doctors. Most doctors I have had take testosterone.

Pexus saidI'm actually in the odd position in that I have medical care where I'm living, something I'm trying to rectify, but it makes going for blood test impossible. I'm not in the USA, so I can't just ask for such tests and pay for them in the way that I think you can there.

I also don't want to mess up my hormone balance, hence the checking all this out, but I did here that many docs now will consider a male menopause as a reason to prescribe.

Thanks for the book suggestions...I'll be following them and any other suggestions people make...

Ask for a testosterone panel.

It's called "andropause", FYI.

sc69 saidI agree with bigsmiles - there's nothing to lose by getting your hormone levels checked out - you may be low, and you may be able to do something about it.

Many of the supplements on the market don't replace or boost your naturally occurring Testosterone, but prevent it from being rendered useless by other means.

I have taken a number of supplements which boost the available testosterone over the last couple of years and the only one I think that made any difference was "Test Freak"

Once you achieve a reasonable amount of muscle mass in your major muscle groups (Pecs, Quads, Glutes etc) you should find that the Testosterone production from just working those muscles may be enough to cycle off the supps permanently...

Do get your T levels checked though - you have nothing to lose by finding that out.

Garbage talk.

Supplements are NOT testosterone. Testosterone is testosterone. Most supplements are JUNK.

Weight lifting DOES NOT raise your testosterone. High intensity exercise LOWERS your testosterone. In hard training athletes, testosterone level can approach ZERO. Therein lies the attraction of AAS. You'll want to study up on the this: watch the series "The Human Machine."

Someone who is 58 almost CERTAINLY has sub optimal test levels.

Whore moans are great for increasing strength and vitality.

I think whoar moans would be greatly appreciated right now!

or even whore moans!!! LOL

For those who argue it would be unantural or an abomination or if god had intended humans to have upped test there biology would produce it. Here's something I sent to a Rjer who asked me the other day.

Look at it this way... Biologically once you reproduce, you might as well be dead, that's why evolution never weeded cancer, neuro degeneration, diabetes or heart disease out of the population once you pass your genes onto the next generation you having the genes to out run a sabertooth tiger won't benifit the human race in the slightest.... So are unlikely to be conserved. It's the same with testosterone it's an immunosuppressant so while the benifit of being pumped full of it and able to wrestle the tiger off may seem awesome...but not if it compromises your ability to fight of an infectious disease.

You got to remember people living beyond their 30/40's is a relatively new thing in evolutionary terms. Its just we have have medicine and technology to diagnose, treat and control infectious disease removing the evolutionary disadvantage of greater testosterone so all that's remains are the advantages to your quality of life...

chuckystud said

sc69 saidI agree with bigsmiles - there's nothing to lose by getting your hormone levels checked out - you may be low, and you may be able to do something about it.

Many of the supplements on the market don't replace or boost your naturally occurring Testosterone, but prevent it from being rendered useless by other means.

I have taken a number of supplements which boost the available testosterone over the last couple of years and the only one I think that made any difference was "Test Freak"

Once you achieve a reasonable amount of muscle mass in your major muscle groups (Pecs, Quads, Glutes etc) you should find that the Testosterone production from just working those muscles may be enough to cycle off the supps permanently...

Do get your T levels checked though - you have nothing to lose by finding that out.

Garbage talk.

Supplements are NOT testosterone. Testosterone is testosterone. Most supplements are JUNK.

Weight lifting DOES NOT raise your testosterone. High intensity exercise LOWERS your testosterone. In hard training athletes, testosterone level can approach ZERO. Therein lies the attraction of AAS. You'll want to study up on the this: watch the series "The Human Machine."

Someone who is 58 almost CERTAINLY has sub optimal test levels.

You certainly have a compelling argument - and I'm open to what you say;-

I've personally experienced an improvement from the use of the product I mentioned - I dont beleive it could be placebo as nothing else in my diet changed over that time- measured with blood tests over a three month period.

I also didn't say that the supplements were Testosterone - but they are marketed as reducing the other factors that reduce it. I'm not sure if the USA is like Australia - many supplements available elsewhere are banned here.

My personal experience has been positive - I've always been a hard gainer, but recently found my endurance and workouts have been better with supplements.

I've spoken with other guys, and some hardcore builders in their 40s and later that are of the opinion that muscle mass did infact increase their testosterone levels..

http://www.trulyhuge.com/weighttrainingandtestosterone.htm is one of many pages I've found in the past that seem to support that notion.

I'll try find the series you mention, it sounds like a good resource.

Agreed that someone who is 58 almost certainly has a lower Test level - I'd be surprised if he didn't.

MsclDrew said

Look at it this way... Biologically once you reproduce, you might as well be dead, that's why evolution never weeded cancer, neuro degeneration, diabetes or heart disease out of the population once you pass your genes onto the next generation you having the genes to out run a sabertooth tiger won't benifit the human race in the slightest....

Actually it does, as you provide a function of protection of the species by having those abilities.


You got to remember people living beyond their 30/40's is a relatively new thing in evolutionary terms.

Actually it's not, many in history lived long lives but at the expense of large numbers who succumbed to diseases that were external to their genetic make up.

I don't understand what this has to do with wanting to lived a life that is prime rather than allow the lowering of one hormone to limit my growth. Other areas of the body continue to grow, even in the early stages after death. Genetics is just one part of the whole picture, environment and our abilities to enhance ourselves are also part of that whole.

I've just realised that one of my earlier statements was missing a vital word...I DON"T have medical care where I live. I moved from the UK to France and my health assurance has run out. That means I don't have access to expensive tests etc, although I will be consulting a doctor next week to get a note that will allow me to join the gym here and to run in a half marathon in May!

Yes.
I'd shop for a gung-ho physician. Different docs feelings about this differ wildly. The effects can be huge on happiness and well-being though. (I haven't done it, just read up on it.)

The doctor I'm seeing is an American practising in France so I will ask him his opinion about it.

I reckon if we had a clear menopause like women, unlike the psychological and with smaller noticeable changes, physiological one we do have i'm sure that we would have access to HRT without any problem....

Pexus saidThe doctor I'm seeing is an American practising in France so I will ask him his opinion about it.

I reckon if we had a clear menopause like women, unlike the psychological and with smaller noticeable changes, physiological one we do have i'm sure that we would have access to HRT without any problem....

I was diagnosed with low testosterone a few years ago. A normal part of the male aging process, as you note, but it was already causing muscle mass loss, weight gain and bone loss, not good things. So I was put on testosterone gels, like Testim.

Did little good on me for all their side effects, but other men do better with them. Now I'm having my testosterone deliberately suppressed with Lupron injections, because of my prostate cancer. When those end (if I don't myself first) I'll have to revisit the issue of boosting my testosterone back up to normal levels.

Not sure how your doctors there will view it, but the reason I was put on testosterone replacement therapy (before the cancer treatments) was not the low levels themselves, but rather the detectable negative results of those levels on my body and overall health. Explore that aspect with your doctors. Don't make it a matter of testosterone for testosterone's sake, or for male image issues, but rather for the harm being done to your body, like the bone loss I've experienced. Developing specific related medical problems might meet the criteria for receiving testosterone replacement therapy.

Thanks for the advice Art_deco. I will do just that, the only problem is that I don't have any of those degenerative signs, although the bf does keep pointing out that I'm 7 kilos lower than when I met him. That's not such bad thing as I was a little over weight around the middle, but I do have less muscle and can feel some of the fat growing back. My profile pic was taken when I was at my best which was this time last year.

While I'm not expecting a diet sheet, it would be great if you could suggest what I could eat to help...

^ Diet is not going to restore your testosterone to optimal levels. If it were that easy we'd more readily know about it.

I tried go off of my testosterone replacement therapy. I was actually fine with the slight loss in body mass. I only lost eight pounds but I became much leaner. Testosterone actually thickens my skin and plumps me up in a way that I lose some definition. So I didn't mind getting leaner.

However, I went off of testosterone for three months and my levels were reaching nearly half of what the minimum guidelines were for a person my age (forty). My free testosterone was what was terribly low. Not only that but my cholesterol shot up nearly fifty points so it with from 160 to 205 in three months!

That scared me so I opted to go back on since my body wasn't able to produce enough free testosterone and I'm hoping that by supplementing that my cholesterol levels will go back down.

Upon my next blood draw, if my cholesterol goes back down I will conclude that they became elevated due to my very low free testosterone levels (and that the reapplication of testosterone therapy helped to bring it back down to healthy levels). I'll know in a couple more months.

Your right much more.... Your body uses cholesterol to make testosterone. So, if you're cholesterol is up your T must be way down. Unless you're taking meds and then this theory is void.

Pexus saidWhile I'm not expecting a diet sheet, it would be great if you could suggest what I could eat to help...

Go find a young registered dietitian. We have way better health and wellness training than older ones. It is a much more evidence-based profession now.

Doctors just want to make a buck off the rich baby boomers with bigpharma kickback.

I would encourage you not to do anything like this unless you have reviewed the "pros" and "cons" of such actions. Too many people focus on the
"quick positive results" instead of a responsible review of all. I wouldn't rely on the opinion of one doctor, but get 3 or 4 opinions. Be thorough, you are talking about your health.

HndsmKansan saidI would encourage you not to do anything like this unless you have reviewed the "pros" and "cons" of such actions. Too many people focus on the
"quick positive results" instead of a responsible review of all. I wouldn't rely on the opinion of one doctor, but get 3 or 4 opinions. Be thorough, you are talking about your health.

Great Advice

The Mayo Clinic's web page reports the following side effects of testosterone replacement

Contribute to sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts
Cause your body to make too many red blood cells (polycythemia), which can increase the risk of heart disease
Cause acne or other skin reactions
Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and possibly stimulate growth of existing prostate cancer
Enlarge breasts
Limit sperm production or cause testicle shrinkage

You need to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks

And you should keep in mind that HRT could end up being a lifetime commitment. Educate yourself before discussing this with your doctors. There are different types of test out there (injectable, gel, creams, patches) and the costs can vary widely. Weigh the pros and cons of benefits, side effects, cost of treatment, type of administration, etc.

It is not a bad idea to see what your hormone levels. At the least, if you decide that hormone treatment is not for you at this time, you will have some numbers to compare future tests to.