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So my doc told me my Testosterone levels are normal...

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Jul 13, 2011 8:25 PM GMT

... just a few notches above the lower bounds of normal for my age group.

So no dice in cadging a testosterone supplement out of him (in fact he told me that in the longer run it could actually lower my T since the supplemental T injections cause the body to shut down its natural T manufacturing.).

So I am left wondering if there are natural/non-pharmaceutical ways to cause my body to increase T output?

Or to decrease excess estrogen production?

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Jul 13, 2011 8:50 PM GMT

alphatrigger said... just a few notches above the lower bounds of normal for my age group.

So no dice in cadging a testosterone supplement out of him (in fact he told me that in the longer run it could actually lower my T since the supplemental T injections cause the body to shut down its natural T manufacturing.).

So I am left wondering if there are natural/non-pharmaceutical ways to cause my body to increase T output?
[...]

Regular serious weight work outs, and, lots of sex.

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Jul 13, 2011 10:33 PM GMT

Oh shit! No steroids for you!!!

Well, maybe the internet will offer a solution?

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Jul 13, 2011 10:43 PM GMT

BuddyinNYC said
alphatrigger said

Regular serious weight work outs, and, lots of sex.

There's the rub behind this matter: I went for testing out of a noticeable decline in libido and really, just a lack of interest in sex beyond the occasional J/O.

And even that isn't guaranteed to hold my interest. At least within the past couple of years, I've probably had sex all of a dozen times, at most.

Despite my bouts of exhibitionism here and there (lol) and my generally dirty mind, I've got a pretty low sex drive these days.

As for weight workouts, I'm tracking toward putting on a couple of inches on my shoulders and arms and chest with low rep/heavy weights to failure.

Which usually makes me extremely horny shortly after the workout, but not for too long, lol...

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Jul 13, 2011 11:45 PM GMT

MuchMoreThanMuscle saidYou could find another doctor. Ask around. Remember, doctors work for you.

The thing is, the normal range for testosterone levels is quite varied. If you are on the low end of normal you could have been on the high end of normal just several months ago, or however long you've noticed a decline in sex drive, etc. This means that this higher range of normal levels was adequate for you but could quite possibly mean that for some reason your current levels are not appropriate for you. The best way to gauge this is by doing a periodic test maybe once or twice a year to keep a record. A well trained doctor is cognizant of this.

If you only had one testosterone level test done who's to say that this one and only test result defines what your testosterone levels always were? What other test does this? Does a cholesterol test only need to be done once and then if it's okay, just leave it alone and not do it again? Of course not, cholesterol levels are usually checked at least annually.

Ask around and perhaps find a new doctor. Find one who is not so stringent and from your experience, someone with more experience/knowledge/competency.

This

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Jul 14, 2011 12:01 AM GMT

turbobilly saidOh shit! No steroids for you!!!

Well, maybe the internet will offer a solution?

lol... I'm not looking to "juice" to gain huge mass.

I just want to be able to fuck like a bunny if the opportunity presents itself - and otherwise be able to produce a normal amount of T.

If more mass is a side effect I won't complain, but that isn't my primary goal.

And I'll look up another doctor - the second opinion is a good thing ;)

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Jul 14, 2011 12:20 AM GMT

I had the same problem in the past (low sex drive). Had my testosterone checked and it was normal. I think with me it was stress and mild depression (common for people with HIV).

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Jul 14, 2011 12:25 AM GMT

alphatrigger said
BuddyinNYC said
alphatrigger said

Regular serious weight work outs, and, lots of sex.

There's the rub behind this matter: I went for testing out of a noticeable decline in libido and really, just a lack of interest in sex beyond the occasional J/O.

[...] I've got a pretty low sex drive these days.

As for weight workouts, I'm tracking toward putting on a couple of inches on my shoulders and arms and chest with low rep/heavy weights to failure.

Which usually makes me extremely horny shortly after the workout, but not for too long, lol...

Consider the existence (beginning) and impact of specific stresses in your life which correspond with the decrease of your libido. Workouts seem to relieve stress for lots of people. Once the workout is over, stress returns. Perhaps you can identify and then remedy the cause - effect (stress/low libido vs. workouts/horny) which will restore your libido.

Last year I asked a physician about T supplements, telling him that even though I was training hard and eating sufficiently I wasn't gaining the amount of lean muscle I thought I should be gaining. It was enough for him to hear that I was gaining very very slowly that he said T supplementation wasn't desirable for me. I thought about it, considered T supp's side affects such as testicular shrinkage, prostate problems, and irritability- so I gave up considering T supplementation.

I wish you the best in your situation!

LJay

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Jul 14, 2011 12:40 AM GMT

Sounds to me like you need to carefully tell your doc all that you have written here. Nevertheless, he may not advise supplements because he has a broader view of your health. If we could narrowly employ hormones in the way that certain magazine articles understand them, a lot of things would be different. Your idea to look into other ways to improve your situation sounds like a good one, but the doc may have to be pushed that way and you may have to consult others, even behavioral pros.

Sex twelve times in two years? I have heard of worse.

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Jul 14, 2011 12:44 AM GMT

Earlier this year, I started doing intense squats twice a week, and my T levels rose significantly within a few months to the top of the "normal" range for a guy in his early 30s (I'm 47).

On the downside, higher levels of testosterone don't automatically mean an increase in sex drive, if the issues are psychological (as mine are - breaking up with my partner after 13 years together has been hell!!).

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Jul 14, 2011 12:44 AM GMT

yep. about once every two months if it averaged out.

Lost a guy as a BF and a friend over it

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Jul 14, 2011 1:12 AM GMT

Just a thought- could it be due to a vitamin deficiency (zinc or something else)?

I once had a dermatologist that would always have his patients get blood tests. According to him some things were due to vitamin deficiencies and cured accordingly. Might it be similar with low T levels?

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Jul 14, 2011 2:18 AM GMT

I would suggest staying away from the testosterone supplements unless you really need it. If your testosterone isn't low, that may not be your problem. There are other factors involved. Supplementing testosterone has risks, such as increased chances for heart disease and prostate cancer.

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Jul 14, 2011 2:20 AM GMT

what bout test boosters such as axis ht, ZMA and Tribulis, i had great results using them, but they can get pricey, also nitrix put my libido waay up there, might be worth a look

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Jul 14, 2011 3:34 AM GMT

Johnnyhotsauce saidwhat bout test boosters such as axis ht, ZMA and Tribulis, i had great results using them, but they can get pricey, also nitrix put my libido waay up there, might be worth a look

Are these by prescription only?

And do they knock your natural testosterone production offline as a side effect?

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Jul 14, 2011 3:50 AM GMT

By the way, is it just your libido that is down? Or is your overall energy down? Because then it could be something like your thyroid. Just a thought.

Erikkkk

Posts: 285

Jul 14, 2011 4:00 AM GMT

Before starting any hormone therapies, obviously thyroid would need to be checked. And "0" is a normal testosterone level on some tests, and the absolute levels of testosterone don't matter as much as people experience different effects at different levels (no one amount provides the same effects across the population). You may benefit from testosterone therapy, to which I would recommend talking to a compounding pharmacy/pharmacist about, as they are usually experts on the subject --- personal experience as a pharmacist intern there. And we work closely with the docs and can make some awesome recommendations as well as save you lots of cash and wasted time.

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Jul 14, 2011 4:01 AM GMT

I have been on t therapy for three months
And feel great. I had one doc who absolutely would not prescribe so i got another doctor. I feel great,sex is thru the roof chest and arms are really beginning to pop.. Therapy also works on sugar and breaks down body fat. I got to the point i would go to the gym my mind was in ot but my body would not respond so i jad to go home. I am also seeing a endocronolgist to help pack on more muscle.

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Jul 14, 2011 4:16 AM GMT

so let me get this straight... your T levels are normal, but you're complaining because you want to get steroids to boost your levels because you think that will make you hornier because somehow your normal levels aren't enough and you think testosterone will magically fix that when it clearly isn't the problem to begin with?

as someone who was on medicine for a genuine problem with testosterone, i find people like you ridiculous. get viagra and shut it.

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Jul 14, 2011 4:26 AM GMT

surreallife has already mentioned it. Do you think you might be suffering from depression or a similar psychological condition?

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Jul 14, 2011 5:19 AM GMT

DudeInNOVA saidBy the way, is it just your libido that is down? Or is your overall energy down? Because then it could be something like your thyroid. Just a thought.

My energy levels seem pretty normal. It's mostly libido/overall sex drive.

Someone suggested checking with an endocrinologist, which I plan to look into.

@ Calibro: The doctor says I am at the low end of normal for my age group. Which as some folks upthread have pointed out, could be very subjective.

And trust me guy, I've used all three "magic pills" on the market.

They do work, but really are just a band-aid on a larger issue, like genuinely having a lack of interest in sex.

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Jul 14, 2011 5:24 AM GMT

introjock saidsurreallife has already mentioned it. Do you think you might be suffering from depression or a similar psychological condition?

It is possible. A few major life events over the past year and a half, some good, and others not so good. Though I'm generally not the type to wallow in self pity over things that don't go my way for very long. ;)

And a significant test of my faith on something at present, which I'll not get into on a public forum, lol.

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Jul 14, 2011 5:25 AM GMT

alphatrigger said
DudeInNOVA saidBy the way, is it just your libido that is down? Or is your overall energy down? Because then it could be something like your thyroid. Just a thought.

My energy levels seem pretty normal. It's mostly libido/overall sex drive.

Someone suggested checking with an endocrinologist, which I plan to look into.

Seeing an endocrinologist is probably your best bet. He/She can look at all of your levels and determine what is really going on. You may have to see several different ones before you find someone who will help you properly. Some will only treat you based on your tests, but the tests aren't always accurate. You need a doctor who will also look at your symptoms.

Good Luck! I really hope you feel better.

wild_sky360

Posts: 4088

Jul 14, 2011 5:50 AM GMT

You didn't mention if it was total T or Free T that was low normal. Free takes into account two other factors, but it's mostly the ratio to estrogen.

So you are on the right track, wondering about reducing estrogen. It is produced via aromatase in fat cells. It doesn't seem logical for aromatase to be increasing simultaneously with your improved body composition. But it is possible, because you're also approaching the age when it does tend to increase.

You mentioned interest in supplements to boost T and decrease E. So, let me ask if you are taking other herbals at this time, or around the time you noticed the decrease in libido?

Some of the herbals, or prescriptions too, for prostate health, or hair loss, can cause lowered or lost libido. They lower the most active form of testosterone, called DHT dihydrotestosterone. Too much DHT causes some problems with prostate swelling, scalp hair loss, acne. But it's also what gives you muscle growth and strong libido. Too little DHT can leave you feeling neutered.

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Jul 14, 2011 5:59 AM GMT

alphatrigger said
BuddyinNYC said
alphatrigger said

Regular serious weight work outs, and, lots of sex.

There's the rub behind this matter: I went for testing out of a noticeable decline in libido and really, just a lack of interest in sex beyond the occasional J/O.

And even that isn't guaranteed to hold my interest. At least within the past couple of years, I've probably had sex all of a dozen times, at most.

Despite my bouts of exhibitionism here and there (lol) and my generally dirty mind, I've got a pretty low sex drive these days.

As for weight workouts, I'm tracking toward putting on a couple of inches on my shoulders and arms and chest with low rep/heavy weights to failure.

Which usually makes me extremely horny shortly after the workout, but not for too long, lol...

Maybe you could change your workout routine to include squats and deadlifts. They may reset your endocrine system, balance it. Also the intensity and weights used matters too.
I can vouch for this, I feel like when I was 19-20.... just like the bunny from the energizer batteries commercial.... still going

There are ways to lower your testosterone levels before a test. I just heard, thus I don't really know if it's valid. Such as drink lots, don't sleep 2 nights before the test.
I don't promote or advocate taking testosterone supplements.

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So my doc told me my Testosterone levels are normal...