Low testosterone
Discussion
ruggedscotty said:
Mate had this - they foud a low sperm count - and traked it back to low testosterone..
seemingly they cant pump you with testosterone, it just doesnt work like that. So they usually treat it with a something else that has an effect on raising the testosterone. indirectly.
Yeah from my understanding adding testosterone causes the body to switch off or at least reduce its natural production of swimmers.seemingly they cant pump you with testosterone, it just doesnt work like that. So they usually treat it with a something else that has an effect on raising the testosterone. indirectly.
budgie smuggler said:
Yeah from my understanding adding testosterone causes the body to switch off or at least reduce its natural production of swimmers.
True, however, if you go private you will most likely be prescribed HCG along with your Testosterone so your boys will keep chugging along nicely - lots of stories of guys becoming Dad's whilst on Test and HCG.Another reason for avoiding the NHS as they do not recognise that treatment.
After much conversation with Optimale - I’m waiting to go and have my first blood test.
Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
For those advocating weight lifting for testosterone. It does raise serum levels, but it's transient. The same as watching porn, so it's not likely to provide any help.
Losing weight will help though, as overweight guys have significantly lower levels of testesosterone, which in turn actually makes them more likely to gain weight. So if you break that wretched cycle you'll be much happier.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25982085/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC39553...
Losing weight will help though, as overweight guys have significantly lower levels of testesosterone, which in turn actually makes them more likely to gain weight. So if you break that wretched cycle you'll be much happier.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25982085/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC39553...
Something interesting in both those abstracts. Thanks for posting them.
The first says treatment for low T can help reduce obesity by improving motivation and energy levels, which gets the patient exercising and eating well and therefore losing weight and thereby naturally increasing T level. Definition of a virtuous circle.
I’ll be honest this is what I am hoping I can use against a reluctant doctor who thinks counselling is the answer - whereas I reckon an external kick start to increase motivation and energy sounds more likely to be a goer.
The second says low-T treatment can exacerbate untreated sleep apnoea, so something very much to be aware of when undergoing low-T treatment.
As I wake up many times a night I’m keeping an open mind about sleep apnoea. But I wake up 20-30 times a night and I know I do - whereas I was under the impression that apnoea means you wake up many many times, but don’t realise it.
The first says treatment for low T can help reduce obesity by improving motivation and energy levels, which gets the patient exercising and eating well and therefore losing weight and thereby naturally increasing T level. Definition of a virtuous circle.
I’ll be honest this is what I am hoping I can use against a reluctant doctor who thinks counselling is the answer - whereas I reckon an external kick start to increase motivation and energy sounds more likely to be a goer.
The second says low-T treatment can exacerbate untreated sleep apnoea, so something very much to be aware of when undergoing low-T treatment.
As I wake up many times a night I’m keeping an open mind about sleep apnoea. But I wake up 20-30 times a night and I know I do - whereas I was under the impression that apnoea means you wake up many many times, but don’t realise it.
FNG said:
Something interesting in both those abstracts. Thanks for posting them.
The first says treatment for low T can help reduce obesity by improving motivation and energy levels, which gets the patient exercising and eating well and therefore losing weight and thereby naturally increasing T level. Definition of a virtuous circle.
I’ll be honest this is what I am hoping I can use against a reluctant doctor who thinks counselling is the answer - whereas I reckon an external kick start to increase motivation and energy sounds more likely to be a goer.
The second says low-T treatment can exacerbate untreated sleep apnoea, so something very much to be aware of when undergoing low-T treatment.
As I wake up many times a night I’m keeping an open mind about sleep apnoea. But I wake up 20-30 times a night and I know I do - whereas I was under the impression that apnoea means you wake up many many times, but don’t realise it.
With regard to sleep apnoea and waking up, it is a combination of actually waking up, probably going to the loo a lot (having OSA causes the body to release toxins which build up due to the low oxygen levels). Before I was treated I used to wake up frequently, but also stop breathing regularly. I felt absolutely shattered and would sleep (badly) at the drop of a hat.The first says treatment for low T can help reduce obesity by improving motivation and energy levels, which gets the patient exercising and eating well and therefore losing weight and thereby naturally increasing T level. Definition of a virtuous circle.
I’ll be honest this is what I am hoping I can use against a reluctant doctor who thinks counselling is the answer - whereas I reckon an external kick start to increase motivation and energy sounds more likely to be a goer.
The second says low-T treatment can exacerbate untreated sleep apnoea, so something very much to be aware of when undergoing low-T treatment.
As I wake up many times a night I’m keeping an open mind about sleep apnoea. But I wake up 20-30 times a night and I know I do - whereas I was under the impression that apnoea means you wake up many many times, but don’t realise it.
pidsy said:
After much conversation with Optimale - I’m waiting to go and have my first blood test.
Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
A slight thread bump. Many thanks to all the replies from everyone. Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
It’s a little comforting that some of the symptoms discussed here are what I’m feeling at the moment. With myself it’s absolute lack of motivation to do anything, even hit the gym etc. My attention at work is ok, could be better and I’m definitely very very irritable. I used to be so so chilled up and till a few years ago. Aged 39, 5’10 and 101kg. Would love to be 80kg’s again.
I’ve just got the ball rolling with Optimale today and will see where this leads.
Matt p said:
pidsy said:
After much conversation with Optimale - I’m waiting to go and have my first blood test.
Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
A slight thread bump. Many thanks to all the replies from everyone. Tried the finger prick test but couldn’t get enough blood out. Used both their (single use) lancets and a needle and still couldn’t bleed enough!
They’ve given me the veinous kit for nothing.
They’ve been very good in their discussion, help and advice so far.
It’s a little comforting that some of the symptoms discussed here are what I’m feeling at the moment. With myself it’s absolute lack of motivation to do anything, even hit the gym etc. My attention at work is ok, could be better and I’m definitely very very irritable. I used to be so so chilled up and till a few years ago. Aged 39, 5’10 and 101kg. Would love to be 80kg’s again.
I’ve just got the ball rolling with Optimale today and will see where this leads.
I cannot fault their contact and help so far. I’ve been dealing with Tom - I have asked many stupid questions and he’s been happy to explain everything.
pidsy said:
2nd veinous test is next Monday.
I cannot fault their contact and help so far. I’ve been dealing with Tom - I have asked many stupid questions and he’s been happy to explain everything.
Good luck chap, I hope they can get you back on the road to normality. I cannot fault their contact and help so far. I’ve been dealing with Tom - I have asked many stupid questions and he’s been happy to explain everything.
I’ve ordered the online lancet kit, will see how it goes and hopefully get to the bottom of what’s going on with myself.
Update: got a reply from the consultant stating second blood test still shows a low figure but he doesn't say what it is, or if it's stable / increasing / decreasing.
Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
Legacywr said:
What's this? 
Copied from interwebs SHBG stands for sex hormone binding globulin. It's a protein made by the liver and attaches itself to sex hormones found in both men and women. These hormones are: Testosterone, the main sex hormone in men. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), another male sex hormone.
FNG said:
Update: got a reply from the consultant stating second blood test still shows a low figure but he doesn't say what it is, or if it's stable / increasing / decreasing.
Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
Condolences regarding the passing of your mother. Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
As you say it’s been a long process, however there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel for you
Hope all goes well with the consultant.
Matt p said:
Legacywr said:
What's this?
Copied from interwebs SHBG stands for sex hormone binding globulin. It's a protein made by the liver and attaches itself to sex hormones found in both men and women. These hormones are: Testosterone, the main sex hormone in men. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), another male sex hormone.
Some GPs are clueless when it comes to male hormones and don't always include SHBG in their blood test schedule. So you might need to request it specifically as it's not part of a standard 'full blood count'.
FNG said:
Update: got a reply from the consultant stating second blood test still shows a low figure but he doesn't say what it is, or if it's stable / increasing / decreasing.
Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
Good news you've got a scan coming up, I was thinking, gosh that was quick! Then realised it's private. Says the results suggest the pituitary gland is not responding to low-T, so has ordered an MRI scan next Tuesday... that sadly clashes with my mother in law's funeral. Waiting for another appointment which they reckon will be October...
Next consultant appointment is mid-September and he will be discussing treatment then either by gel or injection.
We are getting there slowly, but it is slowly. Long time to wait from GP diagnosis and I'm sure other sectors and regions of the NHS have much longer wait times.
So all I can say is if you have the means, do as others have recommended in this thread and go private straight away. If I had the means I'd be doing that myself even now, as I bet I'd be under treatment sooner even starting from scratch privately now, than starting via NHS a few months ago.
I too have a head injury, however my pituitary gland is functioning ok apparently. There's another blood test they do to confirm 100% that the gland is functioning. I can't recall (poor memory
) the medication you're meant to take, but you take some medication at a certain time and they measure the reaction of the gland. When I had this, I felt awful the next day and could barely drive! So watch out if you do that test.. Hope you get some answers soon op
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