Low T (testosterone)

[PondPopper]

They've been jacking with women's hormones for decades.

And we all know how that's turned out...!!!

[Gunnyart]

and their hormones have been jacking with us for decades

x2

[Texas Stalker]

Injections here. Been doing it for two years. One of the best decisions I've ever made. Eat right, exercise regularly, and the shots has changed my life for the better. All positive to say about it. A lot of the reason folks have problems with ups and downs or not working is because they prescribe it all wrong. For instance, Test Cyp has a half life of like 6-7 days. From the moment you take that shot till taking the next shot your test levels decline. The key is to keep your test levels up. When you are taking a shot twice a month your t level is like a roller coaster. Starting high then in the tank by the time you take your next shot. Doesn't make a lick of since. And also some dr.s don't prescribe enough T. Here's why. When you start taking testosterone supplementation after a little while it will make your normal levels your body produce significantly decline. So yeah your numbers may be at around 800 starting out but if the dr is only prescribing "just enough" to get you up and only twice a month your basically pizzing in the wind by the time your body backs off on producing its own T. A GOOD Dr. That has lots of experience in hormone replacement knows this. Heck I drive an hour to see my Dr just because I know he knows what he's doing. Like I said...it's been awesome. Best shape I've been in my life and life just seems a little easier. With what my levels were at I should have been a 70 year old man. And as for natural or synthetic. It's all made in a lab. It's all synthetic. If somebody tells you it's natural ask them who's vein it was pumped from. Just my experience and thorough research speaking.

[Texas Stalker]

Longest post I've ever made lol./\/\/\

[Gunnyart]

I'm not knocking it. I can't attest to it doing much for me personally.
My Dr did say that the T level considered "normal" is based on a 25 year old man. It's natural for it to decline with age. The long term effects are the big question. Once they are fully understood will we still think it was a good idea?
I don't know.

[Brute Killer]

I was on the injections for a while, then got the Testapel implant in my hip. I broke out with bad acne all over.
Not on it anymore.
I'm 46.

[Burnadell]

Do any of you have concerns about testosterone injections possibly creating cancer risks? My doctor believes it can heighten the risk, especially prostate cancer.

[icetrauma]

Do any of you have concerns about testosterone injections possibly creating cancer risks? My doctor believes it can heighten the risk, especially prostate cancer.

I do worry about some of the increased risk. Also take in family medical history when starting and continuing any type of medical therapy.

[PondPopper]

Do any of you have concerns about testosterone injections possibly creating cancer risks? My doctor believes it can heighten the risk, especially prostate cancer.

Yep. This is exactly why I quit.
My dad had prostate cancer so I was already a high risk for the same.
Being on T replacement made my chances go through the roof.....
It just wasn't worth the risk and worry... I'm doing fine without it.
I'm 50.

[ted_kennedys_liver]

Do any of you have concerns about testosterone injections possibly creating cancer risks? My doctor believes it can heighten the risk, especially prostate cancer.

One of the requirements I had as part of it was yearly prostate exams and a blood test every 6 months, which included psa levels as well as tons of other things. You are to donate blood every 6 months as well due to increased red bod cell count (ie - stroke). That alone gives reason for concern. A lot of the test replacement clinics don't have near as rigorous monitoring procedures. Just load a person up with test and hgh.

Unfortunately none of this prevents cancer and the other issues - just allows you to catch it early.

[Coach W]

WebMD
However, there is also evidence of an increased risk of heart attack or stroke associated with testosterone use. Experts emphasize that the benefits and risks of long-term testosterone therapy are unknown, because large clinical trials haven't yet been done.

There are a few health conditions that experts believe testosterone therapy can worsen:

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH): The prostate grows naturally under the stimulation of testosterone. For many men, their prostates grow larger as they age, squeezing the tube carrying urine (urethra). The result is difficulty urinating. This condition, benign prostatic hypertrophy, can be made worse by testosterone therapy.
Prostate cancer: Testosterone can stimulate prostate cancer to grow. Most experts recommend screening for prostate cancer before starting testosterone replacement. Men with prostate cancer or elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) should probably avoid testosterone treatment.
Sleep apnea: This condition can be worsened by testosterone replacement. It may be difficult for a man to detect this himself, but his sleeping partner can often tell. A sleep study (polysomnography) may be needed to make the diagnosis.
Blood clots: The FDA requires that testosterone replacement products carry a warning about the risk of blood clots in veins. This could increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism , a potentially life threatening clot that occurs in the lungs. Products already carried a warning about the risk of blood clots due to polycythemia, an abnormal rise in the number of red blood cells that sometimes occurs with testosterone treatment. Now the warning is more general to include men who don't have polycythemia.
Congestive heart failure: Men with severe congestive heart failure should usually not take testosterone replacement, as it can worsen the condition.
It will be years before large clinical trials bring any answers on the long-term benefits and risks of testosterone therapy. As with any medicine, the decision on whether the possible benefits outweigh any risks is up to you and your doctor.

That's what I'm seeing.. i don't have any or history of those things.. so I opted for. As it states at this point is all just conjecture. The earth was flat at one time so who knows. What I know is I feel better so I'm going for it. If I lived in fear I'd never drive, have a beer, or go outside. The sun causes skin cancer you know.. proven fact.

[Jeremy_S]

From my point of view, I'd rather live a shorter fulfilling life than a long bad one. I'm only 37, had a blood test done at 35 to see what was going on with me because for 2 years I'd been depressed, gaining weight, had absolutely zero desire for sex, and just really didn't care about anything. That going from being in shape, very active, outdoors all the time, 12 years of Marine Corps, 5 years of roughnecking, and then it was like it all just STOPPED.

My tests came back with me having the hormone levels of a post menopausal woman, seriously. I started injections immediately, have been on them for 16 months now, within a month I felt normal again and I wouldn't stop them for anything. 250mg a week makes me normal and if that means I take a few years off my life, so be it. I'd rather live till 60 and enjoy life than make it to 80 and be as miserable as I used to be for another 43 years.

[kashmoney]

Just got back from first visit. Number was at 232.

Got another appointment tomorrow to check levels again and discuss if I want to do treatment of not.

[AgBass01]

Had my levels checked again after having the pellets done a month ago. I went from 120 to 540.

[helim83]

I went to see my doctor a while back. Said you got to run some tests or something, I just had no desire to do anything but sleep. Determined I had elevated liver enzymes....so I jumped on the ol Google machine.

Bad Move....

So Doc set me up for an ultrasound (good news, I'm not pregnant,lol), and didn't find anything abnormal. Which is good, because I sure do work that little guy hard!!! Second round of blood testing and Low T, and vitamin D deficient. So I'm prescribed the injections and 1000 IU's of vitamin D.

The first injection was done at the doctors office. The second time around, I thought to heck with paying the $20 co-pay, I'll just do it at the house. Bought some needles ($.25)and did it at the house last week. No problems.

I have seen a difference, I'm not fighting to stay awake throughout the day. I still do not want to get out of bed in the morning, but once I do, I'm good to go.