FOH Medical: Does TRT make a difference?

[El Presidente]

My trainer started on TRT once he hit 40 and swears by it. My Physio recommended I go on it if I want to maintain (he politely means slow down) muscle loss into my 60's. I am not quite there yet  Mind you, the bastard said it was the first thing he was going to do once he reached 35. 

I know many on FOH exercise seriously and are in their 40's through 70's.  It crossed my mind to ask the question.  Those who are on TDT, have you found it to have made a positive difference to your training regimen/life? 

Would love members input on actual outcomes. 

 

 

 

[GoodStix]

Great question. I’m very interested in learning too.

[ha_banos]

I've stumbled across this, early 50s here. Overweight (95kg@175cm). Still matching PRs in my 1RM lifts from 5-6 years ago at the moment. My running has gone downhill. But then I barely run these days! 1m15s down on my 1 mile time 😭🤣 

I quickly convinced myself TRT was snakeoil. Measured my levels last blood test which were 'normal for age'  Left it at that..... am i missing out on a miracle!?

I've now given up on supplements altogether. Am pain and medicine free though, so maybe im doing something right...? 

 

[MagicalBikeRide]

I keep fit (run 30-50km and lift 3x p/w) but have never considered TRT. Always figured that there are other aspects of my life that I should sort before I’d see the true risk / benefit play out (better diet, less booze, more sleep, etc). 

Take vitamin D tabs, drink lots of black coffee and have a high protein / high meat content diet. That’s about it for now. 
 

p.s. I once read on a sign that Guinness is good for your iron levels, so that gets a pass - right? 

[BrightonCorgi]

You have to start off with a hormone panel at a minimum and see where your values are before a recommendation can be made.  Also checking arteries, cholesterol, etc.

If you are a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, Testopel is the best therapy offered.  Otherwise it would be weekly injections or daily pills.  Pills don't have as high an adsorption rate and need to be taken religiously on time.  Shots are shots and can spike your testosterone levels and can lead to back acne.  Testopel is also an injection of pellets, every 10-12 weeks and provides a smooth release of testosterone. 

Keep in mind a men's health specialist in TRT are aiming to get all your blood values in a healthy range, not make you Dorian Yates. 

[Russell]

I’m in my late thirties and have been on TRT for almost 4 years now. We started off with a lifestyle assessment and got multiple blood panels done. First to see what my total and free testosterone & estrogen levels were, also to see if anything else was effecting my levels internally, and LASTLY to make sure I’d be a good candidate for TRT. We found that I was especially low for my age and a viable candidate so I started with injections.

i inject twice a week because we found that doing a weekly injection was thickening (laymen term) my blood too fast (a side effect of TRT for some).

My hemocrit levels still get high, but not as fast. And the remedy for that is just donating blood every three months - which is a win win.

For me, the benefits out weigh the side effects by far, and has really changed my life for the better. I am an advocate of TRT for anyone who asks me about it, but I always urge them to do their own research and to consult professionals.

[BrightonCorgi]

6 minutes ago, Russell said:

My hemocrit levels still get high

If it's over 50% you cannot ride the Tour de France 😃

[Ford2112]

I grew 3 inches reading this post. 

[SCgarman]

24 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

I grew 3 inches reading this post. 

In which direction? 😆

[BrightonCorgi]

My friend went into a men's health clinic thinking he had low T.  Had all the symptoms and ran tests.  He came back with normal T levels and they said he was in depression.  Wasn't the low T causing his depression, just bitchy girlfriend that he dumped and is loving life now.  Importance of getting tested to know what in your life needs the focus.

[Ford2112]

4 hours ago, SCgarman said:

In which direction? 😆

The right direction my man.

[benfica_77]

 

[benfica_77]

Fast forward to minute 5 if you want to get to the Low T / TRT stuff 

[BoliDan]

Your trainer thinking he's losing muscle, due to old age, at 35 has me tickled. 

[El Presidente]

10 minutes ago, BoliDan said:

Your trainer thinking he's losing muscle, due to old age, at 35 has me tickled. 

That was Alex my Physiotherapist.  Like the song "Down Under" .......he is 6 Ft 4 and full of muscle. 

[Rushman]

I had a pituitary tumor removed (the easy way) when I was in my late 20’s. It had grown for a decade and had starved off my pit gland for years but I had gotten used to it as normal.
 

I’ve been on hormone replacement including Test since the mid 90’s. Started with injections in early days have been on cell for close to 2 decades. 

only wanted to add this. I can’t speak to TRT in this context although I can really tell when I get lazy and don’t do it daily. 
 

I feel the gel daily is more “normal” than the shot was - I was taking a huge shot every two weeks  

 

 

[benfica_77]

You don't want big spikes of T a constant dose is the best for you

[benfica_77]

 

[Ford2112]

I want that man to put his shirt back on.

[Chitmo]

Nah, I’ll stick to guiness protein shakes and a cigar after my run. The only difference between medicine and poison is dose. Too tempting to overdo such a thing. I can still wear size 32 jeans so I’ll stick to my routine I think.