http://www.elitefitness.com/forum en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:09:02 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/images/EliteFitness/misc/rss.jpg http://www.elitefitness.com/forum http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/hormone-replacement-therapy-673225.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:28:30 GMT Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles and is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. Testosterone is also important for maintaining muscle bulk, adequate... testosterone is a hormone produced by the s and is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. testosterone is also important for maintaining muscle bulk, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone density, sense of well-being, and sexual and reproductive function.
Inadequate testosterone production is not a common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). When ED does occur with decreased testosterone production, testosterone replacement therapy may improve the ED.
What causes testosterone deficiency?


As a man ages, the amount of testosterone in his body gradually declines. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues throughout life. The significance of this decline is controversial and poorly understood. Among other potential causes of testosterone deficiency are:

• injury or infection to the s
• chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
• genetic abnormalities such as Klinefelter’s Syndrome (extra x chromosome)
• hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
• dysfunction of the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that produces many important hormones)
• medications, including hormone analogues used to treat prostate cancer and steroids
• chronic illness
• cirrhosis of the liver
• chronic renal (kidney) failure
• AIDS
• inflammatory disease such as sarcoidosis (a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs and other organs)
• stress
• alcoholism
• congenital conditions, Kallman’s Syndrome (low hormones, inability to smell and other abnormalities)

What are the symptoms of testosterone deficiency?


Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include the following:

• decreased sex drive
• decreased sense of well-being
• depressed mood
• difficulties with concentration and memory
• erectile dysfunction

What are the changes that occur in the body with testosterone deficiency?


Changes that occur with testosterone deficiency include:

• a decrease in muscle mass, with an increase in body fat
• variable effects on cholesterol metabolism
• a decrease in hemoglobin and possibly mild anemia
• fragile bones (osteoporosis)
• a decrease in body hair

How do I find out if I have a testosterone deficiency?

The only accurate way to detect the condition is to have your doctor measure the amount of testosterone in your blood. It sometimes may take several measurements of testosterone to be sure if a patient has a deficiency, since levels of testosterone tend to fluctuate throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning. This is why doctors prefer, if possible, to obtain early morning levels of testosterone.
What options are available for testosterone replacement?

The options available for testosterone replacement are:

• intramuscular injections, generally every week for balanced blood levels
• testosterone patches worn either on the body or on the (the sac that contains the s). These patches are used daily. The body patch application is rotated between the buttocks, arms, back or abdomen.
• testosterone gels that are applied daily to the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen.

Each of these options provides adequate levels of hormone replacement. Each has side effects and advantages and disadvantages. Intramuscular injections produce wider swings in hormone concentration, with higher levels shortly after the injection and lower levels just before the next injection is due. They may also produce increases in blood cell count that are higher than normal.
The body patches may produce skin irritation in a significant number of men, requiring discontinuation of the patch. The gels require care in making sure that the hormone is not accidentally transferred to another person or partner.
There are currently no pills available in the United States that provide adequate levels of hormone replacement. In addition, oral medications may produce liver abnormalities and are to be avoided.
The choice of hormone replacement therapy is best made with a thorough discussion between a patient and his physician

Who shouldn’t take testosterone replacement therapy?


testosterone replacement therapy may stimulate growth of the prostate. If early prostate cancer is present, testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. Therefore, men who have prostate cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. It is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy.
Although it is a rare condition, men who have breast cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy.
What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?


In general, hormone replacement therapy is safe. It is associated with some side effects, including:

• acne or oily skin
• mild fluid retention
• stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as decreased stream or frequency
• breast enlargement
• worsening of sleep apnea (a sleep disorder that results in frequent night time awakenings and daytime sleepiness)
• decreased testicular size

Many of these side effects are not common.

Laboratory abnormalities that can occur with hormone replacement include:

• changes in cholesterol concentrations
• increase in red cell count
• decrease in sperm count, producing infertility (especially in younger men)

If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with your physician are important. ]]> theemperor http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/hormone-replacement-therapy-673225.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/deep-shit-advice-needed-673143.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:49 GMT Hi guys
I'm 33 and took Propecia for hair loss fior a few years with in retrospect sides of ed, low libido and brain fog. Last year I cycled on and off the stuff a couple of times which might have made things worse, was self-medicating, before finally a two month run at the end of last year put me in hell.

Basically I had depression and poor libido then, when quitting on finally realising why, stopped the stuff and 'crashed' three weks later with awful ED and fatigue, insomnia, muscle wastage. Lost a stone in two months, put it back on in abdominal fat.

I am trying to get TRT, here are my last bloods:

Total Test: 10.36 (scale 10-36)
sex hormone binding globulin : 23 (6-45)
lh - leutenizing hormone - 3.4 (1-12)
FSH - follicle stimulating hormone - 2.5 (1-12)
TSH 1.2 (0.2-5)
Free t4 15 (9-21)
Prolactin 116 (0-500)
Serum b12 204 (155-1100)
Cortisol 218 (280-720)

Anything stand out as to why I'm so ed with muscle loss and total ed? What should I do next? ]]> finasterided http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/deep-shit-advice-needed-673143.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/low-test-level-after-long-long-long-cycle-673057.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:07:12 GMT So the other day I took some blood test and my total test was 254 which is low, I am 35 years old. I had been taking test for close to 4 years straight going from as little as 100 to 200 mg in 6... So the other day I took some blood test and my total test was 254 which is low, I am 35 years old. I had been taking test for close to 4 years straight going from as little as 100 to 200 mg in 6 month intervals. So I decided to get off for good and took my last injection on march 1st of 2009 and started Clomid and hcg. The question is will the test level continue to increase or not. I feel good, erections are "ok" but deadly with Cialis. My sexual drive (libido) is not entirely there but don't get me wrong as its certainly there just wish it would be a little better. Does anyone here have experience with coming off long cycles and test recovery? Could the test levels still rise? I really have no baseline on what my test level was before, just know my libido was better.

Its now been 8 months since I have taken my last injection.

Cholesterol is fine and with in range, BP is fine and no other abnormalities found. ]]> steroids4me http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/low-test-level-after-long-long-long-cycle-673057.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/check-out-forum-673013.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:08:23 GMT http://www.needtobuildmuscle.net/forum/ it kicks ass, going to be a big name.. Sign up and give it a try.. please put ArmaniAK47 in the referral box and rep me also =P http://www.needtobuildmuscle.net/forum/

it kicks ass, going to be a big name..

Sign up and give it a try..

please put ArmaniAK47 in the referral box and rep me also =P ]]> ArmaniAK47 http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/check-out-forum-673013.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/just-got-my-test-results-back-672943.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:55:37 GMT I am 37 yrs old.,I have been clean from cycling for 2 yrs. now.I started cycling back in 2000,and did about 2 cycles per year,until about 2006.I ran mostly moderate cycles(500mg test per week,or less... I am 37 yrs old.,I have been clean from cycling for 2 yrs. now.I started cycling back in 2000,and did about 2 cycles per year,until about 2006.I ran mostly moderate cycles(500mg test per week,or less for 8 weeks).I had my test levels checked back in 2001,shortly after a cycle,and tested at 120.Now I just had them tested after a 2 yr. layoff,and they came back at 269.Should I be happy with that?Or should I try to suppress my levels,and get retested so I can go on TRT?I really don't like the idea of being on the low end of the "NORMAL" range.I was really hoping my levels were low enough to start TRT.Where do most doctors like to see there their patients,as far as levels go when on TRT?I guess my question is,would I benefit by going on TRT,if I could get my levels down enough? ]]> KQguy http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/just-got-my-test-results-back-672943.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/high-rbc-doc-stopped-hrt-672833.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:52:45 GMT A little high on the red blood cells and Doc cut me off for a while. 3 weeks cold turkey and Im feeling it. Going to get my blood work done tommorrow so hoping the RBC is down so I can get back on... A little high on the red blood cells and Doc cut me off for a while. 3 weeks cold turkey and Im feeling it. Going to get my blood work done tommorrow so hoping the RBC is down so I can get back on and start feeling myself again.

Heres my blood work numbers. You experts out there take a look and tell me what you think. I'm always looking for ways to improve my numbers (if ya know what I mean.. :))

White BC 7.4 (3.8 - 10.8 Thou/uL)

Red BC 6.05 (4.20 - 5.80 Mill/uL)

Hemoglobin 18.1 (13.2 - 17.1 g/dl)

Hematocrit 53.2 (38.5 - 50.0 %)

TSH 1.53 (0.40 - 4.50 mIU/L)

IGF-1 204 (106 - 255 mg/mL)

Estradiol 24 (13 - 54 pg/mL)

Test Tot 1197

Free (Percent) 2.86

Free 342.3

Chol, Tot 168

HDL 28 (low)

LDL 124

Triglyc 82

Chol/HDLC Ratio 6.0


Hows everything look? ]]> Malinois http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/high-rbc-doc-stopped-hrt-672833.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/injecting-high-doses-hgh-intramuscular-heard-672605.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:15:08 GMT What are you're thoughts? Anybody do this? What is the advantage and I heard a member doing this yesterday. ]]> Wootooom http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/injecting-high-doses-hgh-intramuscular-heard-672605.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/blood-test-says-dhea-low-672011.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:26:15 GMT Just had bloodwork & my dhea levels are 88 L ug/dL (normal range is 95-530). I have been on Avodart for 4 yrs, could this affect dhea levels ? Should this be addressed ? How ? ps. serum test level was 673 ng/dL & I am 44yo. ]]> split endz http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/blood-test-says-dhea-low-672011.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/sublingual-oral-test-671777.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:07 GMT Anyone here used or using sublingual drops or troche ? How does it compare to topical test ? Anyone here used or using sublingual drops or troche ? How does it compare to topical test ? ]]> split endz http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/sublingual-oral-test-671777.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/help-dosing-after-reconstitution-671393.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:26:26 GMT Hi, Im on HRT getting Test-E, Deca, HCG, and GH. My first vial of GH ran out, and Im almost out of my HCG, so reconstituted the GH this morning and will do HCG in a few days. 5.8 GH....after... Hi, Im on HRT getting Test-E, deca, hcg, and gh. My first vial of gh ran out, and Im almost out of my hcg, so reconstituted the gh this morning and will do hcg in a few days.

5.8 gh....after reconstituting its 5mg/mL concentration. Now how do I break this down into 4iu a day with a slin pin?

The gear is easy, the gh and hcg Ill admit Im a newbie and confused about reconstituting, then taking the mg/mL of product, and then figuring out how to measure out iu's in correlation to the numbers on the slin pins? I read a newbie thread on dosing here, but I guess Im an extra dunce in figuring out the math.

A nurse reconstituted the first bottle with 3mL, even though the directions on the package insert say 1mL....they had different brands at the office and I think were out of the cheaper one, so gave me this, but I think they mixed it as if it was the other brand...unless they intentionally make it a way more diluted solution for a particular reason??

I reconstituted it at the company's directions say, so I know its 5mg/mL....yes Im bad with math and cant remember chemistry class and units of measurement...can someone explain to me how as I move forward with gh and hcg how to figure out my doses after reconstitution?

the doctor only marked on the sheet "fill it to the 10 mark"...not even an iu dosage...

Thanks! ]]> Power36 http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/help-dosing-after-reconstitution-671393.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/statin-interactions-671303.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:50:41 GMT my family doc put me on a statin to help reduce my chlosteral levels and have been on them 4 a month now. i just wondered if anyone heard of any weird side effects or inter actions with the other... my family doc put me on a statin to help reduce my chlosteral levels and have been on them 4 a month now.
i just wondered if anyone heard of any weird side effects or inter actions with the other drugs from my other HRT doc which are test.150 per week,armimadex,and hcg. ]]> studentoflife http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/statin-interactions-671303.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/femara-arimidex-reduce-e2-671221.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:08:59 GMT ... ... ]]> kvncooper http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/femara-arimidex-reduce-e2-671221.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/typical-hrt-question-concern-667061.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:26:54 GMT my wifes step father is currently undergoing an hrt...and we are worried because the man has 10 vials of i believe 10ml and that seems to be way tooo much...is it and should we be concerned about he... my wifes step father is currently undergoing an hrt...and we are worried because the man has 10 vials of i believe 10ml and that seems to be way tooo much...is it and should we be concerned about he is obtaining that much...thankyou very very much ]]> Dav1dELL http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/typical-hrt-question-concern-667061.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/no-libido-trt-pls-help-666791.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:04:07 GMT Hi Guys,
I'm a 37 yr old newbie in alot of trouble...Hope someone out there has some good suggestions.Brief history is as follows:Use of various anabolics from age 24 to 30.Hypogonadism as a result.
-Hormone replacement therapy as of age 30,100mg of Test Cypionate weekly.
-Everything was fine and a high drive up until I started using M1T back in spring 2007.Honestly I took it for about 6 months straight.Things have NEVER gone back to normal,even with the weekly RT.I have seen a urologist and am currently running extensive tests with an expert in endocrinology.My test and free test is in the normal range.However my DHEA,lh - leutenizing hormone - and FSH - follicle stimulating hormone - are virtually at zero.My prolactin is near the upper limit.I am frustrated and my wife is fed up.I have occasional night erections which disappear upon waking.No daytime erections and no drive whatsoever.I go for months with no sex or self-sex.levitra etc is useless as there is no drive behind it.I am desperate to go back to normal.I was thinking of ordering this product by Dr.Ray Sahelian called PassionRX.Has any one tried it?
Any ideas? THANX! ]]> whalen72 http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/no-libido-trt-pls-help-666791.html http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/enough-arimidex-666429.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:42:11 GMT my doc started me on 150 test. cypionate once a week and one 1mg capsule of arimidex 2 times a week. is that nearly enough? my doc started me on 150 test. cypionate once a week and one 1mg capsule of Arimidex 2 times a week.
is that nearly enough? ]]> studentoflife http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/life-extension-andropause-masters-bodybuilding/enough-arimidex-666429.html