Going in for bloodwork next week.. need advice

[legbuh]

I am 38. 6'3" and 245-250lbs. I stumbled upon TRT/HRT by accident in another forum. I didn't even know what it was. But after reading so many people say "it made me feel like a new man" I became very interested.

I'm lactose intolerant and do consume a large amount of soy (in the form of Silk and soy protein for my shakes). So along with T, I want E tested too.

I can get 10 hours of sleep and still be tired. No motivation to do stuff (even go on vacation to Hawaii!). sore joints, hard gainer, waist and "chest" fat that I've had for years that won't go away no matter what I do. Takes a lot to get me horny (unless I'm drinking, then it's easier). I also want to "want" to play with my kids, roll around outside, go for walks, bike rides with them, etc.. but I just don't have the gumption.

The only time I feel "good" is when I'm drinking or working out. And just getting started working out takes a lot of willpower (but I'm always happy I do).

I do weights 2-3 times a week, and cardio (intervals on the treadmill) 2-3 times a week. Usually 4-5 sessions a week. In the past 3 years I've put on weight. Some muscle, some fat. But I've stagnated and plateaued big time. I do change things up often, but I seem stuck (and not even and that much weight.. for example, bench I'm stuck at 215 for sets of 10, 9, then 6-7). It is the most I've ever lifted, but still, I would think after a couple years I'd go higher. I got to that weight quickly, though.

So that's my story. I plan on walking in, telling the doc I've read about HRT/TRT and became interested since I have a lot of the symptoms others had before going on it, and that I want to get my blood work done. Is that the right way to approach? I don't want to go in acting dumb like I don't know what HRT/TRT is... I want to go in and express that I too want to feel like "a new man" and find out if low T is my problem.

Edit: I should also add I've had IBS for a few years now too... I've read some correlation between that and low T. Anyone have similar results where TRT helped this? also, I hate eating in the morning..

 

[tomw]

Talk to your M.D. about hrt when asking about blood test,this will let you know how he/she feels about the tx.and if they are predisposed against it or open to it.AS far as IBS I don't know but eating in the am is very important,skipping breakfast will slow metabalism make losing fat while maintaining solid mass very dificult

 

[legbuh]

I do try to eat in the morning. I'm hungry, but have no desire to eat. Usually it's a couple eggs on toast (with ketchup.. gotta make it more palatable) or a bowl of cereal (shreaded wheat, life, even kashi once in a while).

This weekend had a few friends over and a friend of a friend showed up. We were talking turns out she's a nurse at the clinic I'm going to. I asked if she knew my GP and she said ya, great guy. I then mentioned what I was going in for next week and she looked at me like "ha! no way in hell". I asked why she thought that way and she said the docs at the clinic aren't as liberal as most in "bigger communities". I also think she thinks I'm in my 20s.. I do have boyish features.. lol.. I tell people I'm 38 and they're shocked. Must be because I haven't been able to grow a beard my whole life.. lol..

Anyhow, I hope things go well. Otherwise I'm going to start asking around town for hopefully a more "open" doctor. But only if my T levels come back low. If they're at least midway as I said, I'll look elsewhere.

 

[goin on 4T]

I would not start out that way with your dr. I would tell him the symptoms and see which way he goes, the goal is to get the tests done, he will not commit to anything regardless. So you should be knowledgeable in the tests that you think need to be taken so that nothing is missed the first time.

 

[Dopamineloveaffair]

It sounds like you may benefit from TRT based on your symptoms, and lack of beard growth. Although the beard growth isn't completely indicitive.

I'd suggest getting some blood work, then go from there. If your numbers are and your doctor is uncooperative, then I'd get a second opinion.

Good luck!

 

[legbuh]

Should I lift the week of my test? What about the day of, or a couple days before? Would that artificially elevate my T levels?

 

[Tatyana]

I would also recommend that you get a thyroid function test.

 

[liquid1234]

I would also recommend that you get a thyroid function test.

I agree, all of these symptoms might be because you are hypothyroid!
good luck
Liquid

 

[thelion2005]

It sounds like you may benefit from TRT based on your symptoms, and lack of beard growth. Although the beard growth isn't completely indicitive.

I'd suggest getting some blood work, then go from there. If your numbers are and your doctor is uncooperative, then I'd get a second opinion.

Good luck!

Start with the blood testings.
And remember that a truely comprehensive HRT program starts with diet. For me that is ... lowering all sugars and upping all proteins and veggies.

 

[legbuh]

I already eat fairly clean already. I don't drink pop, coffee, or eat sweets (well, maybe a cookie or a couple graham crackers now and then). Sugar and caffiene jack me up way to fast and make me feel out of control (brain wise). All I drink is water, flavored mineral water, and now powerade zero once in a while when water gets old. And during UFC fights beer. I sip a scotch and water now and then too. Also, no dairy except for cheese (but very little, and cottage cheese at night) and yogurt now and then when I want something sweet. these two things don't seem to bother my lactose intollerance.

Just ate supper, and sat down to play with the girls (had scrambled eggs, sausage links and toast). Fell right asleep on the armchair.. lol.. happens every time!

Still wondering if I should work out as normal this week. Test is on thursday. I just got over a weekend stomach bug so I maybe could use a few rest days anyhow.

 

[legbuh]

Curious, in all the threads I've read, this is the first one I've seen people mention also checking thydroid as well.

Anyhow, I'm sticking to my normal routine. Workouts and all. Today was funny since I was trying to think about how to describe the feeling of "cloudiness" in my head. Once I started working out it was like my head went "above the clouds" and I felt better (but not as good as I did a year or two ago when I started working out again). But slowly it sank back down into the clouds. Hard to explain.

so then today I watched some porn on the net.. lol.. same feeling, only stronger *almost too much) and lasted longer. I'm not big into porn, but I was curious about triggering more T to be made on my own and how I would feel. Just trying things out.

So, I would be curious to hear from others with that had "low libido" and got on TRT/HRT if watching porn gave you a temp fix or not. May sound weird, but just looking for ideas.

 

[legbuh]

Well, finally got to go in today. My doctor asked what I wanted, I explained. He asked me pretty much every question that I was going to mention (sleeping, tired, motivation, sexual function, etc). He said on top of Test he wanted to check thydroid, liver, etc.. etc.. but he said test sounds like a big possibility.

He also was concerned about my sleeping, and happy to hear I had already done a sleep study and ruled out sleep apnea. He said falling asleep on a whim was odd (I did mention it was mainly after meals) and just in case everything from blood came back good scheduled an appt with nuerology. He explained it would be 4 months before I'd be able to get in anyhow, so if bloodwork came back with something then we could just cancel that.

He seemed really open to the idea of the possibility of low test. They drew 4 vials of blood and I went home. Not a bad experience at all.

 

[Tatyana]

Cloudy head is also a symptom of hypothryoidism.

Your doctor may be open to low testosterone, but he will work with the lab results.

 

[legbuh]

I understand that and stated he's also checking thyroid. What I was trying to express was he didn't shoot down the idea like I've heard a lot do. He seemed very willing to help no matter what the problem is.

 

[goin on 4T]

Yeah it is amazing when you see the right dr. how easy it can all be.

 

[legbuh]

I haven't decided if it's easy yet. He just seemed willing to listen and help. He's always been a good GP. I could tell not a lot of people see him for this though.

I joked that "I thought this was only for women. you know.. menopause" and he laughed and said "nope, happens to men too, and even some women need more testosterone." I said "ya.. what is it.. andropause or something?" and he lauged and said "heck, you don't need me! you know what's going on.."

He also played with my boys. said they were little "soft". Not sure what that means. At least he didn't check my prostate.. lol.. that's always a joy.

 

[goin on 4T]

Well if you haven't read some of the crazy things dr. have said to EF'ers you would be amazed at their perspective! If your blood tests come back showing you are low your dr. will do the right thing that is all. Some won't even go to the trouble of taking blood tests!

 

[legbuh]

Well, Doc called today. Said my blood tests looked fine. Said the only thing that showed up was my liver was goofy (something like it was destroying cells twice as fast as it should? a fatty liver or something). He said it would be best to lose 20-25lbs. I told him "That's what I've been trying to do for the last 3 years... " He explained this maybe would be "more incentive".

So I haven't got the lab results in front, so I just ask for numbers and he said free test was 12.3. I say, what's the range? He says 9-30. I expressed that that seemed low for a 38/year old and he said "maybe if you were 30 it would be low". sucks. Who knows. Have to go in for an ultrasound on my liver. I need to see if the lab is gonna mail the results for everything too like they said they were so I can see all the numbers.

 

[Tatyana]

It is going to be difficult to comment without the actual numbers and exactly what the condition is.

I know the lads her go on about free test, but unless it is done by HPLC or mass spec, which I really doubt any clinical lab does, it is derived from a calculation from total test and SHBG, free test isn't measured.

There are some issues with measuring testosterone and SHBG, so basing a calculation off two somewhat inaccurate tests does not make for a very accurate result.



Sorry to hear you have issues with your liver.

 

[legbuh]

I'm stopping by the clinic this morning to get a copy of the labs. The liver thing is odd. I have a couple drinks now and then, and we have our weekly Wii Bowling League where the guys get together, but that's about it. Wonder if my soy protein could be messin with my liver.

 

[Tatyana]

I'm stopping by the clinic this morning to get a copy of the labs. The liver thing is odd. I have a couple drinks now and then, and we have our weekly Wii Bowling League where the guys get together, but that's about it. Wonder if my soy protein could be messin with my liver.

If it is fatty liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver is worse that alcoholic fatty liver ironically.

This is more likely to be linked to metabolic syndrome X, and bad fats i.e) trans fats and simple carbohydrates are more likely to be the culprits.

It is a big wake up call to sort out your diet.

Soya milk in moderation is not an issue, unless of course there is sugar, cane sugar etc in the soya milk.

 

[legbuh]

I do drink more than the average guy. I eat fairly well. Not like a "clean eating bodybuilder" by anymeans.. I tried that, I just couldn't do it.

Got my results. going to post them in a new thread.

 

[Tatyana]

What is your diet like? Would you mind describing a typical day?

Do you know your blood pressure? What is your waist measurement.

They symptoms you described, fatigue, abdominal obesity, depression, are all symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

 

[legbuh]

Sure, I don't drink any pop, coffee, etc. Just water, mineral water (no sugar) and a little Silk from time to time (and on cereal).

I eat white toast (peanut butter and/or honey), oatmeal, cereal (non sugared) for most breakfasts (not all together, I alternate). Normally eat a banana too. Not a big breakfast eater. Eggs once in a while.

Monring snack - Soy protein shake (silk, ice, soy protein isolte, creatine, sometimes glutatime).

Lunch is normally a sandwhich and some chips, or if I'm out running errands I may pick up chiptloe once in a while (always chicken... mmm). Or leftovers from supper (normally cassarole, meatloaf, roast, chicken, etc.. with potatoes)

Afternoon snack (rare) maybe a shake or protein bar or handfull of nuts or pretzels.

Supper I normally cook a decent family meal. Steak, pork chop, Potroast, meatloaf, grilled chicken, hamburgers, cassarole (normally rice and chicken with c of m soup) or fish usually with a side of potatoes or rice. Sometimes spaghetti/meatballs. Desert has been an orange now for the last few months.. hooked on em. Maybe a cookie too.

Snack before bed usually nuts, cottage cheese or string cheese.

I wear 36" waist size jeans if that helps with waiste (the are a tad loose, used to wear 38s before I started working out 3 years ago). I have lost fat and put on decent muscle, but I still have what I consider a little too much fat on my waist (love handles) and chest (man boobs.. lol) I look like a "heavy" fairly muscular guy.

It's a normal diet. I do try to watch my intake of food. Never really counted calroies