My questions are: Do you think its safe to run 200mg to 300mg test e or c forever? LifeLong starting around 26-27. Test only 200-300mg.
Introduction
Testosterone levels in men decline as they age, from an average of 600 ng/dL at age 30 to about 400 ng/dL at 80, although levels vary quite a lot from person to person. This change is accompanied by decreases in bone density, muscle mass and strength, energy, and libido. It's not surprising, therefore, that many men seek to restore their youth by taking testosterone supplements. However, the US Institute of Medicine has recently issued a report stating that there is insufficient evidence that testosterone treatment benefits elderly men.
Apart from possible benefits, are there any risks? After all, hormone replacement therapy in women was used for decades before the true risks emerged. Two urologists from Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School have reviewed the risks of testosterone replacement therapy, largely based on the legitimate use of the hormone in men with under-developed sexuality (hypogonadism). Their findings are reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, and we've summarized them here.
Forms of supplementation
Testosterone can be given by injection, a skin patch, a gel applied to the skin, and orally. The last route is discouraged, because it's associated with liver disorders and even liver tumors.
Testosterone toxicity
The long, alarming list of possible conditions caused by testosterone includes: cardiovascular disease, blood lipid changes, erythrocytosis (an increased number of red blood cells), fluid retention, prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, liver toxicity, sleep apnea, enlarged breasts, acne or oily skin, atrophy of the testes, and infertility. We shall discuss the most important of these.
Unlikely side effects of testosterone replacement therapy
Cardiovascular disease is commoner in men than in women - this is why suspicion is attached to testosterone in this respect. However, there are few, if any, reports that prove a relationship between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular disease; indeed, some experts suggest it may actually have a beneficial affect on the cardiovascular system.
Overdosage with testosterone lowers the 'good' high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. However, in correct doses, testosterone has no relevant effect on lipid patterns.
Fluid retention and benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate, or prostatism) are rarely of clinical importance if the testosterone doses are kept within the correct limits.
More likely side effects of replacement therapy
High testosterone levels act as a stimulus to the formation of red blood cells. In the elderly, this erythrocytosis may have serious consequences - the blood becomes more viscous, or thicker, which can aggravate the risk of thrombosis in the coronary, brain, or limb arteries. This condition is more likely with testosterone given by injection.
One of the treatments of prostate cancer that has spread to other tissues is to lower testosterone levels by means of drugs; this has led to the logical idea that excess testosterone might cause prostate cancer. There have been individual case reports of testosterone replacement therapy converting a hidden prostate cancer into a clinically obvious form. However, the only clinical studies reported fail to indicate an increased risk. When analyzed together, there were 5 cases of prostate cancer in 460 men treated with testosterone, a rate of 1.1%; this is similar to the rate in the general population. A caveat to the 'no risk' argument is that there are no reports of studies done for longer than 3 years.
There is agreement that all men considering testosterone replacement therapy should have a PSA level and digital rectal exam before starting the hormone. If the PSA is raised (above 4 ng/mL) a prostate biopsy should be done; and a biopsy is indicated if the PSA rises by 1 ng/mL or more in one year.
Oral forms of testosterone are liable to cause liver toxicity, benign and malignant liver tumors, and their use is strongly discouraged. There are no such risks with other dosage forms.
Sleep apnea 1 is reportedly made worse by testosterone therapy. It seems to be due to a central effect (i.e. an action on the breathing center in the brain) rather than any narrowing or obstruction of the respiratory airways.
Breast tenderness or swelling - called gynecomastia - is seen in some men taking testosterone. The testes may become smaller and softer, which is associated with reduced fertility.
Acne, oily skin, increased body hair, and flushing have all been reported as occasional side-effects of testosterone therapy.
What's the bottom line?
It's difficult to make recommendations when there are no long-term studies in large numbers of men, such as those in women on hormone replacement therapy. Any drug prescription should be based on an individual estimate of the benefit/risk ratio for each patient. Unfortunately we are only just coming to grips with analyses of the potential risks of long-term testosterone therapy.
An editorial accompanying the article in the Journal gives some practical advice.2 Replacement testosterone therapy should only be considered if the early morning total serum testosterone is repeatedly below 200 ng/dL. Such patients should be monitored to see that the serum testosterone responds to the supplementation, especially if a skin application is being used. The target should be a serum level of 300-450 ng/dL. Finally, it's important to schedule regular check-ups, preferably by an urologist, to ensure that any likelihood of 'awakening' a hidden prostate cancer is detected as early as possible, so that the necessary steps can be taken.
Source
* Risks of testosterone-replacement therapy and recommendations for monitoring. EL. Rhoden, A. Morgenthaler, N Engl J Med, 2004, vol. 350, pp. 482--492
Do I think its 100% safe? no. do I think starting smoking or reg drinking and doing it for life at that age would cause more problems? yes. Would I start advising everyone to do it? no
would I think some one was crazy for doing it? Well he could start doing a lot worse to himself that is for sure.
Its your choice.
Also, Is the l-dex from ag guys as good?
no comment
Whats best method to still be able to have kids if I start HRT for life 200-300mg a week>?
AAAHHH just hope you get the girl prago. I mean that is really it man. I know plenty of guys that got girls prago well on cycle but its not a deff yes or no it will happen. There is a time to be born and a time to die. Only god knows this time.
4 week blasts of hmg from time to time and clomid.
thx needto I like to here from you, ross, and nelson these three bring alot for me to read up on.
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