Posted by H.Upmann on August 19, 2006, at 18:28:44
In reply to Re: Low Test also not good! » Tom Twilight, posted by Jost on August 19, 2006, at 17:46:35
I have to chime in here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with supplementing testosterone assuming you get your free and total testosterone levels checked, and in fact need it. I believe the range for normal is approx: 300ng/dl to 1000ng/dl. I've had mine checked since I was 20 and continuously hovered in the low 300's. While this is considered normal on the scales it certainly isn't optimal for me so I supplement with it by using Androgel (doctor prescribed) at 50mg topical a day. I feel a lot better energy wise. Androgens often give the user a sense of well-being.
This whole stigma with testosterone and related compounds really needs to go away. Testosterone isn't crack or PCP. A doctor can prescribe it and should if your levels are lacking. Men go through andropause just as women go through menopause. It would be a good idea to look at studies conducted by Bhasin (sorry you'll have to google it...I don't have the link off hand) at the Charles Drew Medical Institute (I think) in California. These are not totally benign hormones, but far from dangerous if used in clinical doses. This roid rage business is highly over exagerrated as well. I'm sorry about your friend, but their had to be some other issues involved. I don't see how anyone develops rage by having their levels upped to the normal range. Another thing about those scales is...well...they suck. 300mg/dl is normal for an 80yr old man and a 20yr old man? I don't think so. That's a pretty blanket statement. Your free testosterone is what is really important as that is the unbound portion that is actually active.
Aside from this I would only worry about possible gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in males-usually not seen with low clinical doses), and have a PSA test done. Really testosterone has the potential to help so many people it's sad the stigma attached to it because of the current scandals in baseball, olympics, etc. Also, your testicles will NOT shrivel up into raisins. They may atrophy a wee bit as you are effectively shutting down your natural testosterone by telling the body you don't need to make it anymore (as you are getting it synthetically). I doubt you'd even notice the change. I should say though that you really need to discuss this with the doctor. If you are going to go on HRT it's because your levels are low, and you are likely to stay on for life. Growth hormone would be another great compound to utilize if it weren't so expensive and stigmatized. Insurance will never pay for that for HRT I don't think, and good luck getting your doc to even consider testing you for GH deficiency. You'll be lucky if you don't get another archaic lecture about testosterone. It's a hormone your body makes already!!! I could go on and on about this, but I'll spare you guys. I will try to find the links that support it's safety and efficacy even at whopping doses of 600mg/week of testosterone enanthate injections. It does sound like you're a young man though so try your best not to be impulsive, self-medicate, buy testosterone from some idiot in the gym, etc. See the urologist, endrocinologist, or your GP if you have to and just ask for the tests. Best of luck. Upmann
P.S. There really are no good testosterone boosting supplements out there. At best they temporarily spike your levels and then you crash afterwards with no post cycle therapy. It can take awhile for your natural testosterone levels to get back to normal. I wouldn't waste my time or money on supplements that claim to boost testosterone. They may short term, but this is not the solution you're looking for.
poster:H.Upmann
thread:677798
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/678185.html