BF's test levels=low

[wyst]

Hey all: great board, and very informative. I'm reading like crazy.

Why is a woman reading this particular men's segment? How about a reversal of the classic "looking to boost my chic's libido" thread? My bf has low test, but he's not much of a board surfer. He's reading books, but I thought I'd hit the boards and ask the experts...

Anyhow, here's his deal. He's 40, in decent shape 5'10 or 11, 192 lbs, physically fit and active (works out 4-5 times a week, though not as a bodybuilder, just for general fitness).

He just went to the doc for the first time in years, and when he told his doc he had low libido, and ED, and she added a test check to his bloodwork. They tested him for like a zillion (liver kidney cbc, etc) things (all of which were fine, she said), but I think these must be the high points.

Total Cholesterol: 138
HDL 51
LDL 71
Triglicerides 78

Testosterone Total 270
Test % Free 1.8
Test Free 48.6

The doc ordered a retest right away and said if he wanted, they could talk about supplementation if it's still low after the next appointment. She prescribed cialis in the meanwhile, which works as far as the mechanics go, but if you don't have the desire, it's not such a big help. :-/

So...my question is, when he goes for his followup at the end of the month, assuming that he has similarly low levels again, what should he be ready to tell his doc? What should he ask her? She's generous with her time, but I'm sure we'll get better results if we're informed consumers. Can you guys give us some starting points?

Does he need HRT? If she does suggest hrt, what's the best way to go? Bio-identical? What drugs/treatments are best, what combinations of drugs, and so on?

Any information you all care to share, I'd be forever grateful.

xoxo

Wyst

 

[EasyEJL]

Tell him to up his saturated fat content, and see how that helps. Use healthy fats, like coconut oil or olive oil. But his cholesterol is below normal, which means lower than normal hormone levels. Serum cholesterol comes from saturated fat intake. Your body makes pregnenelone out of the cholesterol, then dhea from that, and testosterone from that dhea. not enough saturated fats coming in = lower testosterone levels.

 

[wyst]

Thanks for the advice EasyEJL--we'll definitely add more sat. fats. He does already eat a good amount of fat, though...lots of olive oils on everything, supplements with fish oils, and some from flax seeds too. We eat a decent amount of salmon and are eating a bit more red meat, lately too.

So, we'll try that, for sure--going shopping tomorrow. But, in the meanwhile, if this doesn't help and the doc still recommends test therapy, what should we be asking for?

xoxo

Wyst

 

[EasyEJL]

really depends on the doctor, and the full results of the blood tests. You really want to see in addition to what you posted

estadiol
FSH
LH
SHBG
DHEA

and a few of the others. look for a poster here by the name of JanSz, he details very thoroughly the tests that help show it. My person feeling is that overall testosterone enanthate is likely to be among the nicer of injectibles, and that i'd try and avoid transdermals if possible. Androjel is pretty commonly prescribed, but you run risks with it. And I mean you, not him. contact with it can effect you. Its not all bad, and depending on all the other factors from the blood test it may make sense for him. It wouldn't for me, between my wife, 2 daughters and an almost born son I couldn't take the risk.

And yes, you can have really low testosterone and not be sterile

 

[EasyEJL]

but have him try taking 3 tbsp of coconut oil a few hours before bed for a couple days, see how he likes that. it seems crazy, but for a few guys here its been more effective than herbal testosterone boosters

 

[JanSz]

Thanks for the advice EasyEJL--we'll definitely add more sat. fats. He does already eat a good amount of fat, though...lots of olive oils on everything, supplements with fish oils, and some from flax seeds too. We eat a decent amount of salmon and are eating a bit more red meat, lately too.

So, we'll try that, for sure--going shopping tomorrow. But, in the meanwhile, if this doesn't help and the doc still recommends test therapy, what should we be asking for?

xoxo

Wyst

Eating right fats and other stuff may be what he actually needs, but there is a better way to go about it.

I suggest that for now, he eats only normal food and drinks.

No supplements, minerals, medicines, etc, unless test proves that it is what he needs.

His low cholesterol and testosterone already mean that he have wide reaching problem.

Shoting darts in the dark may help, but I doubt it.

Look at my post #44
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/male-anti-aging/66268-jan-s-bloodtest-2.html

There is a list for blood tests at Quest Diagnostics, blood drawn at Quest (not doc's office or hospital)

Below that list are tests to be done at Genova Diagnostics.

Complete Thyroid Panel
NutrEval

You will end with list of supplements to take, foods to eat, additional testing if need be.

If you actually are going to do tests at Genova,
on my Quest list skip, thyroid panel, vitamins and minerals.

With those tests at hand you are in a good position to evaluate situation an make corrective action about his androgens and estrogens and any other.
==============================
5'10 or 11, 192 lbs, physically fit and active (works out 4-5 times a week, though not as a bodybuilder

He may be fat if he is not a bodybuilder.
Check his %bf.

 

[EasyEJL]

I think we need a JanSz signal sort of like the bat signal from batman

 

[jinxie]

Eating right fats and other stuff may be what he actually needs, but there is a better way to go about it.

I suggest that for now, he eats only normal food and drinks.

No supplements, minerals, medicines, etc, unless test proves that it is what he needs.

His low cholesterol and testosterone already mean that he have wide reaching problem.

Shoting darts in the dark may help, but I doubt it.

Look at my post #44
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/male-anti-aging/66268-jan-s-bloodtest-2.html

There is a list for blood tests at Quest Diagnostics, blood drawn at Quest (not doc's office or hospital)

Below that list are tests to be done at Genova Diagnostics.

Complete Thyroid Panel
NutrEval

You will end with list of supplements to take, foods to eat, additional testing if need be.

If you actually are going to do tests at Genova,
on my Quest list skip, thyroid panel, vitamins and minerals.

With those tests at hand you are in a good position to evaluate situation an make corrective action about his androgens and estrogens and any other.
==============================
5'10 or 11, 192 lbs, physically fit and active (works out 4-5 times a week, though not as a bodybuilder

He may be fat if he is not a bodybuilder.
Check his %bf.

Jan, that is a pretty typical weight for someone who is muscular -- but not a body builder. I'm not a body builder, and I am far from fat (10-11 % BF, 31 inch waist), and I weigh 172 lbs, at 5'8".

Wyst, given your dude's age, he should take hCG along with the T cypionate, to maintain testicular size and function, assuming he decides on TRT. He's lucky to have you!

 

[wyst]

Jan, that is a pretty typical weight for someone who is muscular -- but not a body builder. I'm not a body builder, and I am far from fat (10-11 % BF, 31 inch waist), and I weigh 172 lbs, at 5'8".

Wyst, given your dude's age, he should take hCG along with the T cypionate, to maintain testicular size and function, assuming he decides on TRT. He's lucky to have you!

Thanks everybody!

You've given me a lot to go on already.

For the record, he could stand to lose a little weight, but he's not super-fat. He's not a bodybuilder, but he lifts heavy and has a decent build--he just doesn't eat the amount he would need to really build big muscle--he's a former runner.

He's 5 10 or 11, and he's got a 33 inch waist, so not too enormous. In any case, he's losing weight now. His goal is another ten pounds or so lighter.

xoxo

Wyst