What did it feel like when you guys had low tstosterone ? I could see a naked woman on tv and feel like I am looking at a brick wall. IS that normal?
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What did it feel like when you guys had low tstosterone ? I could see a naked woman on tv and feel like I am looking at a brick wall. IS that normal?
Regardless of your age, low T symptoms can include:
- erectile dysfunction, or problems developing or maintaining an erection.
- other changes in your erections, such as fewer spontaneous erections.
- decreased libido or sexual activity.
- infertility.
- rapid hair loss.
- reduced muscle mass.
- increased body fat.
- enlarged breasts.
The male libido is largely influenced by testosterone. The more testosterone you have, the thinking goes, the more likely you are to get sprung at the slightest sexual thought or nuance, the briefest glimpse of thigh or contour of a breast, or hell, even a chalk doodle on the sidewalk that vaguely resembles the curves of a female body.However, according to a study presented at a meeting of urologists in Boston, it appears that total testosterone has little to do with male libido. Instead, it's free testosterone and, surprisingly, the ratio between testosterone and estradiol (a type of estrogen) that determines your randiness.
The scientists had 200 patients of a cardiology practice fill out a series of erectile dysfunction questionnaires, including the IIEF-15, which collectively spell out a pretty decent picture of a man's libido.Of note is that none of the men had been diagnosed with hypogonadism (low testosterone) in the past, and none were on medications that could have affected testosterone levels.The researchers then measured the patients' total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and free testosterone and compared them with their reported libidos.It turned out they found no correlation between total testosterone and how often (or how infrequently) the men wanted to do it. Nor did estradiol levels correlate independently with sex drive, even when levels were lower than 5 ng/dL. This last fact is significant because it was thought that men are more likely to have healthy libidos if their estradiol is in the "sweet spot" between 2.0 and 5.5 ng/dL.What did correlate with libido, though, was the ratio of testosterone to estradiol, along with free testosterone, i.e., that percentage of testosterone that isn't chemically bound to SHBG. The higher the free T, presumably the greater the sex drive.
Oftentimes, men with low libidos or poor sexual functioning go on testosterone replacement therapy or pro-testosterone supplements. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but when it doesn't, it's generally because of one of two things, as this study clearly supports:
- Too much SHBG (resulting in low levels of free testosterone)
- High estrogen levels (throwing off the testosterone/estrogen ratio)
What the study didn't tell us is the perfect level of free testosterone or the precise T:E ratio we'd want for "optimum" sex drive, which would be difficult as hell to define, anyhow. Still, it gives us some clues as to what we should do.For instance, if you have symptoms of low testosterone (depression, weight gain, inability to put on muscle, diminished sexual desire or performance) or symptoms of high estrogen (increased abdominal fat, fatty tissue around the nipples, erectile dysfunction, or loss of libido), you might consider finding a progressive physician and getting your SHBG and estrogen levels tested (along with free T, of course), the latter with what's known as the "sensitive" assay.If you don't ask for a "sensitive assay," they're going to measure your estradiol the same as if you were a ballerina from the Bolshoi ballet suffering from menstruation problems. In other words, the results will be pretty much useless.Your other choice would be to experiment with using dietary practices and supplements to manipulate levels of SHBG and estradiol.
- Take magnesium daily to raise free testosterone.
- Take zinc daily to lower SHBG.
- Take vitamin D3 daily to lower SHBG.
- Don't short-change yourself on carbs. A diet low in carbs increases SHBG while lowering testosterone.
- Watch the booze so that testosterone levels don't drop.
How to Lower Estradiol Levels
- Lose fat. Fat contains an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen.
- Eat lots of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. They contain a chemical that "fights" estrogen.
- Take curcumin. It reduces the effects of an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen.
- Take resveratrol to decrease the activity of that estrogen-converting enzyme.
- Don't get old. The older you are, the more estrogen-ey you are. (Okay, if you insist on aging, then at least put the above tips into action.)
Similar.
I got hot flushes the worst thing though was the extreame low energy.
But is it normal to see a woman undressing on tv and feeling nothign like looking at a brick wall? This is what makes me think I might be gay. I used to get turned on but dont anymore.
The answer is yes it is normal . If your test is low you lose libido what part of that is hard to understand?Quote:
Originally Posted by 15yrsED
In any case many would not find tv nudity that much of a turn on anyway.
Great post a couple issues .Quote:
Originally Posted by cotto007
Most docs you can't get them to understand the total testosterone you should have let alone anything more complex .
They will not listen if you try and explain it either . So good luck finding one who understands the ratio stuff etc.
On free test I have a number of times said onsite that the normal free testosterone test is inaccurate to the point of worthless . However the sensitive test I am told is far more expensive and getting the doc to order it in the first place could be difficult.
Which leaves you trying to get the doc to order the tests and for you to work out the rest yourself if you can get the tests done that is . At that point you have to work out best course of action and don't depend on any help from the doc btw.
What is the sensitive test exactly
thanks
You can test for total testosterone and free testosterone . The normal test done for free testosterone is not accurate .
The sensitive test is a test for free testosterone that is more accurate and expensive.
For deeper understanding read post 62.
That's true finding a doctor willing to work with you is not going to be easy . Doctors think that 300 T levels are normal when clearly the guy is having a lot of symptoms. Finding a trt clinic or specialist could be an option if you got the funds available.
There is private labs not too expensive , you send the blood away and get the results back within a couple days. That will at least let you know if you would benefit from trt if the results come back you are low . If the doctors aren't willing to help then u could consider self therapy which is the route I took.
The most common protocol is 100mg test cypionate or enanthate split into 2 shots per week 50mg Monday, 50mg Thursday , 1mg arimidex per 100mg test , so .5 arimidex taken with each injection and 250iu HCG taken twice per week . All taken on the same days . After 6 weeks retest and see where you are at. Some people are what is called 'over responders' to arimidex and only need .25 twice a week. Some people don't need an AI [arimidex ] or just use it by how they feel, if they get no morning wood , over emotional or flushed etc then they will take a small dose and that normally does the trick for a while.
The doctors didn't listen to me so I took matters into my own hands and it massively improved my life. There are some real knowledgeable guys online , some which are trt experts willing to help for free . It depends how bad you are and if you are willing to live with it.
The above protocol is standard now a days for stable blood levels . Back in the old days doctors injected bigger amounts over a longer time period like 200mg single shot every 2 weeks but that caused huge spikes in E2 and a rollercoaster of ups and downs .. smaller doses twice a week not only keeps blood levels more stable but also does not cause the spikes in e2 , so less sides.
This is not to say everyone feeling crappy should jump on Test lol it could be a host of things but a simple blood test could confirm if it is indeed low hormones
I had 400 in the afternoon after sleeping 3hours that night, do you think I could have 500 in the morning after sleeping well?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pegasus