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Normal Testosterone Levels
What is considered a "normal" testosterone level for a healthy 45 year old man? I have been suffering from a variety of symptoms consistent with low testosterone: low sex drive, lack of morning erections, less intensity during ejaculation, less hard erections, irritability, etc.. I had my doctor run blood tests and everything came back normal. Testosterone was 257 on a scale of 241 - 800. Doctor says this is normal and will not consider hormone treatments. The only medication I take is a statin, which has lowered my cholestorol to normal levels. I am not overweight, nor do I feel depressed. This has become a major quality of life issue, as my wife is feeling somewhat undeisrable and neglected. I'm not ready to give up on a healthy sex life, but now that my doctor has determined thal all is "normal," I'm not sure what my next step is. I have unable to find a chart that lists normal testosterone levels by age. I'm hoping that if I could find some evidence of what I suspect (that my testosterone is indeed low) then I might be able to convince my doctor to consider treating me. Can you help?
You guys know there is a much better way to increase test levels than HRT, right? It's called nutrition and lifestyle.
Increase intake of zinc and selenium. Try eating oysters a couple of times a week, and 3-4 Brazil nuts, morning and night. Combine this with plenty of fatty foods (cholesterol won't peak. Cholesterol levels are more a function of insulin sensitivity/resistance than dietary cholesterol.) Your body will need the cholesterol in fatty foods in order to manufacture hormones, including testosterone.
Of course, my evidence is purely anecdotal, but in three months, eating 6-8 Brazil nuts per day, with supplemental zinc, and a 5-10 minute, high-intensity, full body resistance training session (olympic lifting; multi-joint movements, and a reasonably hight weight) 3 days a week, along with consumption of a LARGE amount of fatty, cholesterol-laden foods, like bacon, milk, and a LOT of red meat, I lowered my LDL cholesterol levels by almost 40 points, increased testosterone levels from 233 to 645, lost 20 lbs of fat, and gained 20 lbs of muscle.
Sleep is another big part of the equation. Sleep deprivation causes elevated cortisol levels, which exist in inverse proportion to testosterone levels. Cortisol also, by the way, is part of the mechanism for downregulation of insulin sensitivity, which leads to, you guessed it, cholesterol problems. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep in a completely dark room. Not even the flashing red light from your alarm clock is ok. Get blackout curtains, and cover up every possible light source.
Low-t can be a tricky beast to fight because you will, inevitably, stress about your condition. It may make you feel like less of a man. The stress you experience will cause your body to increase production of cortisol, which is a stress-hormone. The cortisol will cause your test levels to decrease further. It's a pretty vicious cycle. You may also want to have your doctor check for levels of sex-hormone binding globulin. It neutralizes testosterone and other sex hormones. Total testosterone counts are not the same as free testosterone levels.
Another helpful thing to note is that the amount of fruit your doctor tells you to eat is A LOT more than you need, and excess fructose will increase levels of serum albumin, which binds with testosterone, and renders it inert. This is a bad thing. Simply put, there are very few fruits you actually need. Stick to things like blueberries, in moderation, which are very high in antioxidants. Don't listen to people who tell you to eat apples for fiber. You'll get more than enough fiber if you're eating healthy amounts of vegetables, and you'll get them without dumping nearly as much fructose into your body.
Can you tell that biochem is my research focus? Lol. Hope some of this is helpful to someone.
Increase intake of zinc and selenium. Try eating oysters a couple of times a week, and 3-4 Brazil nuts, morning and night. Combine this with plenty of fatty foods (cholesterol won't peak. Cholesterol levels are more a function of insulin sensitivity/resistance than dietary cholesterol.) Your body will need the cholesterol in fatty foods in order to manufacture hormones, including testosterone.
Of course, my evidence is purely anecdotal, but in three months, eating 6-8 Brazil nuts per day, with supplemental zinc, and a 5-10 minute, high-intensity, full body resistance training session (olympic lifting; multi-joint movements, and a reasonably hight weight) 3 days a week, along with consumption of a LARGE amount of fatty, cholesterol-laden foods, like bacon, milk, and a LOT of red meat, I lowered my LDL cholesterol levels by almost 40 points, increased testosterone levels from 233 to 645, lost 20 lbs of fat, and gained 20 lbs of muscle.
Sleep is another big part of the equation. Sleep deprivation causes elevated cortisol levels, which exist in inverse proportion to testosterone levels. Cortisol also, by the way, is part of the mechanism for downregulation of insulin sensitivity, which leads to, you guessed it, cholesterol problems. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep in a completely dark room. Not even the flashing red light from your alarm clock is ok. Get blackout curtains, and cover up every possible light source.
Low-t can be a tricky beast to fight because you will, inevitably, stress about your condition. It may make you feel like less of a man. The stress you experience will cause your body to increase production of cortisol, which is a stress-hormone. The cortisol will cause your test levels to decrease further. It's a pretty vicious cycle. You may also want to have your doctor check for levels of sex-hormone binding globulin. It neutralizes testosterone and other sex hormones. Total testosterone counts are not the same as free testosterone levels.
Another helpful thing to note is that the amount of fruit your doctor tells you to eat is A LOT more than you need, and excess fructose will increase levels of serum albumin, which binds with testosterone, and renders it inert. This is a bad thing. Simply put, there are very few fruits you actually need. Stick to things like blueberries, in moderation, which are very high in antioxidants. Don't listen to people who tell you to eat apples for fiber. You'll get more than enough fiber if you're eating healthy amounts of vegetables, and you'll get them without dumping nearly as much fructose into your body.
Can you tell that biochem is my research focus? Lol. Hope some of this is helpful to someone.
1 Comments
Hi SFG Your information was a needed breath of fresh air.
I just started my journey doctors bloodwork etc.I have been doing a lot of research and was always leaning to a more natural approach.
At least after reading your experience and research I have renewed hope. Thank You Jim
I just started my journey doctors bloodwork etc.I have been doing a lot of research and was always leaning to a more natural approach.
At least after reading your experience and research I have renewed hope. Thank You Jim
Hey guys been reading a lot of posts, I have started Test-C injections talked to my GP who is a D.O. first and he told me that he had NO desire to help with low testosterone he would test me but unless it was super low not his deal. He said there are "those clinic with Doctor's that will do that" but he he showed no signs of helping me...... So I started reading a lot, a lot. I should say I am 40 yrs old lift 4 days a week and run 5-8 miles EVERYDAY so I put the work in but still not building muscle not loosing my gut yadayadayada. Like I said started reading went to a site hope this isn't taboo here... Steroids.com and got the scoope on all kinds of things and after doing my research thought I had lowT so I went to "One of those Doctors" and my total test came back @ 450 thats average for an 85 year old man, so anyway this doctor, he helped me! 200mg test-c once a week. So I guess do some research and remember its YOUR health and Your body don't let some one tell you what to do, period. As they always say GET A SECOND OPINION or a third or fourth there are doctors that will help you. Also I can not stress this enough do the research, most all current research shows these drugs aren't nearly as bad as the press has made them out to be, they are legal in almost all the world Canada, England, Germany, Japan etc. com'mon people alcohol and smoking kill thousands every year, right? how many of you drink? or smoke? what's the difference? you don't know anything about steroids really do you? but you do know you can die from a single over indulgence in alcohol right, just do your home work and if you think you could benefit from some help find a doctor to help and give it a try, if you do and find it's not for you want your a few bucks big deal, if it helps you may feel better than you have in years and your old lady will Appreciate the effort to also.
Dear Mr. aliveandkicking-
You are a MORON. Try eating right? try learning to spell "sicologist" I think you meant Psychologist. "Try see the glass half full and try getting out more? you writing here on a message broad your fine".... Who cares you can't get a boner and your wife is leaving you or cheating on you are you serious man? Low T can also lead to Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Osteoporosis and many more severe health issues. Plus you feel like crap, Testosterone is what make us MEN, period. With low T its pretty hard to enjoy life because you are depressed and grumpy cant sleep are fat so do some research and learn to spell. Again you are a MORON.
You are a MORON. Try eating right? try learning to spell "sicologist" I think you meant Psychologist. "Try see the glass half full and try getting out more? you writing here on a message broad your fine".... Who cares you can't get a boner and your wife is leaving you or cheating on you are you serious man? Low T can also lead to Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Osteoporosis and many more severe health issues. Plus you feel like crap, Testosterone is what make us MEN, period. With low T its pretty hard to enjoy life because you are depressed and grumpy cant sleep are fat so do some research and learn to spell. Again you are a MORON.
I am 44 years old 5.8 wiegh approx 206 been lifting weights for about 20 years lift most of the time, lift very heavy go three times a weak with 30 min cardio just got my blood work done to try to get testosterone replacement .Well got my test back and my testosterone level was 595 I am in solid shape naturally but was lookin to get little more size just going to train harder.
I am 44 years old 5.8 wiegh approx 206 been lifting weights for about 20 years lift most of the time, lift very heavy go three times a weak with 30 min cardio just got my blood work done to try to get testosterone replacement .Well got my test back and my testosterone level was 595 I am in solid shape naturally but was lookin to get little more size just going to train harder.
Start working out, i am 44 and my test just came back last week. I workout 4/5 times week and my testosterone is 908. If you lay around the house and just get fat and don't workout what do you think is going to happen. Your doctor should have told you this. Now you want to know where to send my check.
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