Is my testosterone my problem?

As I age, I find more changes occurring than I could have ever imagined. Some of the shingles are coming off of the roof, if you know what I am saying, but that is far from the only changes I have noticed. I always heard the stories as I grew up about old men, and the strange changes that occur as we age. I have found many of these changes that I heard of as a child, and others that I was obviously too young to hear or understand.

I found that my libido was lower than ever before; the spare tire around my mid-section was growing, my hair was thinning out on my head, and that hair was showing up in other places on my body. I have never been one to accept excuses for anything, so I began to look into some things I could do in order to at least keep my body healthy and mobile, even if I am unable to stop the effects of aging.

So I know that I need to make some changes to my diet, exercise more often than I currently do, and start to understand more about how my aging body works. So I headed over to the trusty old Google box and began to do my research. I eventually came across the fact that my testosterone isn't where it used to be. I believe that making corrections in order to improve my testosterone levels will ultimately impact every other aspect of my body.

I found all sorts of different pages on Wikipedia that covered a fair amount of information about what testosterone is. As I continued my research, I eventually discovered that scientists believe that men lose their libido as they grow older because of a drop in testosterone.

I have found several programs online that offer strategies and methods for increasing my testosterone. I have also found supplements, as well. Some of the methods offer all natural approaches for helping to correct my problem, while others seem to offer other methods that include prescriptions and other types of medication.

I am here looking for some tips and advice from all of you folks. Is it possible that testosterone can be a cause of poor sex life? If I improve my levels of testosterone, as well as my diet and exercise, will I be able to see a significant difference in my sex life, weight loss, and my energy levels? Do you think that increasing my levels of testosterone will make a difference? Would be better to take supplements of some type, or will it be enough to focus on my diet instead?

 

What @snowy said. A doctor visit is an absolute must! For one thing, a simple blood test can tell you if you testosterone level really is low. Don't try to treat a condition that may not be there.

Have a thorough talk with your doctor about your symptoms and possible treatment options. Some of your symptoms are common to other disorders.

It would be unwise to jump into a vigorous exercise plan if you are a cardiovascular risk.

 

To repeat :

Talk. To. Your. Doctor. ASAP.

 

Non-medical supplements are for the most part just crap. Yes, your testosterone can affect you. Yes, getting a medical supplementation is going to help. I do it myself now. It helps. Not magical but it helps enough to notice. You will grow more of that hair in various places than you currently have.

You can get shots every other week, use patches or use creams daily, or have pellets implanted under your butt skin every four to six months. I didn't mind the shots, but I live with women, and the risk of getting some on them unintentionally was too high, so I didn't want the cream. The patches ate my skin away. This is apparently pretty rare, but I have a problem with adhesives in general. I used the pellets (test-o-pel, I believe). A minor surgical procedure that takes about 30 minutes in a doctor's office once every 4 months, and my test is now at mid-level for my age. It was rock-bottom for my age range before.

The main effect that I've noticed is more energy. Which helps me finish working out and having a little ambition to do things. I was pretty much pooped out constantly before the test. YMMV

Libido is picking up too

 

You don't know this, only a blood test will tell you. I wanted to use low T for some excuses too and it turned out I was well on the high side of normal. While low T can be a factor in everything you mentioned, so can just being lazy and not putting the effort in as we get older. If you get the T its also not going to magically make the gut go away or muscles grow. You are far better served getting that together, and I'd do it FIRST before worrying about supplementation (and by that I mean taking T not the useless "t-boosters" sold).

Your T might be low, but in part because you are out of shape. Get your diet in order, and a plan to loose weight ("eating healthy" isn't a plan which is where many fail). Hit the gym and start lifting weights, again with a program. After you have been doing that for six months, then get your bloodwork done.

 

Herc is also correct, in the fact that you need to get tested. Working out and putting forth an effort is important. I had been working out for years when mine dropped. I had no idea it was low-T until I had been tested. I don't think you necessarily need to wait to get tested. A baseline is important. It might be interesting to get tested, work out for a few months, then get tested again to see what happens.

It is not magical, but there is a difference with it. ( If indeed you have low-T )

 

Your doctor will also add a few tests to rule out other causes, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular issues. Your symptoms could also be caused by sleep apnea or depression. Give your doc a chance to investigate.

 

Since you were already working out you knew something wasn't right. I think a lot of men would be shocked just how much better they feel over all if they got their weight down to their real ideal and took up a good weight training program.

The hard part is trying to convince people what they SHOULD weigh. Everyone seems to start too high, I see it consistently with new people and I made that mistake myself. I kept hitting my goal and realizing 'nope not there yet'.

Many men who are say 6'0" 240 are rather shocked to learn that no, they are not 200 lbs of lean mass, more like 145, and their ideal weight is closer to 175lbs.

 

Ideal weight is not ideal for people who do not have average body types (whatever that is). Very thin people (ectomorphs) have a hard time getting up to that number and mesomorphs find it all but impossible, barring cancer to get down to it. I am a mesomorph and at 5' 7.5" I look ghastly at 175 lbs. I've got 'thin' pictures of me at 196 lbs. I have an 8 pack at 210 lbs. I am working my way back down to 210 now...

Sorry but some statistical ideal is just about useless. Ideal weight and BMI were meant to compare whole populations and were never meant to indicate anything for an individual. The insurance industry likes them because they can raise rates arbitrarily for what is 'normal' for a large swath of the population ( not a majority mind you). The medical industry follows these standards because they get paid by insurance.

Otherwise I agree, resistance exercise, and exercise in general, and not being a disgusting fat-body (within reason) will make most people feel much better, and have a better hormone profile.

I also don't know where you get a six foot tall individual's ideal is at 175. According to the charts I studied in college PE, 175 was the top range for my height, probably the very bottom for 6'.

 

If I seem a bit defensive, I'm sorry. For the most part I agreed with Herc...

 

Wow, I appreciate you all taking the time out to give me your advice and input, it is greatly appreciated. A simple blood test sounds easy enough for me.

Again, thank you so much. I'll be back when I have an update.