Help me Please!!!!! Just found out I have very LOW T

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

I am 45 years old and began suffering from ED about 4 - 4.5 years ago. My T level was fine the last time it was checked when the ED first surfaced. I couldn't get it up or keep it up to penetrate my wife. Work stress was high and marital problems existed. She was making me wear condoms and it pissed me off. I thought my issues were mental impotence and I have used self hypnosis, I tried Ageless Male, Horny Goat Weed, I've lost 50 pounds through diet and exercise and got my blood pressure down to normal. Nothing helped in the bedroom except Cialis, which I cannot afford to take regularly. This has ruined my life and it consumes my mind all day, every day.

I notice normal, daily morning erections. I can get an erection with a little lube and masturbation. About six months to a year ago, when I've had opportunities for sex, I did not have an erection without stimulation and then it always went away before penetration. My wife would not give me oral for foreplay. She expected me to have an erection without foreplay, like when I was in my 20's and 30's. The marital relationship sucked and I blamed my issues and mental impotence on our poor marital relationship.

I have never suffered from premature ejaculation, but now as soon as I coerce an erection I feel like I am going to orgasm and I need to stop and take it slow.

My wife has gone to a divorce attorney, I am under a lot of stress, I am not sleeping and am losing weight. Maybe this caused LOW T test results. I also have suffered from sleep apnea.

My doctor told me my T level is 190 and that the lowest level on the charts is 241. When I asked, he said 241 is low for a 70 year old man. He suggested Testosterone Replacment Therapy to fix all of my problems. He told me there was no natural way to increase my T level and HRT is the only way. I do not want to live a sexless life, but I don't want to grow man boobs, have my testicles atrophy and get an enlarged prostate or cancer from artificial Testosterone drug treatments.

I am glad to finally know what the issue is but I need to get my T level up to normal naturally. Is this even possible? I am 45 years old and need to find the root cause of my Low T before I agree to a life on artificial hormones.

I am beside myself right now. I am grateful for any suggestions or similar stories from anyone who has resolved this issue.

Thank you and Best Regards,

[jstane45 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jstane45]

Sorry to hear about that. Hopefully some of the members here have some advice for you. I just wanted to chime in and ask for clarification about why you are concerned about getting cancer from exogenous testosterone? Adding more about your aversion to traditional hormone therapy may help the members address your concerns and answer your questions.

[stevew89 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevew89]

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Older men who receive testosterone replacement therapy because of low testosterone are no more likely to get prostate cancer than similarly aged men not receiving testosterone, a new study found. The results will be presented Monday, June 16, at The Endocrine Society’s 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Prostate cancer is a concern regarding testosterone therapy in older men, said lead author Aksam Yassin, MD, PhD, of the Clinic for Urology and Andrology of the Segeberger Clinics in Norderstedt, Germany. “Testosterone treatment stimulates the growth of an existing prostate cancer, but there is no evidence that it causes this type of cancer,” he said.

The risk of prostate cancer and testosterone deficiency increases with age. Therefore, it is possible that a prostate cancer may occur in an older man during testosterone replacement therapy, which is unrelated to treatment, Yassin said. His research, performed with scientists from Germany and the United Arab Emirates, aimed to determine if prostate cancer occurs more often with testosterone replacement therapy in men over 50.

The study involved 154 testosterone-deficient men with an average age of 56, who had 1 to 3 years of follow-up testing. Patients received testosterone injections in a hospital clinic in Bremerhaven, Germany. Testosterone was a slow-release form called testosteroneundecanoate (brand name Nebido) that is not yet available in the United States. The researchers compared these patients with 160 men visiting the clinic for a health checkup who had normal testosterone levels and did not receive testosterone treatment. Their average age was 58.

At the beginning of the study and then every 3 months afterward, all subjects had an evaluation that included a digital rectal exam, ultrasound measurement of prostate volume and a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Increased PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate or inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis). If a man’s PSA level was high—over 4 (micrograms per liter)—or otherwise abnormal, he underwent a prostate biopsy.

The rectal exam found no abnormalities. Eleven men receiving testosterone had a biopsy, two of which showed a small cancerous tumor on one side of the prostate. A third man was found to have a high-grade (more aggressively malignant) prostate cancer that had not yet spread to other organs. Of the 12 men in the untreated group, five had prostate cancer. Four of these tumors were on both sides of the prostate and were high grade. Therefore, there were no more prostate cancers in the group that received testosterone treatment, Yassin concluded. Moreover, the men receiving testosterone had smaller, less aggressive tumors than did the other men, he said.

“There is increasing evidence that testosterone replacement therapy in testosterone-deficient men can improve their symptoms, such as decreased bone and muscle mass and low sex drive and depression,” he said. “In view of the many benefits of treatment and the results of our study, we believe it is acceptably safe to treat older men with testosterone if there is a good reason for treatment.”

Yassin is on the speakers’ bureau for Bayer Schering, which makes the brand of testosterone undecenoate used in this study. However, patients received testosterone as a free benefit of the German social health care system, he said.

[Looking4more Retired Moderator Member of the Month Feb 2013PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close Looking4more]

Welcome to the Gym Hoping.
I just saw a specialist for my low T (140) which caused ED and other problems. He told me that sleep apnea is a big cause of low T. I took the shots for 2 years and haven't had any problems but never liked the idea. Just got comfortable with it and never saw the specialist till recently. Don't take the shots brother. They are just masking the symptoms, not causing the problem. Regular doctors recommend it since they don't know much about it. See a specialist if you need to. Since I took the shots for so long, now I have to stop for 3 months before the specialist can even begin diagnosis so save yourself the trouble and go see the specialist first.
I believe I found the problem myself though. Mine seems to coincide with taking a blood pressure med. I stopped the med and T injections 3 weeks ago and everything is working great. That is another thing the specialist told me. Unless you have diabetes, sleep apnea, or have had radiation or chemotherapy of some kind, low T is usually caused by something we ingest on a regular basis. My brother had low T due to an allergy to chicken. He gave up the chicken and his T went right back to normal.
I'll bet if you take care of your sleep problem, everything else will be fine.
Your ED is probably more mental than anything else especially since you get morning wood and can get one on your own. Fix the sleep problem first and then worry about the rest.
I sure hope your ED is not the cause of your wife wanting a divorce. If it is a major factor, I hope she can be patient while you fix this. The added pressure from her doesn't help your condition at all. We're here for you brother. Just ask if there is anything we can do for you.

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

Thank you jstane45, stevew89 and looking4more for your replies.

I believe in finding the underlying problem and trying to fix it before resorting to drugs. I must find the root cause of this problem and natural solutions to fix it. I don't want to rely on drugs...there's always a negative side effect. If I am unable to improve my T levels, then replacement therapy is my last option.

For anyone with this issue, what is an acceptable T level for a man my age 45 and were you able to get there without replacement therapy drugs?

[not2big Senior Super ModeratorPEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close not2big]

I am diabetic and 71. My ED is primarily due to diabetes. However, when my T level came in at 190 my endocrinologist advised that 190 was acceptable for a guy my age. The bottom of the acceptable range on my lab report is 241. I disagreed and went to a urologist who prescribed T-gel which raised my T level to 750. Although it significantly raised my labido, it did nothing for my ED. A year later my Endo saw that my PSA started to rise (1.2 to 1.6) and recommended that I stop the TRT or reduce the dosage. I decided to reduce the dosage in half and apply it every other day. Two months ago my T level came in at 188. Apparently, the introduction of the TRT caused my testes to get lazy and produce lower levels of natural T.

I believe the stress you are going through is not only causing your ED but is also affecting your T production. I do not know how you can reduce your stress, but you might want to consider a psychologist or a couples sex therapist. Your wife does not seem very understanding which seems to be the root of your problem. My wife is very understanding which has allowed me to get through my situation.

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

Thank you for your reply not2big.

Job stress and marital problems were happening before the ED but my wife was not loving, understanding and she wouldn't engage in foreplay to stimulate my erections. She expected me to be hard and ready when she was. When I was younger that was fine, but the pressure became too much for my aging, unhealthy body. She also wanted me to wear condoms to avoid pregnancy and that caused anxiety for me. As soon as I would put the thing on my erection would go away.

I lost 50 lbs in the last year through a healthier diet and exercise and this improved my snoring and lowered my blood pressure. I am so surprised to learn how low my T level is. After finding out about the divorce, I've had many sleepless nights and anxiety, which may have lowered my T level. This may be a freak thing so I am going to work on the issues and see if my T level increases.

Best Regards,

[Slip Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Slip]

lack of sleep can affect your T production. Your T is veryvlow for a guy your age! I had mine tested this past Monday. it was 450 in which my doctor told me was too low. I'm 57. I basically have felt really tired lately with low libido. He put me on 2 pumps of androgel 1.62 every day along with Cialis daily. i just started tge gel w days ago. on the 4 day of cialis, i had raging hardon s throughout tge night. But I remember taking a DIM tab that night. Maybe my E2 was too high, and this brought it down to a sweet spot. i was getting erections, with an EQ of 10. I woukd guess that your biggest issue is stress, but your T is wsy to low

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

For the first time in my life, my morning wood has been gone for two days. I've always had morning wood, even though my T level is supposedly 190.

It's strange, I began taking Swanson brand Super Mega Beta Sitosterol and the two days with no wood are the two days I'd taken the stuff.

I've also been taking one capsule of Alteril Herbal sleep remedy for about five nights, but I still had the wood prior to taking the Beta Sitosterol. I will stop taking the BS and see if my wood returns. If not, I will stop taking the Alteril at night and see what happens.

I have begun a more intense physical training program and a strict, healthy diet. Next step is to go to a sleep study and see how bad my Sleep Apnea is. I read that in 75% of cases of those with Apnea, who suffer from ED and Low T are cured within a month to 45 days of CPAP use.

If my T level doesn't come up to at least 500 within 6 months, I may be forced to use the Androgel. It sucks being a 45 year old man facing these issues.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

lack of sleep can affect your T production. Your T is veryvlow for a guy your age! I had mine tested this past Monday. it was 450 in which my doctor told me was too low. I'm 57. I basically have felt really tired lately with low libido. He put me on 2 pumps of androgel 1.62 every day along with Cialis daily. i just started tge gel w days ago. on the 4 day of cialis, i had raging hardon s throughout tge night. But I remember taking a DIM tab that night. Maybe my E2 was too high, and this brought it down to a sweet spot. i was getting erections, with an EQ of 10. I woukd guess that your biggest issue is stress, but your T is wsy to low

Your t level seems fairly normal for age and the treatment very agressive.

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

Question does aponea cause low t ,or is low t implicated in aponea?

What risks are associated with various types added test? Is bio identical test safer?

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

UPDATE:

So my physical condition has declined drastically...I've been eating all of the right foods ( Protein, Nuts Cruciferous Veggies), eating about 6 times each day and as close to an all organic diet as possible, I've been running and lifting weights. I got my blood pressure down to an average of 110-115 over 70. I should be healthier right?

I have chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches and a total lack of energy. It's debilitating. I went to a different doctor and found I am Vitamin D Deficient. I am being treated with 50,000 IU of D2 once per week for 8 weeks. I've read that recovery from this can take 6 months to 2 years depending on the individual. I've also read that Vitamin D and Testosterone have direct correlations.

My blood sugar is a little high, so I may have developed Insulin Resistance from 10 years of being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle and a bad diet. I've read that Vit D deficiency can cause blood sugar issues, Diabetes and Insulin Resistance. All other blood tests look good. Inflammation is low. HDL Cholesterol is 46 LDL is 90 Triglycerides are 69 and Total Cholesterol < 150 My B12 is in the high end of the range and my Thyroid (TSH 3rd Generation) is 2.03 right in the middle of the normal range. According to the tests, I should be healthy. So why a Testosterone Level of 190?

I am getting checked for the Sleep Apnea and am awaiting a full sleep study. BTW, Sleep Apnea and Insomnia are also caused by Vit D Deficiency.

So, I'm hoping that when my Vitamin D levels and Sleep Apnea are corrected, combined with my healthier diet and exercise regimen, that I can get my T Level up into the normal range without Hormone Replacement Therapy!!!!

I am also taking a number of Vitamins and other supplements, including the 5 G's. Actually my blood pressure was getting too low at times...as low as 98 over 52 and I get lightheaded when I stand up. Again, this is a new issue for me. I found that Garlic, Ginger and Green Tea are diuretics. I drink a lot of water but maybe taking 3 diuretics each day is causing dehydration. So I take Garlic everyday and I alternate between Green Tea and Ginger, so I'm only taking 2 diuretics each day. I've added some sea salt to aid in water retention hoping to stabilize my blood pressure.



The Good News:

My nocturnal erections have returned for the past 6 to 7 consecutive nights. A couple nights back my woody kept me awake all night. I was glad to see my old friend. lol My nocturnal wood had disappeared altogether for a few weeks straight and I had never experienced this in my 45 year lifetime. But they're back so I must be doing something right.


I will post updates and a full list of my daily supplement dosages soon. I will give it time and get my T level retested in July

[Slip Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Slip]

UPDATE:

So my physical condition has declined drastically...I've been eating all of the right foods ( Protein, Nuts Cruciferous Veggies), eating about 6 times each day and as close to an all organic diet as possible, I've been running and lifting weights. I got my blood pressure down to an average of 110-115 over 70. I should be healthier right?

I have chronic fatigue, brain fog, headaches and a total lack of energy. It's debilitating. I went to a different doctor and found I am Vitamin D Deficient. I am being treated with 50,000 IU of D2 once per week for 8 weeks. I've read that recovery from this can take 6 months to 2 years depending on the individual. I've also read that Vitamin D and Testosterone have direct correlations.

My blood sugar is a little high, so I may have developed Insulin Resistance from 10 years of being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle and a bad diet. I've read that Vit D deficiency can cause blood sugar issues, Diabetes and Insulin Resistance. All other blood tests look good. Inflammation is low. HDL Cholesterol is 46 LDL is 90 Triglycerides are 69 and Total Cholesterol < 150 My B12 is in the high end of the range and my Thyroid (TSH 3rd Generation) is 2.03 right in the middle of the normal range. According to the tests, I should be healthy. So why a Testosterone Level of 190?

I am getting checked for the Sleep Apnea and am awaiting a full sleep study. BTW, Sleep Apnea and Insomnia are also caused by Vit D Deficiency.

So, I'm hoping that when my Vitamin D levels and Sleep Apnea are corrected, combined with my healthier diet and exercise regimen, that I can get my T Level up into the normal range without Hormone Replacement Therapy!!!!

I am also taking a number of Vitamins and other supplements, including the 5 G's. Actually my blood pressure was getting too low at times...as low as 98 over 52 and I get lightheaded when I stand up. Again, this is a new issue for me. I found that Garlic, Ginger and Green Tea are diuretics. I drink a lot of water but maybe taking 3 diuretics each day is causing dehydration. So I take Garlic everyday and I alternate between Green Tea and Ginger, so I'm only taking 2 diuretics each day. I've added some sea salt to aid in water retention hoping to stabilize my blood pressure.



The Good News:

My nocturnal erections have returned for the past 6 to 7 consecutive nights. A couple nights back my woody kept me awake all night. I was glad to see my old friend. lol My nocturnal wood had disappeared altogether for a few weeks straight and I had never experienced this in my 45 year lifetime. But they're back so I must be doing something right.


I will post updates and a full list of my daily supplement dosages soon. I will give it time and get my T level retested in July

Glad to hear this. I have found out that I have sleep apnea pretty bad. Found this out while in the hospital for surgery on my finger. They had given me a nerve block, but apparently, my breathing was so bad while under, they put the breathing tube down my esophagus out of fear I would stop breathing all together. I have read that sleep is an important factor in our T production. Well sleep apnea creates a broken up sleep, so this could cause inefficient T production. I have been on Androgel for a month. I see the doctor next week to find out where I am at. Was at 450 a month ago. A lot of people have told me this is not bad for a man of 57. I have read mixed reviews on whether low T causes ED. I know being on Androgel now for a month, has decreased the size of the boys a little. I will go to the doctor next week to find out where my T is now, but I am seriously thinking of just quitting the Androgel. I have been using breath right strips, and my wife says that I have not stopped breathing during the night since. Also sleeping on ones side prevents sleep apnea. It seems that you are on the right track. Try the strips until you get the sleep study done on you. My sleeps have been more restful, and that is really important for good T production. Good luck.

Oh I have reduced my daily supplements to, a multi vitamin, Ginko, Ginseng, and garlic. That's it. I used to take all kinds of sheet.

[Hopingforsevenormore Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hopingforsevenormore]

Thanks for the post. I was told about my sleep apnea during a medical procedure back in 2006. I had never really heard of sleep apnea and ignored it. I have been lazy and stupid and have not done anything about the apnea and I'm now suffering from many physical issues, including ED and a T level of 190. I really hope that correcting the apnea and Vit D deficiciency, plus lifestyle changes will bring my T levels up within a few months. Your T level is 450. I'd be happy if I were starting at 450, versus 190. With all of the negative side effects, I really don't want to to use Androgel but if I can't get my T level up to 500 or higher within a year I'll have no choice...

[Pegasus AdministratorPE Gym EditorPEGym Hero ☺ Admin of the Month Mar 2015 Find all posts View Profile Close Pegasus]

There are a number of things you can do for aponea but only the mildest cases will be cured by sleeping on you side .
Some people find breathing exercises help ,swimming, in difficult cases a cpap machine is needed during sleep.