I’ve known for a long time that I’ve had low T (testosterone) levels. I guess it’s one of those things that guys just don’t go around talking about but it’s a real deal that can cause all kinds of crazy things to stop working right in our bodies. Just a few things include: fatigue or decreased energy, reduced sex drive (libido), sexual dysfunction (weak erections, fewer erections) –I totally just talked about erections on my blog, depressed mood, increased body fat, reduced muscle mass and strength, decreased bone strength, and loss of body hair (reduced shaving). If any of these things I just mentioned apply to you, you should ask your doctor to do a simple blood test to see where your T levels are coming in at. You might be surprised.
For me personally, we learned I had low T levels when my wife and I were trying to get pregnant and were doing frequent visits w/ our fertility doctors. At the time the course of action for me to raise those levels was to use HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) because there were some studies out there that said that Testosterone itself caused low sperm count but HCG stimulated testosterone naturally and was considered to be better, didn’t really matter because we didn’t get pregnant until after we had stopped everything anyway –so go figure.
Once we stopped trying to get pregnant I got on Testosterone that my doctor prescribed in a cream form, it was called Testim. This really seemed to help me in a lot of areas but there are some dangerous things about Testim that you really have to keep in mind, for instance, if your young son gets the cream on him by transfer (hugging or wrestling) he can start showing signs of early puberty and all that –and we for sure don’t take risks like that likely around our house so I stopped using the cream.
It wasn’t until recently that Dr. Amy at Hippocrates identified that I had low T levels based on my recent bloodwork that she prescribed Testosterone injections that I do once weekly. I do the injections myself once a week, I’m on a 10 week cycle right now that we are really hoping does the trick. I just did the first injection a few days ago and I can honestly say that I am feeling the difference now!! I kind of wish that I had never stopped using the cream but if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t have ever discovered the injections which seem to be doing waaaaaaay better for me.
If you follow me on Facebook you are already aware that I’m “one of those people that shares their workouts” now. I’ve been riding my bike every day and getting my body into shape (albeit gradually, but at my pace). I feel like the testosterone has helped my performance on my bike the past few days too, yesterday I introduced some hills into my workout and while I felt the burn in my legs like never before I was able to do things that I literally couldn’t have done weeks prior. I’m all about pushing myself (at my pace) these days to accomplish some goals.
In closing, I hope these posts are encouraging you guys on your journey, I’ve already talked to a few guys that have said they were inspired and have been taking action. I’d love to hear from you, you can leave me a comment below or drop me a note however you’d like.
Questions or Comments?