question about medical practitioner

nomatter · Jul 19, 2008

I read a lot about the hrt and testosterone, and its relation to bodybuilding. Im 40, have been consistently training and adhering to a strict diet for 18 months now. Im not at all disappointed in progress, but of course would like it to be better. I know signs of test decline include low sex drive, dunlop, and general laziness

(ok I mean beer belly and lack of energy) but how do you tell if its normal aging..or low test levels? Or do they come hand in hand more or less?

Ive always been sports minded, trained heavy in my 20s, coached softball with the kids, had membership to the local gym blah blah blah. Now I actually have become serious about training, and feel better than I have in years. The wife is on me to see the doctor though. For a physical, its been since 1986 since I saw a doc, for real..they just have bad news and I feel good.

How do you approach the test thing with one? "Like hey doc, my penis is lacking can you check my test?" No really, Im kinda at a loss, I have no family doctor anymore, he has since retired. Is this a standard "test for test" they would do at a physical?

And has anyone used the "test for test" they sell at supp sites? BTW I havent ever used gear so thats not a factor.

Hey and I love all the info available on this board...by far the most professional, informational place dedicated to bodybuilding. I appreciate the sharing you all do.

VTliftVT · Jul 19, 2008

nomatter said:
I read a lot about the hrt and testosterone, and its relation to bodybuilding. Im 40, have been consistently training and adhering to a strict diet for 18 months now. Im not at all disappointed in progress, but of course would like it to be better. I know signs of test decline include low sex drive, dunlop, and general laziness (ok I mean beer belly and lack of energy) but how do you tell if its normal aging..or low test levels? Or do they come hand in hand more or less?

Ive always been sports minded, trained heavy in my 20s, coached softball with the kids, had membership to the local gym blah blah blah. Now I actually have become serious about training, and feel better than I have in years. The wife is on me to see the doctor though. For a physical, its been since 1986 since I saw a doc, for real..they just have bad news and I feel good.

How do you approach the test thing with one? "Like hey doc, my penis is lacking can you check my test?" No really, Im kinda at a loss, I have no family doctor anymore, he has since retired. Is this a standard "test for test" they would do at a physical?

And has anyone used the "test for test" they sell at supp sites? BTW I havent ever used gear so thats not a factor.

Hey and I love all the info available on this board...by far the most professional, informational place dedicated to bodybuilding. I appreciate the sharing you all do.

This will really depend on you insurance company and it's policies. If your insurance will immediately cover a visit to the endocrinologist, do that. Get a full hormone panel done which will cover all your basis, and of course include your test levels.

If thats not the case, then you should go to your general practitioner and get her to write a referral to the endo. At 40, I feel you shouldn't have a problem getting the referral.

From there your endo will be able to tell where your test levels are and if need be, introduce you to TRT or HRT depending on the outcome of the tests.

B1gJ1m · Jul 19, 2008

There are alot of doctors that specialize in HRT for men. As you know the test levels begin to decline for men in the early thirties. You can probably check with a general practitioner to see if they offer that testing and treatment. But I think your best bet would be to find someone that specializes in the treatment of low test levels. They will do a series of blood tests to determine your baseline level. After the treatment begins, you would more than likely be required to submit to regular blood tests to ensure you're in a "normal" range.

Nssca · Jul 19, 2008

Tell your Provider you would like a consult to a endocrinologist to test your test levels. He'll ask why, just tell him I want to know if you have low test levels.
You don't need an big grocery list of symptoms to get it tested..just tell him/her you want it done.

homonunculus · Jul 19, 2008

How is your sex drive?...

Any erectile difficulties?...

-S

VTliftVT · Jul 19, 2008

homonunculus said:
How is your sex drive?...

Any erectile difficulties?...

-S

This isn't always a sign of low test. I had my levels tested and they were below 200. I stil had a sex drive and no erectile disorders....just throwing that out there.

In case it matters, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.

pesty4077 · Jul 19, 2008

Well,
There is one important thing that will effect overall health, DIET! If you are not eating healthy, you can take your HRT, but it not going to contribute as much as eating a good diet. Also STRESS is a testosterone killer. At 40, your levels will be lower than in your 20's, you need to get bloodwork done. I would go to someone that specializes in HRT, or some doctor that has an open mind.

A general doctor might not be willing as much to prescribe test because of their harmful effects on you.

LOL Well, that is what the media tells us.

nomatter · Jul 19, 2008

My sex drive isnt what it used to be, thats for sure. However Ive been married 23 years...happily I might add, and isnt it normal for the sex to diminish a little? or perhaps thats just it, because of low test levels it does. I dont have any erectile difficulties though. From what I read the quality of life in general improves if testosterone is higher.

I didnt factor in cost, so I will have to check my insurance for sure. We have a large book of "accepted" providers, Ill look into that too. Not actually having a regular doctor, as I havent been even for a checkup in years, makes things a little more difficult too. Im going to have to just buck up and find an md.

homonunculus · Jul 20, 2008

VTliftVT said:
This isn't always a sign of low test. I had my levels tested and they were below 200. I stil had a sex drive and no erectile disorders....just throwing that out there.

In case it matters, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor.

Thanks for that.

However, low libido and erectile difficulties are among the top symptoms of andropause and it hadn't been mentioned yet as a specific symptom to present to the Doc, so I brought it up.

nomatter said:
My sex drive isnt what it used to be, thats for sure. However Ive been married 23 years...happily I might add, and isnt it normal for the sex to diminish a little? or perhaps thats just it, because of low test levels it does. I dont have any erectile difficulties though. From what I read the quality of life in general improves if testosterone is higher.

I didnt factor in cost, so I will have to check my insurance for sure. We have a large book of "accepted" providers, Ill look into that too. Not actually having a regular doctor, as I havent been even for a checkup in years, makes things a little more difficult too. Im going to have to just buck up and find an md.

NM,

Yes it is "normal" for sexual activity to diminish as we age. Also note my comment above. Low test levels can definitely be a cause for decreased libido. (I think you'll find little argument against that...)

-S