Confused...Hormones a Mess...HELP?

Training Over 35 Lifter
1

Was a heavy duty powerlifter and part time bodybuilder who quit using testosterone about 12 years ago. Quit cold turkey because I had to tend to sick family member’s.
Still have quite alot of muscle mass but have accumulated a grotesque amount of abdominal fat.

Had Total testosterone levels measured about 4X over the years and each time it was in the low 200’s (220-240.)
Decided to go on a short cycle about 4 years ago and began to lose belly fat at superhuman speed, but was hit with Lyme’s Disease and again quit using. I’ve always longed to get my T-level’s into a somewhat normal range without having to resort to using TRT for the rest of my life.

So about 8 month’s ago with my total T-levels at 218 I thought maybe theoretically that if I did some conservative PCT’s (even though I have not used TRT in years,) spaced about 3 month’s apart I may in some way be able to reactivate my whacked out HPTA.

So my last PCT was over a month ago and I’ve begun using 75 mg. of DHEA, 3 mg. of melatonin, 2,000 mg. of Tribulis all before bedtime (for like 2 weeks.)

Had my Total Testosterone measured two days ago and it came back at 460, also have noticed good wood in the morning’s.
Free Test. level’s and IGF pending.

Question: Could the higher total test. levels be due to the PCT over a month ago, or are they more likely due to the tribulis, DHEA, Long Jax stack?
My friend who is an MD but in no way a hormone expert doesn’t seem impressed by the over 200 point jump in total testosterone, but I feel it’s significant.

Workout’s have improved but my grotesque belly fat not really budging. Sad because there is alot of muscle elsewhere, diet is not too bad, and cardio work is being performed.
Would like to stay natural. It may not be in the cards, but some wierd things are going on here. Gonads are acutally present and staying that way.

Any idea’s??? Sorry for the ramble but got to try to get my jist across to ya. Don’t trust most MD’s and so called anti-aging doc’s. Thanks.

2

Edit: I mistakenly thought that I was responding to a PM.

Whatever happens, real TRT would work well if it comes to that.

Your increase in T shows that your testes are responsive. Now, can you get off that PCT and keep some gains? I think you are still on PCT in a way with the Tribulis etc.

I think that you need to test serum E2. That may be tipping the balance towards fat retention. Lowering E2 to the lower 20’s will help your HPTA. If you stop the supplements and change your T levels, adex dosing would need to be changed. As you loose fat, you will have less aromatase and will then need less AI.

How is your energy level? Do you sometimes feel cold when it does not make sense? Thyroid problems can make one tired, lethargic and fat, lowering T and causing mental effects.

Most guys in your situation would be jumping at TRT. In the long run, the supplements could be harmful.

How old are you?

What other health problems? With that fat where it is, I would want to know that your fasting serum glucose was ok. CRP, and homocysteine and PSA should be monitored. You could have a metabolic disorder called syndrome-X or -drum roll- “metabolic disorder”. If tests indicate otherwise, good to know. With syndrome-X there is a risk of arterial disease, increased BP, prostate problems, pre-diabetes [insulin resistance] etc. If any of that were true, the best way to reverse that would be TRT.

How are you doing with mood, energy, initative? Any change such as social avoidance? Do you still find pleasure in things or has that changed? There can be things going on in your head from low T and things that low T leads to as a secondary effects.

I probably can assume that your libido is a casualty.

I do ask pointed questions. Most find this of value and simply want to feel like themselves again.

Let me know if you used ephedra or other similar things for a long time. This can be important. There are often multiple factors other than T. The ephedra link is something that I have come to understand… not in terms of T loss, but how effective TRT is in some respects.

I hope that I can help you get better. I do this with many guys at once and do not keep notes or files. Please respond without deleting content and this provides me with context. Use the “quote” to reply to do that. I will ask you some things over again and will repeat some things… I am getting old and do that.

[quote]chilco wrote:
Was a heavy duty powerlifter and part time bodybuilder who quit using testosterone about 12 years ago. Quit cold turkey because I had to tend to sick family member’s.
Still have quite alot of muscle mass but have accumulated a grotesque amount of abdominal fat.

Had Total testosterone levels measured about 4X over the years and each time it was in the low 200’s (220-240.)
Decided to go on a short cycle about 4 years ago and began to lose belly fat at superhuman speed, but was hit with Lyme’s Disease and again quit using. I’ve always longed to get my T-level’s into a somewhat normal range without having to resort to using TRT for the rest of my life.

So about 8 month’s ago with my total T-levels at 218 I thought maybe theoretically that if I did some conservative PCT’s (even though I have not used TRT in years,) spaced about 3 month’s apart I may in some way be able to reactivate my whacked out HPTA.

So my last PCT was over a month ago and I’ve begun using 75 mg. of DHEA, 3 mg. of melatonin, 2,000 mg. of Tribulis all before bedtime (for like 2 weeks.)

Had my Total Testosterone measured two days ago and it came back at 460, also have noticed good wood in the morning’s.
Free Test. level’s and IGF pending.

Question: Could the higher total test. levels be due to the PCT over a month ago, or are they more likely due to the tribulis, DHEA, Long Jax stack?
My friend who is an MD but in no way a hormone expert doesn’t seem impressed by the over 200 point jump in total testosterone, but I feel it’s significant.

Workout’s have improved but my grotesque belly fat not really budging. Sad because there is alot of muscle elsewhere, diet is not too bad, and cardio work is being performed.
Would like to stay natural. It may not be in the cards, but some wierd things are going on here. Gonads are acutally present and staying that way.

Any idea’s??? Sorry for the ramble but got to try to get my jist across to ya. Don’t trust most MD’s and so called anti-aging doc’s. Thanks.[/quote]

3

[quote]KSman wrote:
Whatever happens, real TRT would work well if it comes to that.

Your increase in T shows that your testes are responsive. Now, can you get off that PCT and keep some gains? I think you are still on PCT in a way with the Tribulis etc.

I think that you need to test serum E2. That may be tipping the balance towards fat retention. Lowering E2 to the lower 20’s will help your HPTA. If you stop the supplements and change your T levels, adex dosing would need to be changed. As you loose fat, you will have less aromatase and will then need less AI.

How is your energy level? Do you sometimes feel cold when it does not make sense? Thyroid problems can make one tired, lethargic and fat, lowering T and causing mental effects.

Most guys in your situation would be jumping at TRT. In the long run, the supplements could be harmful.

How old are you?

What other health problems? With that fat where it is, I would want to know that your fasting serum glucose was ok. CRP, and homocysteine and PSA should be monitored. You could have a metabolic disorder called syndrome-X or -drum roll- “metabolic disorder”. If tests indicate otherwise, good to know. With syndrome-X there is a risk of arterial disease, increased BP, prostate problems, pre-diabetes [insulin resistance] etc. If any of that were true, the best way to reverse that would be TRT.

How are you doing with mood, energy, imitative? Any change such as social avoidance? Do you still find pleasure in things or has that changed? There can be things going on in your head from low T and things that low T leads to as a secondary effects.

I probably can assume that your libido is a casualty.

I do ask pointed questions. Most find this of value and simply want to feel like themselves again.

Let me know if you used ephedra or other similar things for a long time. This can be important. There are often multiple factors other than T. The ephedra link is something that I have come to understand… not in terms of T loss, but how effective TRT is in some respects.

I hope that I can help you get better. I do this with many guys at once and do not keep notes or files. Please respond without deleting content and this provides me with context. Use the “quote” to reply to do that. I will ask you some things over again and will repeat some things… I am getting old and do that.

chilco wrote:
Was a heavy duty powerlifter and part time bodybuilder who quit using testosterone about 12 years ago. Quit cold turkey because I had to tend to sick family member’s.
Still have quite alot of muscle mass but have accumulated a grotesque amount of abdominal fat.

Had Total testosterone levels measured about 4X over the years and each time it was in the low 200’s (220-240.)
Decided to go on a short cycle about 4 years ago and began to lose belly fat at superhuman speed, but was hit with Lyme’s Disease and again quit using. I’ve always longed to get my T-level’s into a somewhat normal range without having to resort to using TRT for the rest of my life.

So about 8 month’s ago with my total T-levels at 218 I thought maybe theoretically that if I did some conservative PCT’s (even though I have not used TRT in years,) spaced about 3 month’s apart I may in some way be able to reactivate my whacked out HPTA.

So my last PCT was over a month ago and I’ve begun using 75 mg. of DHEA, 3 mg. of melatonin, 2,000 mg. of Tribulis all before bedtime (for like 2 weeks.)

Had my Total Testosterone measured two days ago and it came back at 460, also have noticed good wood in the morning’s.
Free Test. level’s and IGF pending.

Question: Could the higher total test. levels be due to the PCT over a month ago, or are they more likely due to the tribulis, DHEA, Long Jax stack?
My friend who is an MD but in no way a hormone expert doesn’t seem impressed by the over 200 point jump in total testosterone, but I feel it’s significant.

Workout’s have improved but my grotesque belly fat not really budging. Sad because there is alot of muscle elsewhere, diet is not too bad, and cardio work is being performed.
Would like to stay natural. It may not be in the cards, but some wierd things are going on here. Gonads are acutally present and staying that way.

Any idea’s??? Sorry for the ramble but got to try to get my jist across to ya. Don’t trust most MD’s and so called anti-aging doc’s. Thanks.

[/quote]
I am 43 years old and have been battling this low testosterone thing for over 11 years.
I guess I’m just super stubborn as I feel if I cou just get this belly fat off I could get on with my life. No matter what I’ve tried to stay consistent with exercise and am still relatively strong compared to most guys in the gym. My recupertatvie abilites are much less though.

The reason I tried the PCT was that I thought that never having done one maybe I oculd kick start things, and to a degree I think there have been some positive’s there.
I had used testosterone for years prior to just stopping.
A fertility doc had put me on gads of HCG to get the wife pregnant and it was successful (wife had twins,) but then they fell ill and shortly after that my wife got ill with deadly disease. Needless to say I fell into a tailspin of depression and gloom, which is when the fat accumulation really took off (my entire lifestyle and regimen were out of whack.) Life became more a game of survival and tending to other’s needs instead of my own vanity. Was put on Lexapro and testosterone levels slid even more (felt like a dead man walking.)

Fasting serum glucose is within normal ranges. In hospital recently due to adverse reaction to blood pressure medication (borderline bp, LVH.) Cholesterol was real low, Thyroid tests were all normal. Retested at many levels still normal. not had CRP or homoscystiene’s checked although I do take supp’s with alot of B-Complex and folic acid included. One ER doc did note: "patient may suffer from metabolic syndrome…)

Wierdly enough my father has the same fat distribution around his mid-section which began around age 39. My only saving grace is that I have an abnormal amount of muscle elswhere which saves me from looking like humpty dumpty.
I think my situation stemmed from sloppy testosterone usage, followed up by emotional crisis.

And as previously stated I went on a small cycle of testosterone about 4 years ago and the belly fat literally melted off of me, but I have fallen into the “bodybuilder be guilty syndrome” and decided to try all “other” avenues before resorting to TRT for the rest of my life.
Q: why is the long term use of Tribulis bad for you?
PSA was normal when I had it tested 4 years ago.Other than that I’ve only had DRE done since, but know I’ve got to re-do this (phobia.)Last PSA = .6
Ya know…sometime’s I wonder if I ever even had normal test/estrogen levels to begin with??? Even as a teen wrestler at 130 lbs. I’d be ripped throughout and still have a belly on me. Recuperation was awful as a teen and when my buddies were ready to train I had to do it on pure adrenalin even though I was so sore and fatigued.
The only time I ever got down into single digit bodyfat numbers was when using A-50 twenty years ago (which again was wierd cause i was told this would bloat me up and make me fat.)

anyway I hope I’m not counfusing you w/ too much, but something positive (or at least feels positive) is going on now. Gonad’s are larger, sleep better, A.M. erections returning. Kinda corellating with the initiation of the tribulis, DHEA, Long Jax, & melatonin.
I am by no means an expert on E2 but any info. or friendly advice to help me get his belly fat off would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. If you could literally take a knife and excise the belly fat, I’d actually look like a real bodybuilder again. But all I’m shooting for now is fitness.

In response to your question about mood: Yes I do avoid things more. Not sure if that’s due to my physical state or if it’s a social phobia. Energy level’s are not that great but I still manage to go to the gym, and man it sucks busting ass (old school style) and getting very little back.
Had to beg my PCP to give me a glucose tolerance test like 2 years ago and yes I was at the time hypoglycemic (which i think I have been my entire life.)Anyway it doesn’t feel as bad as it used to since losing like 17 lbs.
If you could help me you’d be helping one f’d up guy. still the little voice in my head says don’t give up.

Thank You.

4

Sorry forgot about ephedra question.
No. Not this, but yes had a slight reliance on phnetermine 12 yrs. ago. On and off usage.
Also a bit addicted to yohimbe back then.
the coffee/yohimbe/phentermine could not have been good.
Not all 3 together, but back and forth with each.

5

I think that the E2 testing is very important and is also a logical follow-up the “patient may suffer from metabolic syndrome”.

Antidepressants [SSRIs]and blood pressure meds will increase E and lower T. Statin drugs as well.

High blood pressure? That too is consistent with endothelial dysfunction and metabolic disorder. This can be further studied with the CRP [c-reactive protein] and homocystine tests.

The folic acid and B vits are helpful for this.

With low T, the muscles in your blood vessels do not expand to receive blood pulses properly. TRT improves that muscle tone and generally improved endothelial function.

Low T can cause mental/mood problems and even depression.

6

So… if test. level’s stay constant or even improve could one institute the use of adex (if E2 comes back high?)
One thing is for sure…I haven’t slept a decent night in 10 years and on the current stack I’m using I’m actually resting a bit better.
Yes I know I should be on the TRT (no doubt in my mind.)

The only down side I see to it is if somewhere for some reason I get sick one day, the first thing the doctor would do is advise a patient to get off of his TRT.
Then your left to battle a disease or illness with super-low test. levels.
However from what I’m seeing in the real world, most of the guys on TRT and GH are roaring into their 50’s and 60’s strong!

7

Why would you have to come off TRT if you get sick? Would it in most cases benefit to stay on? I am new and just wondering.

I was told recently I had Lyme Disease. I was misdiagnosed having MS for over 20 years. I also do not sleep, do you think this might have been caused by the Lyme disease?

8

Lyme’s disease is wicked and can mess up the whole system severely. I syympathize w/ you.
The only thing that helped me out was a regimen of vitamin’s (mainly anti-oxidants) and vitamin D with calcium.

Have you been on long term antibiotic treatment’s??? If so a probiotic would help replenish the good flora in your gut.
This is the exact reason I fear doctor’s.
When I say get off TRT I’m referring to an unfortunate diagnosis of prostate or “other” types of cancer.

I’m sure there would be a mixed school of thougt’s regarding TRT while undergoing chemo, but again that is a concern and a question of mine?

I have seen one older guy at the gym who had a real serious auto accident which crippled him badly, get s 'scrip from his doc for TRT and he looked better than he did prior to the accident in 6 months (except for the chronic limp.)But just as fast as these gains came, they went. I guess his doctor yanked his TRT, and he’s taken another downturn.

I as well as you am trying to learn more in here. The guys in here seem to know alot. And although they are humble and won’t say it…in most cases know more than most doc’s and sadly more than some MD’s who call themselve’s endocrinologist’s and anti-aging specialist’s. The endo’s are great at wagging a finger in your face and berating you.

9

Might try the melatonin for the sleep issue.
I know we hear it alot on t.v. and in the news but when your sleep cycle is chronically messed up it can set off a chain reaction to nowhere.

My grandfather lived to be 100 and was in bed by 8:00 pm every night, gave up his driver’s license at 35 and walked everywhere in the city until about the age of 92.

10

Got my testosterone levels back and they are as follows:

Total Tesotsterone= 279 (Normal 241-827)
Free Testosterone= 1.43 (Normal 0.95-4.30)
Testosterone % Free= 0.51% (H)(Normal 0.33-0.48) % of total. (No idea what this means?)

IGF-1= 110 (Normal 101-267)

E2 not tested but will have that done asap.

I’m hesitant to being TRT as the last doc who attemtped it 2 years ago gave me 200 mg of IM Testosterone and had me fatter and more bloated than I already was.
So guys??? How messed up am I?

11

[quote]chilco wrote:
Got my testosterone levels back and they are as follows:

Total Tesotsterone= 279 (Normal 241-827)
Free Testosterone= 1.43 (Normal 0.95-4.30)
Testosterone % Free= 0.51% (H)(Normal 0.33-0.48) % of total. (No idea what this means?)

IGF-1= 110 (Normal 101-267)

E2 not tested but will have that done asap.

I’m hesitant to being TRT as the last doc who attemtped it 2 years ago gave me 200 mg of IM Testosterone and had me fatter and more bloated than I already was.
So guys??? How messed up am I?[/quote]

Fatter and more bloated you say? Let me guess; he never checked your E2 levels did he? For guys that are prone to E2 conversion (read: overweight) any extra T has a habit of becoming E2 and making life worse instead of better. Am I close here?

12

yes…I have never been able to tolerate high levels of testosterone. Thhere was a point where about 75 mg. seemed beneficial. I know my test. levels are low and i’ll probably have to use it, but it scares me. I’d llike to find a natural E2 supplement (don’t know if that is possible?) and if not will ask about the adex although i am sure the docs won’t know much about it and try to scare the hell out of me.

That’ll leave me twisting in the wind for heaven knows how long? If push comes to shove I’ll try to find a source for the adex.
I have always had problems with my weight and even in my novice bodybuilding days had to resort to exotic blends to pare me down. When I quit bodybuilding my weight came back with a vengeance and no matter how hard i work it’s getting worse not better. Even my wife says I eat good and train hard, but yet NO weightloss??? If I could get the weight off I wouldn’t care what my testosterone levels were.

I do know that starting the DHEA 3 weeks ago has dropped my 'nads (so I don’t know what is up with that?) But again am unsure if DHEA will drive up the E2 even further. (I reiterate…my 'nads haven’t been this well hung in 10 years…anyone have an answer?)An answer for any of this?

13

[quote]chilco wrote:
yes…I have never been able to tolerate high levels of testosterone. Thhere was a point where about 75 mg. seemed beneficial. I know my test. levels are low and i’ll probably have to use it, but it scares me. I’d llike to find a natural E2 supplement (don’t know if that is possible?) and if not will ask about the adex although i am sure the docs won’t know much about it and try to scare the hell out of me. That’ll leave me twisting in the wind for heaven knows how long? If push comes to shove I’ll try to find a source for the adex.
I have always had problems with my weight and even in my novice bodybuilding days had to resort to exotic blends to pare me down. When I quit bodybuilding my weight came back with a vengeance and no matter how hard i work it’s getting worse not better. Even my wife says I eat good and train hard, but yet NO weightloss??? If I could get the weight off I wouldn’t care what my testosterone levels were.
I do know that starting the DHEA 3 weeks ago has dropped my 'nads (so I don’t know what is up with that?) But again am unsure if DHEA will drive up the E2 even further. (I reiterate…my 'nads haven’t been this well hung in 10 years…anyone have an answer?)An answer for any of this?
[/quote]

14

[quote]chilco wrote:
I have always had problems with my weight and even in my novice bodybuilding days had to resort to exotic blends to pare me down. When I quit bodybuilding my weight came back with a vengeance and no matter how hard i work it’s getting worse not better. Even my wife says I eat good and train hard, but yet NO weightloss??? If I could get the weight off I wouldn’t care what my testosterone levels were.
[/quote]

Let’s look at nutrition first. Do you eat six times a day? Do you weigh your food so you can know how many calories and how many grams of carbs, fats, and protein you’re eating every day? If not, then you have no idea if you’re eating right.

“Training” can mean many things, but when it comes to fat loss, the main goal is to exercise in a way that keeps your metabolism high even though you are in calorie deficit. That means High Intensity Interval Training in addition to lifting weights.

The main thing to remember is that while supplements and hormones can contribute to fat loss, they are only minor players and won’t help you at all if you’re not on a solid exercise and nutrition program. If you’re not losing fat, it’s because your nutrition and exercise programs aren’t right and you need to fix those first.

15

[quote]happydog48 wrote:
chilco wrote:
I have always had problems with my weight and even in my novice bodybuilding days had to resort to exotic blends to pare me down. When I quit bodybuilding my weight came back with a vengeance and no matter how hard i work it’s getting worse not better. Even my wife says I eat good and train hard, but yet NO weightloss??? If I could get the weight off I wouldn’t care what my testosterone levels were.

Let’s look at nutrition first. Do you eat six times a day? Do you weigh your food so you can know how many calories and how many grams of carbs, fats, and protein you’re eating every day? If not, then you have no idea if you’re eating right.

“Training” can mean many things, but when it comes to fat loss, the main goal is to exercise in a way that keeps your metabolism high even though you are in calorie deficit. That means High Intensity Interval Training in addition to lifting weights.

The main thing to remember is that while supplements and hormones can contribute to fat loss, they are only minor players and won’t help you at all if you’re not on a solid exercise and nutrition program. If you’re not losing fat, it’s because your nutrition and exercise programs aren’t right and you need to fix those first.[/quote]

Yes I’ve been counting my calories, reducing my carbs, limiting fats and over the past month not eating “anything” past 6:30 pm. Have gradually reduced my calorie intake from 3,000 cals, to 2,700 calories, down to 2,300 cals, down to 2,000 cals, and now at about 1,850 calories a days. This is depressing because I’ve always had trouble curbing my hunger at night, but now I’m solid with that and guess what??? Not a pound of weight loss. This blows! Yes I eat about 5-6 small meals per day. Example: Today- Breakfast- 3 egg whites, 1/2 apple, 1T natural peanut butter.
Lunch: 4 oz. chicken breast, 3/4 cup fat free yougurt, 4 strawberries, small baked yam w/ 1 tsp. olive oil
well you get the idea???
Could do more cardio work but was going balls out in additon to my weight workouts for 2 months solid and saw little in regards to weight loss (HIIT included,) so I’ve backed off.
This is the perpetual rut. I know guys that have test. levels in the 130 range that are 10X leaner than me!

16

It always boils down to you have to do whatever it takes.

If the amount you eat and the amount you work out isn’t causing the fat loss you want, then the answer is that you have to eat even less and work out even more.

It’s calories in vs. calories out and NOTHING ever changes that.

Testosterone helps with the calories out side of the equation by building muscle which burns calories, but it’s not a magic bullet and it doesn’t change the fact that in vs. out is still the controlling factor.

Personally I rarely get above 1200 calories a day and I’m 6’2" and weigh 185 lbs and work out like an animal. And yes, I’m almost always hungry and that’s just the way it is for me. Sure I know guys who eat all they want and never gain fat, but I’m not one of them so I do what I have to do. We’re all in that same boat.

17

[quote]chilco wrote:
Got my testosterone levels back and they are as follows:

Total Tesotsterone= 279 (Normal 241-827)
Free Testosterone= 1.43 (Normal 0.95-4.30)
Testosterone % Free= 0.51% (H)(Normal 0.33-0.48) % of total. (No idea what this means?)

IGF-1= 110 (Normal 101-267)

E2 not tested but will have that done asap.

I’m hesitant to being TRT as the last doc who attempted it 2 years ago gave me 200 mg of IM Testosterone and had me fatter and more bloated than I already was.
So guys??? How messed up am I?[/quote]

Low T [from low LH] and low IGF-1 suggests that you might have a general state if pituitary insufficiency. That could also affect your thyroid and maybe your adrenals.

Low thyroid levels can make you fat and lower your T levels.

Alcohol, grapefruit, some prescription & OCT drugs and some supplements [ephedra!] can lower T and increase E.

Where is your cholesterol, total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides and have increases in cholesterol tracked your perception of decline that is now known to be hormonal?

You need labs to check to see what other pituitary controlled hormone systems are doing. TRT can improve thyroid functions and restoring thyroid levels can improve T. hCG levels can also be part of this co-dependent action.

18

[quote]KSman wrote:
chilco wrote:
Got my testosterone levels back and they are as follows:

Total Tesotsterone= 279 (Normal 241-827)
Free Testosterone= 1.43 (Normal 0.95-4.30)
Testosterone % Free= 0.51% (H)(Normal 0.33-0.48) % of total. (No idea what this means?)

IGF-1= 110 (Normal 101-267)

E2 not tested but will have that done asap.

I’m hesitant to being TRT as the last doc who attempted it 2 years ago gave me 200 mg of IM Testosterone and had me fatter and more bloated than I already was.
So guys??? How messed up am I?

Low T [from low LH] and low IGF-1 suggests that you might have a general state if pituitary insufficiency. That could also affect your thyroid and maybe your adrenals.

Low thyroid levels can make you fat and lower your T levels.

Alcohol, grapefruit, some prescription & OCT drugs and some supplements [ephedra!] can lower T and increase E.

Where is your cholesterol, total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides and have increases in cholesterol tracked your perception of decline that is now known to be hormonal?

You need labs to check to see what other pituitary controlled hormone systems are doing. TRT can improve thyroid functions and restoring thyroid levels can improve T. hCG levels can also be part of this co-dependent action.[/quote]

KSMAN…Thyroid always checks out normal, but when I do the morning body temperature check I am frigid at about 95.5 degrees. I’ve told numerous doctor’s about his and they tell me my test number’s are normal and not to worry about what my body temp is in the A.M. (Although I’ve suspected thyroid problems over the years.)

Cholesterol has gone up or down over the years based on how much I exercise and the diet I consume. Was up to about 210 4-5 years ago, but now at about 175. I have cut alcohol out completely (never was a big drinker.)can’t tolerate grapefruit, and ephedra is a no no with my fluctuating BP.

Again the one thing troubling me is my current response to the DHEA I started taking recently. My 'nads have done dropped to the floor and I’m not sure why this has happened??? (Not a bad thing I suppose?)But I am tapering on this DHEA as I want to clean out what? Maybe 3-4 weeks before getting my bloodwork re-done?

Anyway the anti-aging doc will be testing for alot of stuff, and I am of course freaking out, but I know if I am going to live I’ve got to get this weight off and get to feeling alive again. As always thanks for the reply.

20

Are you still on lexapro,? average weight gain is 10 -25 pounds with that crap, I know I am on Lexapro and tapering off it. Lexapro and all ssri are poison and absolutely last resort