30 yr old. Competitive athlete (swimmer/rower) since age of 6 and never skipped longer than a week in exercise except for surgery, been lifting weights since 14.
I stopped drinking 4 years ago, don’t do recreational drugs and track my diet pretty well, MFP says 1800 day streak right now. I am probably low-mid teen BF with usually 4 abs visible but don’t have measurements.
I also sleep 7-8 hours consistently, eat quite healthy. Work/stress has been bad at times in the past but past 4 months have definitely been good. I lift weights 3-6 days/week and do cardio 3-7 days/week depending on which program i follow.
I am however feeling fatigued all the time, can only find energy for my workouts and struggle to do extra activities, my libido is very low and I think for the past 5-6 years I have not had morning wood at all. This is despite having a healthy, consistent relationship all that time.
I live in NYC, so rather difficult to get this checked easily. While visiting my overseas country from US I decided to go to urologist and my test results came out (normal ranges in paranthesis):
Doc basically just suggested viagra prescription and didnt’t see anything off…
Am I wrong in thinking that I may benefit from TRT in these circumstances? From environmental/habitual standpoint I really don’t know how I could improve my energy levels, performance and quality of life. Any advice appreciated.
Overtraining can lead to suppressed testosterone, especially if you’re not eating enough. A lot of doctors don’t really have a good understanding in sex hormones, or do they care about what’s considered healthy normal.
This large group of men was followed for an average of 5.1 years. Men in the highest quartile of total testosterone (above 550 ng/dL) had a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular events. Any level of total testosterone below 550 ng/dL resulted in significant increased risk, thus helping to establish a minimal baseline as to where total testosterone should be to guard against heart attack or stroke. Estradiol levels measured in this group appeared to be mostly in safe ranges and did not impact incidence of cardiovascular events. Data was tabulated based on hospital reports and/or death certificates for heart attack, stroke, unstable angina, bypass surgery, or stenting.
The four quartiles of total testosterone in this large group of older men were:
Quartile 1: Total testosterone below 340 ng/dL.
Quartile 2: Total testosterone be-tween 341-438 ng/dL.
Quartile 3: Total testosterone be-tween 439-549 ng/dL.
Quartile 4: Total testosterone above 550 ng/dL.
Of interest was the finding that Quartiles 1, 2, and 3 had about the same risk of cardiac adverse events. It was only in Quartile 4 (when total testosterone exceeded 550 ng/dL) that the 30% reduction in cardiovascular events occurred. This finding showed that it did not matter if these men’s total testosterone was very low (below 340 in ng/dL) or moderately low (up to 549 ng/dL)…they all had a similar increased risk for suffering a cardiovascular event. Only when total testosterone exceeded 550 ng/dL did cardiovascular risk plummet.
This finding remained consistent for cerebrovascular disease incidence, where men with the highest total testosterone (Quartile 4) had a 24% reduced risk of transient ischemic attack or full-blown stroke. The researchers noted this association with reduced cerebrovascular risk remained after adjustment for traditional risk factors.
No, but without attempting to correct it, you shouldn’t get a script.
You’re a training junkie and it’s likely crushing your hormones. Cut your volume in half or more for 2-3 months. Never work out two days in a row. Change your diet to optimize for T. Consider taking a supplement like Alpha Male or similar. Then re-test to see what your T looks like.
TRT should be the last possible option especially being only 30.
I agree with the previous post on cutting back some on the training, tightening up your diet and re-testing. Remember: TRT is FOREVER and still being a relatively young man means you will be on it for a long time. You also have the other factors to consider such as having children.
That said, YES you will benefit from TRT. Optimizing ones hormones is a game changer. You WILL need a good doc and a reliable way to monitor bloodwork regularly though.
I think some great points have been made. The overtraining and stressful environment in NYC would be the main culprits I’m betting. Also a lack of vitamin D. I don’t know your race but if your not white this will have a pronounced effect. So you have two options.
#1 Do the research and do what you can to optimize nutrition, recovery and sleep to feel your best. This will take months but is the best option.
#2 go to the dark side and take test. Use a doctor as its clear you haven’t done the in depth research. Just remember if you want kids this could be a risk. In terms of positives… if your doc isn’t a fool you will feel like 19 year old you every day in my experience. As mentioned this option is for life… Well worth it for some…
If you are an athlete why food so low? On 1800 I’d be rowing in bed flirting with death lol Overtrained, underfed, goes a long way and seen too many folks over the decades. Incease food and watch everything improve. Pretty much a no-brainer I’d say.
Yeah for the record I am eating between 2500-2700 calories for maintenance. I hear the feedback on overtraining, which is why I am currently experimenting with 3 full body workouts vs PPLPPLR schedule.