Kinda feel embarrassed and I don’t why…but anyone ever been tested and had low testosterone?

Been getting periods of feeling really run down and tired, kept going back to doctors and they ran standard blood tests but got nowhere… just told middle aged men working long hours get tired..but I kept disagreeing thinking it was more than that. I ride often and go to gym for circuit training and intervals on bike, but never seem to get any fitter or advance at all either.

So paid for private test and it came back as being low, which may explain a lot.

Anyone had same and sought treatment for it?

When I read up on it, some day treatment is way forward, some say it is wrong as it takes over from the hormones you are producing and suppresses them?

Hi mate

Yep. Bit of a taboo subject but I’m now on TRT. I think you will find it a huge struggle to get it done via NHS GPs (I certainly did – it took 5 years of nagging and a bit of a breakdown in the GPs surgery before somebody took it seriously).
This problem seems to be poorly understood and quite frankly they treat testosterone as if it’s nuclear waste – far too dangerous and complicated for plebs like us to understand. The NHS must have offered me Viagra probably 10 times before referring me to the right people who quickly diagnosed the real issue. GPs simply could not/would not understand the problem (I never even had erectile dysfunction in any case – rather I’d lost interest in sex and life in general felt a bit flat, almost like mild depression).

So if you can afford it/have private health cover I would strongly recommend you go there any ask for a referral to an endocrinologist.

Thanks for that. I’ve been to GP about low mood, long periods of feeling really tired, of any sort of prolonged exercise leaving me wiped out and the minute I have a few days off work, I seem to get as I seem to have no immune system, but they just keep testing for iron/thyroid/blood glucose over and over until I paid for the test.

Do you find the treatment helped?

If you want to know all the indignities that age is about to drop on you, there’s a forum for the 50+ age group on mtbr.

Here’s the the testosterone thread:

https://forums.mtbr.com/fifty-years-old/testosterone-replacement-therapy-trt-1053366.html

Yes definitely, It’s early days for me but so far so good.

Your symptoms do sound plausable for low test, there’s a lot of overlap with mine there.

The thing is though, low test can be caused by poor sleep, or diet, general unhealthiness etc so eliminate problems in those areas first. Trt is not without downsides, it affects fertility and it’s not guaranteed that stopping treatment will ever return you to your natural levels.

All that said, for me it’s been great so far.

ETA I’m age 36 my level was 4.Something nmol. What’s yours?

I’m 44, level was 7.2 on test

Due to the symptoms I have for the last 4 months tried to tackle it, I have cleaned up diet, upped protein intake and I go to the gym 4-5 times a week following MTBfitness program, as well as riding 40-50 miles on gravel bike at weekend. I have made sure I get 7 hours sleep a night and alcohol is almost nil which has been tough.

But I still get the low mood and fatigue and I just seem to go through motions in gym despite following structure plan, I don’t seem to get any fitter (I’m not interested in muscle, I’m an old rugby prop forward so a big mad anyway) I just enjoy big days in the bike and want to stop being a grumpy fit every time I get tired as I’m normally pretty laid back

8 is the cut off so you’re a candidate for sure.

You’ll find it varies a bit from test to test, I got 8.1, 5…, 4… on different occasions.

All your symptoms match mine really. I’d really consider pushing for an appointment with an endo 👍

Thanks for taking time to answer, thanks mate

Where did you get test done?

Hi
I got test done via a company called letsgetchecked.com along with checking for a couple of other things I wanted to discount.

Yes,

Had a sh1tty snip, which required more surgery a year later to cut the plumbing away from leftie – my that was sore. Anyway, 6 months later, feeling crap, big time increases on my commute, no power. Insisted on a full set of bloods and my T came in around 6. GP refused to do anything until I’d seen a consultant – lost my sh1t and left the practice (they hadn’t mentioned the risk of long term nut pain after the snip, and at this points it was nearly 2 years of constant pain. Went to another local practice, and the GP prescribed gel to start. Been a long battle. Has sustanon injections, but these would last just two weeks, and I would be hobbling for 5-7 days out of 14 as the nurse just shoved the needle in too fast.

I’m now on Tostran – it comes in a pump dispenser. Only issue are that supplies are in short order at present, for all of the choices.

Injections – one every 2-3 weeks (sustanon) or one every 10-12 weeks (Nebido. Gel is Tostran or Testim/testogel – apply daily.

The gel is easy, I’ve found it better for application on my sides – it burn my skin on my shoulders. I try and split my dose 2/3rds in the morning and a 1/3rd in the evening as the numerous tests came out like this:-

8 (max) squirts of Tostran in the morning – blood test 2 hours later I’d be 30 n/mol. Blood tests late afternoon, about 13. Morning, before applying gel 5-6.

That’s too much of a swing, so I’ve split my dose to even it out. I’m having real issues getting a supply – had problems since September. Both local pharmacies struggling – independant couldn’t get it, Lloyds could just. So switched th ‘Echo’ on line, which is Lloyds, guess what, they are struggling.

I’ve got about 4-5 months supply built up as I’ve been cutting my dose down, to make it last – some is better than none.

I had a period with no T replacement (after I broke my spine) and my levels dropped to 5, so no chance of improvement.

Sex drive still isn’t great, but no errection problems.

Don’t under estimate how tired you get.

Any questions ask – I’ve been on it since 2014 (ill fated snip in 2012).

There used to be a UK forum on line but it’s gone now – wasn’t terribly busy, but lots of knowledge.

PS I was mid 40’s, and as I’d had kids and ‘the op’, fertility wasn’t an issue (plus lefty couldn’t be reversed if I wanted as the pipes have gone – the epididymis was cut out).

Only issues with gel is watch skin contact with others for at least two hours, and wash hands after as you don’t want a hairy wife. 🙂

Next step is back to the GP for referral to Endocrinilogy. You ideally need this via the GP, as each ‘gel’ is about £50, and I use 2 per month.

I managed to see a chap (now retired) in Manchester, who put down ‘unknown reasons’ – it was obvious that two surgeries caused it. My current GP is absolutely fine – you’ll find some that won’t prescribe, especially female.

As said by others, it’s not easy to get – but if a few blood tests back it up, you need it. Once on it, it’s for life.

Thanks for taking time to reply Fossy

There are ways to raise testosterone naturally – both fasting and heavy lifting in the gym can increase testosterone levels without using supplements. It may help in the short term until you can get an appointment.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/3106181/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/2796409/

Tostran supply problems

:Ninja: I’m working on it.

OP’s tried diet changes, his levels are too low for heavy weights etc to make a difference. It won’t be a quick to get on treatment, but I felt ‘normal’ again after a few months on treatment. The difference in time and energy on my commute was very noticeable.

The ‘range’ is around 10-30 – 40 year old bloke should be looking at around high teens to 20. Many people feel ‘symptoms’ below 15, and the British Endocrinology Society recomment treatment under 12, but in reality, 8 and below and they might do something. It’s very much responsible for low mood/drpression.

PS, taking replacement therapy of any sort, shuts down what you’ve already got – you can’t ‘boost it’ a ‘little’ – it’s all or nothing – you might get a little higher reading after taking a little (like some sports folk do), but long term you can’t boost it, other than on full replacement.

Bear in mind possible side effects, like prostate canser increased risk (you’ll get the finger check on going on replacement, then get PSA checked regular – it will go up a bit on replacement, so don’t worry).

Thanks Fossy

PS excuse the typo’s – just trying to get it all down.

PS got my ‘dose’ intervals about right now, as I’m not sweatting my ass off all night, or getting bad hot flushes – yes just like women in menopause (I’ve been open at work, as sometimes you’ll be driping et in a work shirt.

Just as a aside I had similar symptoms ( tiredness, night sweats, bowel disturbance, ” cannae be bothered” feeling). The only abnormal test result I had was low Vit D.

Taking Vit D has “cured” me. Trouble is both symptoms and recovery were vague so its not clear how much was in my head of both!

two weeks of Vit D supplementation and i started to notice results

So Vit D might be worth trying

There was an article about low testosterone in the Graudian recently. Fatigue and brain fog are my biggies and similarly bloods have always come back normal. I did go to my GP and she didn’t even vaguely entertain the conversation.
I’ve just ordered a test from letsgetchecked (thanks for that – and 30% off just now) so will see. The quest to feel regularly normal goes on.

I’ll keep an eye on this thread.

I’ve had consistent low results but no GP willing to act on it.

I was diagnosed with low T about 5 years ago. Had been feeling extremely fatigued over a period of time, eventually leading to 2 weeks bed rest. I felt almost permanently dizzy, spaced out and drained. Eventually after seeing a private endocrinologist, T levels were found to be around 4. Although a normal range is from around 7 upwards, you need to understand that this covers all ages. Typically a younger person will have a value in the high 20s, while an OAP will be at the lower end. I was ~40 at the time so levels were very low.

Started with Testogel which had limited effect. Then tried Tostran, which I had a bad skin reaction too. Moved to Nebido injections, originally at 8 week intervals to try and get the levels up, now on 10 week intervals. I have never got fully back to feeling ‘normal’, still get quite easily tired, and can get a bit dizzy if pushing myself on the bike, but have just learnt to recognise the signs and ease off a bit as and when required. I have also now been diagnosed with slightly low cortisol so am on hydrocortisone tablets to try and help with that – not uncommon if the pituitary gland is not working right for more than 1 of your hormones to go out of kilter, apparently, but feeling a bit better on the HC tablets!

GPs simply could not/would not understand the problem (I never even had erectile dysfunction in any case – rather I’d lost interest in sex and life in general felt a bit flat, almost like mild depression).

Not being funny and a genuine question but I’m kinda happy on losing interest in sex.
Not that I have any idea of my testosterone levels.. but its something I’d thought was actually not a bad thing my side of 50… but then I could do without the depression and brain fog and hadn’t really even connected them with something like this before seeing this thread.

I’d mostly just thought lack on interest in sex was just being over 50 ???

Just as a aside I had similar symptoms ( tiredness, night sweats, bowel disturbance, ” cannae be bothered” feeling). The only abnormal test result I had was low Vit D.

All my tests (joint/connective tissue) have been negative except Vit D… though other than joints its more the cannae be bothered and depression….

Why would you think a lack of interest in sex was ” normal ” upon reaching 50 ?
I’m 12 years beyond that age and just as ” interested ” as I ever was ..

Why would you think a lack of interest in sex was ” normal ” upon reaching 50 ?

I’d always just assumed as testosterone decreases after puberty its sort of a gradual decline?

I’m 12 years beyond that age and just as ” interested ” as I ever was ..

Well when I was 16-?? as far as I remember this was pretty much all I was interested in…
At some point (couldn’t say when) but by 40 I was just down to “mostly” and still making poor life decisions thinking with my “lower brain”…
then had a kid – not planned but … well not thinking that straight to be honest… and for various reasons not “getting any” but then when I think about it I’m sorta also a bit relieved not to be thinking about sex or at least certainly not like when I was 16???

I guess a parallel is when I was younger I loved silly fast cars… and now to some extent I drive a fast-but-sensible car but if it was worth selling I’d probably be happier with a slow-van…???

Stevextc
First of all ..please dont think that what I’ve previously written was in any way a criticism ..and while writing that I was still as interested as I ever was ..that doesn’t mean that I’m at the same level of activity as 40 years ago ..I just haven’t lost interest at all ..
I think that maybe I’m very fortunate to have a partner who is a good bit younger than myself who I still lust after ..
On the subject of tiredness and general cant be botheredness ..vitamin D has been suggested ..but I have a vitamin B12 injection every 12 weeks which was prescribed for that reason ..If I’m being honest I dont really feel any boost at all ( as I’m told that some people do) ..but maybe that is the whole point ..I certainly dont feel as tired as I used to ..
Best wishes to all in terms of getting the treatment needed..

First of all ..please dont think that what I’ve previously written was in any way a criticism

Not all all…. I’m on sub-lingual B12 anyway after a 3mo set of injections in 2015.
I guess I’m now wondering about testosterone based on the thread …???

What I can appreciate sounding weird is why specifically not being much interested in sex wouldn’t bother me… that’s probably harder to explain.
In some way’s (not exactly) its like working your ass off for a job and getting a good salary then you win the lottery and you look back and think now you have the money was the stuff seemed so important when money was a driver as now it’s not? Was it worth missing your kids childhood or something and did you make decisions it was worth it that now seem questionable?

Looking from a different perspective I share a house with my son’s mother who isn’t interested in sex with me so in many way’s it would be inconvenient and it’s been so long that to be honest I forgot what I was missing.

Still no prescription. I’ve been having difficulty since September getting supplies, and it’s been numerous visits to my chemist, then a visit to collect my prescription from them to hunt down another chemist. I was getting tired of this so went with Lloyds ‘Echo’ on-line prescriptions to save the running about – three weeks later ‘we are experiencing delays with your prescription’. If Lloyds can’t get it, then who can ?

stevextc
I’d mostly just thought lack on interest in sex was just being over 50 ???

God, no! 🙂

Got my result back from LGC. Bang on middle of healthy range, which is good to know.

Wow, this is an eye opener.
For the last 12 months or so I’ve been having the same symptoms described above. Have been back to the doctors a number of times blood taken, and the result is low in VIT D and B12. Which I’m now taking supplements for. Admittingly I’ve only been taking them for a month, but nothing is changing and have times during the day where I barely keep my eyes open.

My last visit to the GP, he told me if the tests came back negative he said it might be in my head…! Now I feel that prescribing me supplements is a cop out.

I think it’s time to go back.. At least to ask him how long it should take to get get back to normal levels of VIT D and B12.

Oysters, fish and/or magnesium with zinc pills will have you going like a sewing machine on your double denim.

Wow, this is an eye opener.
For the last 12 months or so I’ve been having the same symptoms described above. Have been back to the doctors a number of times blood taken, and the result is low in VIT D and B12. Which I’m now taking supplements for. Admittingly I’ve only been taking them for a month, but nothing is changing and have times during the day where I barely keep my eyes open.

My last visit to the GP, he told me if the tests came back negative he said it might be in my head…! Now I feel that prescribing me supplements is a cop out.

I think it’s time to go back.. At least to ask him how long it should take to get get back to normal levels of VIT D and B12.

Some UK info on vits B12 and D, NHS are woeful when it comes to supplementation with very low levels being recommended.

http://www.b12d.org/index

https://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Vitamin_D_and_Sunshine:_an_essential_vitamin!_Protects_against_cancer,_heart_and_bone_disease

You may want to investigate taking vit D with vit K2, this is something I do. Take your vit D with something fatty for best absorption and worth increasing dose in Winter. Have you been prescribed a loading dose?

Have you been prescribed a loading dose?

Yes, 12 weeks of a heavy dosage of vit D. B12 once a week. After the 12 weeks are up I have to revert to over the counter multi vit supplements.

I recently read that 80% of the population will be B12 deficient in some way. Also for me, I guess it doesn’t help that I’m a vegetarian.

@asbrooks OK, are you receiving B12 injections? I’d be inclined to obtain your test results and compare to those UK links I provided. It’s not uncommon for people to source their own B12 and inject due to NHS rationing. The NHS is not very good at this stuff and, frankly, your GP sounds a quack. Perhaps ask him if there’s a blood test for depression.

Do some research and take control of your health especially as you’re vegetarian.

Still having issues getting my meds. Started using Echo (Lloyds on-line) to cut down on the visits to the chemist chasing the meds. Echo just said ‘sorry can’t get your meds’ – ended up contacting them via their on-line help – they were useless until I wrote to the manufacturer who said it was available and for thepharmacy to contact them. Copied my email to Echo, and lo and behold, my testosterone gel was delivered in two days. Just put prescription request in again and it’s ‘delayed’.

Darn good job I’ve got 8 spare packets (down to me rationing my doses over last 6 months).

For those with low D and B12, Jarrows do some very good supplements (via Amazon)

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