Low T and lifting question

BluepillProfessor · 2017-01-26T15:55:54+00:00

Gratz on your gains. This is solid work and my main advice is one word: Forward.

To get past a ceiling like you describe you may want to mix up your routine. Change the reps/sets. Lower (or raise) the weight and increase (or decrease) the reps etc.

As to the rest of it, I think this is purely a medical issue.

I will say I find it intensely fascinating that women get female hormones given to them by the gallon for the most minor and mundane complaints while men with serious medical issues are still denied access to T. I mean, women get that shit so much, the water supply is LITERALLY contaminated by their piss causing stunted growth in boys and breast development. I am sure there are no other side effects that we have not been told about.

2ndal · 2017-01-26T16:02:29+00:00

I can't speak to the need to shed, but I was diagnosed with hypogonadism and thus low T. I'm on a weekly regimen for replacement (injections) and it has done wonders

First, it's tough to comment on the numbers you give for T and Free without reference ranges. Look at your labs and to the right of the levels it should tell you the ranges. The reason this is important is because different labs use different ranges, so 0.7 on one labs results could be fine but way low or high in another.

Second, hang out in /r/testosterone for a bit. You will likely find that most men suffering the side effects of low testosterone do not have great results with Clomid, and anyone serious about feeling better injects. You will also find that most doctors--even specialists like urologists and endos--are not very progressive with male hormone treatment plans. The reality is you can't just look at your T numbers, but also things like estradiol and SHBG and more. Imbalances in these levels--which can often be made worse by replacement therapy--can be as detrimental to your mood, libido, energy, etc. as having low T. If your doc is not also testing and paying attention to these levels and adjusting them as you progress through treatment, you need to find another doctor. Finding a doctor who knows enough and cares is very difficult. (I use a very good clinic online; PM if you want to discuss.)

innominating · 2017-01-26T18:22:39+00:00

Have you tried intermittent fasting?

At 5'11 250 you are carrying 65-55lbs of fat before you are 6-7% bodyfat, if you have a medium/large skeletal frame. That is a lot of fat, and you are correct it will fuck up your hormones.

Look into www.leangains.com.

spexer · 2017-01-26T16:02:05+00:00

I tried to fix my low-T with lifting, sunshine etc and I did make a but of improvement... however...

What worked best was having my urologist prescribe testosterone cypionate that I take every 10 days.

Not only does this up my T levels, but it helps my lifting and Iam constantly seeing better gains.

..something to consider.

BrazilRedPill · 2017-01-26T16:07:36+00:00

Your problem seems to be medical, have you asked him about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?

SteelToeShitKicker · 2017-01-26T16:36:06+00:00

You need bloodwork to confirm anything. 50mg clomid is a very high dose, I'm on 25mg /day, others take even less.

If you haven't already gotten prolactin tested, I would get that.

I'd also get again:
estradiol (not estrone)
total T
free T
LH / FSH

That will give you a good idea of how you are adapting to your new regimen.

BTW, 182 OHP at 232T? Damn. I tip my hat to you.

nastynickdr · 2017-01-26T18:01:27+00:00

Lifting will give you some test boost, but will not make a miracle. Your test is pretty low for your age, maybe you should consider TRT. If you go the TRT route, get the BEST doctor you can get, if you screw with your hormones, depending on what you do, theres no going back. And research a lot before doing it. Read books, good articles. Clomid is a nice help for now.

Some things other than TRT to check:

Check your vitamin D levels. Make sure its way above 30 ng/ml. If you supplement with vitamin D3, make sure you also take vitamin K2 (research about this).
Eat brazil nuts, red meat. Whole eggs. Brocolli is high on a compound that lowers estrogen naturally, eat a fuckton of it. Eat only real food, something like paleo style is good. Make sure you are getting enough healthy fats, you need it for hormones. This will also help with fat loss. Also check on intermittent fasting, theres research showing it increases growth hormones and lots of other benefits.

https://www.amazon.com.br/Complete-Guide-Fasting-Intermittent-Alternate-Day/dp/1628600012

Make sure you are not overdoing volume at the gym. Lifting HARD for 1h30 is too much unless you are on the juice.
Make sure you have enough zinc. Consider taking ZMA before bed or take a good multivitamin.
Sleep well, reduce stress, make sure your cortisol levels are low. Look into meditation.

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/01/18/how-to-increase-testosterone-naturally/

https://www.t-nation.com/pharma/complete-guide-to-t-replacement?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article4341

WhiteTrashKiller · 2017-01-26T18:45:29+00:00

What about your SHBG? If it is high, any Testosterone you may have will never get to the cells to do its job since it binds to T and lowers your free T. Plus the more Estro you have, the higher the SHBG will be. It's a vicious cycle. When I was first screened, I found out my body converted alot of my T to E so I had to find a way to compensate for it.

I was in the high 300's-400, could't imagine it in the 200's, great job on your lifts with so little fuel supporting it!

GongShanks · 2017-01-26T19:32:23+00:00

I need to get mine checked. Is a urologist the best place to start? I live in a rural area, we don't have any t clinics or anti aging or whatever. Just the basics.

BryanW65 · 2017-01-26T20:06:01+00:00

You will not lose weight doing Starting Strength or any of the intermediate programs that Andy Baker gives you, unless you are starting as a morbidly obese person. If you want to lose weight, you are going to have to cut calories, and cut way back on your volume to aid in recovery. Keep intensity high so as not to de-train.

Regarding testosterone, check out excelmale.com. If you are serious about getting your hormones right, check out Defy medical. They do tele-medicine.

RedPillRisingFromAsh · 2017-01-26T21:07:07+00:00

Cut calories: read about intermittent fasting.

Cardio Up: 25-40 mins 6 days a week. Start with walking on treadmill or because of your weigh probably stationary bike and do intervals : 3 mins normal 30 secs 100% effort

nightmancommeth · 2017-01-27T01:31:34+00:00

ECA to kill the hunger pains and keep cutting. Don't worry about muscle loss as long as your lifting heavy it will be minimal. Cut the rest of that fat until 12-14% and slow bulk from then on.

Title	Low T and lifting question
Author	captain_my_captain22
Upvotes	5
Comments	33
Date	January 26, 2017 3:39 PM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askMRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/askMRP/comments/5qate7/low_t_and_lifting_question/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askMRP/low-t-and-lifting-question.206592 https://theredarchive.com/post/206592

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