Could low T be killing my workouts?

[tooth]

I tried to post this earlier, so I apologize if a similar thread comes up twice.

So, I'm early 40's, and will likely be starting trt within the coming weeks. Low energy, and wife's complaints of lack of interest got me to have bloods done. I was sick when I had them done, but my total t was only 57. Waited two weeks, was feeling great, training was back on track, total t came back 211, and free 7.1. My doc is referring me to an endo, but I took it upon myself to see a trt doc last week. They did bloods again, and I should have the results within the next couple days.

My question is this, could the low t be killing my workouts? My strength is great, and improving, but it can be a real struggle to get through my workouts. Not as much of a physical, but mental struggle. The other thing that's really changed is that I no longer get a "runners high" after workouts. I get the opposite. I feel like I have the flu the rest of the day. Just want to crawl into a corner, and I have to force myself to eat.

Any thoughts? Am I just being a little wuss?

Thanks
Tooth

 

[halfwit]

I tried to post this earlier, so I apologize if a similar thread comes up twice.

So, I'm early 40's, and will likely be starting trt within the coming weeks. Low energy, and wife's complaints of lack of interest got me to have bloods done. I was sick when I had them done, but my total t was only 57. Waited two weeks, was feeling great, training was back on track, total t came back 211, and free 7.1. My doc is referring me to an endo, but I took it upon myself to see a trt doc last week. They did bloods again, and I should have the results within the next couple days.

My question is this, could the low t be killing my workouts? My strength is great, and improving, but it can be a real struggle to get through my workouts. Not as much of a physical, but mental struggle. The other thing that's really changed is that I no longer get a "runners high" after workouts. I get the opposite. I feel like I have the flu the rest of the day. Just want to crawl into a corner, and I have to force myself to eat.

Any thoughts? Am I just being a little wuss?

Thanks
Tooth

It most absolutely can have a very dramatic impact on physical performance. 57ng/dL... Sick is an understatement! I absolutely would proceed with investigation of your hypogonadism.

There's a fantastic sticky thread at the top of this forum that will help you better understand what's going on, and what to expect.

Welcome to ology!

 

[tooth]

It most absolutely can have a very dramatic impact on physical performance. 57ng/dL... Sick is an understatement! I absolutely would proceed with investigation of your hypogonadism.

There's a fantastic sticky thread at the top of this forum that will help you better understand what's going on, and what to expect.

Welcome to ology!

Thanks, Iv'e read a ton, and been lurking on here for a couple weeks. I also picked up a few ebooks. I had thought about running gear for a couple decades, but the bad always outweighed the good, and my biggest fear was getting shut down. Ironically with no history of gear, meds, or illness, I'm already shut down. Go figure. I have no clue why I was so low the first time I had bloods. I mean, I should have been low, but not 57 low. I had a powerlifting meet on a Saturday, started feeling like junk the day before. I had some crazy allergy thing. Never had anything like that before, and never really been sick other than the flu, or a cold. I went to the meet anyway, and did crappy only went 4 for 9. That Sunday I wound up in the ER because my lips where getting numb, so my Doc said to go straight there. They put me on Prenisone, I was feeling like crap still, so took the Monday off. I never take a day off, so I was feeling like junk. That afternoon, after sitting on the couch all morning seeing commercials for androgel, and viagra, I decided to go have bloods done. I did it on my own because I was embarrassed to talk to anyone about my symptoms. I did a male panel, but in hindsight should have run a female panel. I only did a free and total T for the second test because I was in denial and felt like it must have been a mistake. I was feeling like a million bucks the morning I had a total of 211. It should be interesting to see what the blood panel from the trt doc looks like.

 

[SugarMouth]

I had the same experience you had with the workouts. When I could get myself to go, I would labor through it and leave feeling exhausted. Post TRT, I hit the gym at least 5 days a week and look forward to it.

 

[AverageMan]

Thanks, Iv'e read a ton, and been lurking on here for a couple weeks. I also picked up a few ebooks. I had thought about running gear for a couple decades, but the bad always outweighed the good, and my biggest fear was getting shut down. Ironically with no history of gear, meds, or illness, I'm already shut down. Go figure. I have no clue why I was so low the first time I had bloods. I mean, I should have been low, but not 57 low. I had a powerlifting meet on a Saturday, started feeling like junk the day before. I had some crazy allergy thing. Never had anything like that before, and never really been sick other than the flu, or a cold. I went to the meet anyway, and did crappy only went 4 for 9. That Sunday I wound up in the ER because my lips where getting numb, so my Doc said to go straight there. They put me on Prenisone, I was feeling like crap still, so took the Monday off. I never take a day off, so I was feeling like junk. That afternoon, after sitting on the couch all morning seeing commercials for androgel, and viagra, I decided to go have bloods done. I did it on my own because I was embarrassed to talk to anyone about my symptoms. I did a male panel, but in hindsight should have run a female panel. I only did a free and total T for the second test because I was in denial and felt like it must have been a mistake. I was feeling like a million bucks the morning I had a total of 211. It should be interesting to see what the blood panel from the trt doc looks like.

Was in the same boat you back in June 190 total T - never cycled, no drugs ,etc. The TRT doc has me at around 1000 TT today. I can actually run on the treadmill for more than 5 minutes without completely gassing. And yes, as Suger stated, I can lift till the cows come home without getting fatigued. I usually stop working out not because I'm tired, but because I have to be somewhere. 1.5-2 hour workouts are common.

 

[luckypaul]

low t can kill your workouts as well as libido and anyother reason to live. Get on trt bro. I have been on 8 years. No regrets.

 

[tooth]

Got a third set of labs back today. These ones where from the trt doc.


Fsh 0.4 Ref 1.5-12.4
Lh 0.7 Ref 1.7-8.6
Rdw 14.3 Ref 12.3-15.4
Mchc 34.7 Ref 31.5-35.7
Mcvh 31 Ref 26.6-33.0
Mcv 89 Ref 79-97
Hematocrit 47.6 Ref 37.5-51.0
Hemoglobin 16.5 Ref 12.6-17.7
Rbc 5.33 Ref 4.14-5.80
Wbc 13.0 Ref 3.4-10.8
Estradiol 13.0 Ref 7.6-42.6
SHBG 15.6 Ref 16.5-55.9
Free test 11.7 Ref 6.8-21.5
Total Test 290 Ref 348-1197
ILGF I 207 Ref 75-216
Prostate SAG 1.3 Ref 0.0-4.0
T4,Free 1.30 Ref 0.82-1.77
Triiodothyronine free 3.6 Ref 2.0-4.4
Tsh 1.930 Ref 0.450-4.500
Ldl 139 Ref 0-99
Vldl 18 Ref 5-40
Hdl 49 Ref 39+
Triglycerides 91 Ref 0-149
Cholesterol 206 Ref 100-199
Vitamin D 25hydroxy 27.3 Ref 30-100
Vitamin B12 1064 Ref 211-946
Alt 35 Ref 0-44
Ast 29 Ref 0-40
Aklaline phos 72 Ref 39-117
Bilirubin 0.3 Ref 0-1.2
A/G Ratio 1.4 Ref 1.1-2.5
Globulin 3.1 Ref 1.5-4.5
Albumin 4.3 Ref 3.5-5.5
Protein 7.4 Ref 6-8.5
Calcium 9.5 Ref 8.7-10.2
C02 24 Ref 18-29
Chloride 99 Ref 97-108
Potassium 4.8 Ref 3.5-5.2
Sodium 140 Ref 134-144
Bun/Creatinine rat 13 Ref 9-20
Egfr if africn am 76 Ref 59+
egfr if nonafricn am 66 Ref 59+
creatine 1.32 Ref 0.76-1.27
Bun 17 Ref 6-24
hemoglobin A1c 5.8 4.8-5.6
Glucose 92 Ref 65-99
Platelets 229 Ref 150-379

The high cholesterol is a new one. I'm usually less than 150. Vitamin D has been low the last few years.

 

[Megatron28]

It helps to include reference ranges. And if you are nice, bold the ones that are outside the reference range.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

I see: Inflammation, Low E2 and LowT

 

[halfwit]

I'd get prolactin checked, something is suppressing you. No history of AAS or prohormones, right?

Stress and over exertion can decrease LH and FSH, but you're shut down hard from something, big time.

 

[tooth]

No history of AAs, did take pro hormones once five years ago. "Beastdrol", felt like total shit for two weeks, then dropped the dosage way down, felt like shit for another week, then came off early. Used "formistane" as pct. I take no meds, no history of illness, I don't drink, or smoke, etc. I'm in, and have been in denial big time. I've been able to make some decent strength, and size gains in the past few years, and I don't know anyone with my ambition. That part just doesn't add up, but I guess it doesn't necessarily affect everyone the same. I'm not super strong by any stretch, but I'm in the top 20 for my "class" this year on powerlifting watch, and I've got the state and local records locked up. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when I have "normal" test levels again.

My pcp sent me an order for bloods. I'll give him a shout out to add prolactin to the labs. I have an appt with an endo, but not for a few months. The trt doc I saw last week is supposed to call me today to go over these labs. Should be interesting to see what he thinks. Hopefully it was that dumb pro hormone, or bad luck with aging genetics, and not a pituitary tumor.

Thanks for the responses
Tooth

 

[tooth]

Below I've attached the summary of what the trt doc had to say about my labs. They are going to start me on 200mg cyp / wk, anastrozole, and HCG (can't remember the dosages off hand of the ancillaries). They also offer a pile of other stuff of course. I'm going to go ahead with Vitamin D injections, and an oral product they have for cholesterol just to see what the effect is of each. My vitamin D has been low the past few years. They are pretty loose with the reigns which is good and bad. They only require bloods once per year, but will let you do them as often as you want if you want to be proactive. Of course I'll be doing them until I'm "dialed in". I'm going to have bloods done from my pcp the end of this week, and then see an endocrinologist still in a few months. First appointment the endo had was out a ways as expected.



· His creatinine likely has risen slightly above normal due to some previous issues, but probably will improve by avoiding random gym supplements including creatin.

· His hemoglobin A-1 C is clearly in the prediabetic range and should be made aware of this.

· Improving diet, avoiding high glycemic foods may help his hemoglobin a 1c as will correcting his vitamin d.

· Look to optimize his vitamin D level which is currently low at 27.3. He would benefit with either aggressive daily oral dosing or weekly injectable. I would prefer in his case the weekly injectable.

· Check into where his b12 source is coming from and slightly ratchet down. High b12 levels will suppress thyroid function.

· Cholesterol levels are not optimal. He will benefit with Colcheck and Coq10 combination. We are looking for a drop in the overall cholesterol as well as drop of the LDL cholesterol.

· His testosterone levels indicate that he will benefit with standard TRT treatment. Have him start with a round of TRT and monitor how he is feeling.

· If he continues the TRT program, have him start doing blood donations about every 6 months at his local red cross (this is standard for anyone on T therapy).

 

[Alpin]

Thanks, Iv'e read a ton, and been lurking on here for a couple weeks. I also picked up a few ebooks. I had thought about running gear for a couple decades, but the bad always outweighed the good, and my biggest fear was getting shut down. Ironically with no history of gear, meds, or illness, I'm already shut down. Go figure. I have no clue why I was so low the first time I had bloods. I mean, I should have been low, but not 57 low. I had a powerlifting meet on a Saturday, started feeling like junk the day before. I had some crazy allergy thing. Never had anything like that before, and never really been sick other than the flu, or a cold. I went to the meet anyway, and did crappy only went 4 for 9. That Sunday I wound up in the ER because my lips where getting numb, so my Doc said to go straight there. They put me on Prenisone, I was feeling like crap still, so took the Monday off. I never take a day off, so I was feeling like junk. That afternoon, after sitting on the couch all morning seeing commercials for androgel, and viagra, I decided to go have bloods done. I did it on my own because I was embarrassed to talk to anyone about my symptoms. I did a male panel, but in hindsight should have run a female panel. I only did a free and total T for the second test because I was in denial and felt like it must have been a mistake. I was feeling like a million bucks the morning I had a total of 211. It should be interesting to see what the blood panel from the trt doc looks like.

You are "powerlifting"?
You have blood work with TT of 57 ng/DL?
I dont mean to judge or sound blunt....but that's a castrate level of T..

 

[Alpin]

Where did u get the notion that b12 suppresses thyroid?

 

[tooth]

Where did u get the notion that b12 suppresses thyroid?

Yeah, the strength part of it doesn't add up. I guess I'd make a pretty strong chick. And, the B12 thing is part of the notes from the trt doc.

 

[Alpin]

Yeah, the strength part of it doesn't add up. I guess I'd make a pretty strong chick. And, the B12 thing is part of the notes from the trt doc.

Where did he learn that?
I know ppl at 4000 for b12...
A well respected member on here named "AUSTINITE" frequently spoke of levels that high he has been on and he never mentioned (nor has anyone else for that matter) of suppressed thyroid function. And this doc says a level of 1000 suppresses thyroid function?
1000 is higher end of range for b12...usually max is 1400.
I hope u get a good TRT doc and not some quack....

 

[halfwit]

Apollon is correct in that B12 actually IMPROVES thyroid function, so I too am quite confused. There are numerous peer-reviewed studies proving this. Avoid cholesterol meds man; high cholesterol is NOT as dangerous as statins, which have some serious nasty sides.

You will likely see large changes in your HBA1C from TRT alone, as testosterone is required to maintain insulin sensitivity. I am a type 2 diabetic due to being hypogonadal for a decade. Unfortunately, it was too late for me, but there are many men that see those numbers reverse.

I strongly recommend that you read the sticky in its entirety as your doctor is making some interesting notes regarding your health. I may not be a doctor, but it's called "practicing medicine" for a reason.

 

[Megatron28]

You don't need Vitamin D injections. They are just trying to make more money off you. They see a cash cow.

Just take 10,000iu of vitmain D daily -- orally administered.

 

[Alpin]

BTW your FREE T3 is 3.6 and FREE T4 are upper end of range with a TSH of 1.93. What's "suppressed" in terms of thyroid with levels like that?
Find another doc man....
That's my 2 cents...
Peace out!!!

 

[nutpuncher]

Like others have already mentioned .... YES, low t aka anti-gains. I am also on TRT and only on 3rd injection but pumps are amazing.