Losing to much bodyfat BF

[Durk]

New to forum here...

My question seems to be an unusual one cause I searched thru the forums for hours without an solid answer.

History - I am a cancer survivor who was on a short course of chemo 2 years back. During my treatment (and since) I lost alot of my subcutaneous fat. Apparently the loss of BF after chemo is a metabolic issue that happens which has something to do with the way my body deals with insulin. Since the treatment I have gained some BF back, but very minimally.

Current - I started androgel (3 pumps a day) due to low test levels about 4 months ago with great success. Mood has never been better, strength gains at the gym galore, sleep solid every night, libido is solid etc etc.

The problem im having is im losing subcutaneous fat at an alarming rate while on the androgel. My arms and legs are extremely thin & veiny, which to most would be desirable, but in my case looks kinda odd cause I didnt/ dont have much subcutaneous fat to begin with.

Im throwing major weight at the gym doing mostly compound exercises and getting great muscle gains but because of the BF loss im barely fitting into my usual size clothes (clothes too big now). My weight has increased only slightly due to increased muscle growth and decreased BF.

My question is - Is there any known way of increasing BF while on TRT/androgel ? Perhaps thru diet or supplementation?

Ive read some articles on Leptin and it role on BF gains....but there seems to be some mixed opinion on how it interacts with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

On the diet end of things I know I could increase my caloric intake but I have also read articles that say thats its a losing battle as far as BF gains due to the way food is synthesized once on trt.

Im scheduled to see my endo this week, who seems to be confused about how to deal with the issue. Ive had my numbers checked once since starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and my RBC is normal and my test levels are normal around 500 since starting the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Im 48yo

Im desperate for any info !!!

 

[Austinite]

Welcome.

This is diet related. You're expending more calories daily than your intake. Find out what your total daily energy expenditure is and go into an increase with your caloric intake.

I wish I had that problem

 

[DreDay187]

Like Austinite mentioned this is diet related. Do you track calories and macros? If so what numbers are you taking in and what's your TDEE? testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and AAS in general can increase the calorie partitioning of your dietary intake more favorably but this will not prevent the accumulation of fat while in a caloric surplus.

As far as I know Leptin plays more of an appetite suppressant/orexigenic role than on BF stores directly but am not an expert on leptin. One way to possibly up fat intake WHILE in a caloric surplus is to lower your protein intake and increase fats/carbs. This won't make a huge difference but again I think your main problem is you're not eating enough and/or overestimating what you are eating.

 

[prisonsex]

Eat bro. That's what you need to do. Get with 3J and he can hammer out a diet for you.

 

[riprockwell]

welcome.

This is diet related. You're expending more calories daily than your intake. Find out what your total daily energy expenditure is and go into an increase with your caloric intake.

i wish i had that problem

x2

 

[Millertime]

Eat then eat some more.

 

[cbman2184]

It takes alittle time and tampering with your diet to find your matinence level.
After that it's pretty simple +500cal gain weight -500cal to burn fat.

 

[Durk]

Man im stoked reading these responses !!!

According to an online TDEE Calculator im at 2364 cal. a day (although im not really sure what this number is telling me) ????

TRT (Im assuming testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is testosterone replacement therapy ???)

Im at a total loss of what AAS is.

Anyone ????

 

[Austinite]

Man im stoked reading these responses !!!

But forgive my stupidity....what is TDEE testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and AAS ????

TDEE - Total Daily Energy Expenditure
TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
AAS - Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

 

[Charles Bronson]

Hopefully 3j's will chime in here, He is on my friends list if you want to check out his profile. Will be a link to his website and email/contact info there.

This guy is a nutritionist with the experience and proven results to inspire total confidence in the programs he custom tailors for people on an individual basis..

With your health being an issue here - man I really can not recommend him enough.. He delivers !

 

[jSalud]

Haha wish I could say I was losing fat too fast. Congrats on beating cancer though!

 

[Durk]

Thanks jSalud...and thanks Charles Bronson for the 3j lead.

Im hoping a higher caloric diet can help with the problem, although im fearing that since my low BF is a metabolic disorder (and not the usual variety of Anabolic Steroid BF loss), if fighting a losing battle.

People keep asking me if, "Im ok" because or the extreme BF loss...and considering my bout with Cancer, my friends and family are hyper aware of my physical presents. My Sister recently asked/said, "yo whats up with the Madonna arms?"

Honestly its to the point where if I dont get a solution....I will go off the Androgel testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Which sucks cause I have never felt better in my life....

 

[DreDay187]

Man im stoked reading these responses !!!

According to an online TDEE Calculator im at 2364 cal. a day (although im not really sure what this number is telling me) ????

TRT (Im assuming testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is testosterone replacement therapy ???)

Im at a total loss of what AAS is.

Anyone ????

Your TDEE, as Austinite mentioned, is total dail energy expenditure. It's an estimate of the amount of calories you expend in a normal day. That number seems awfully low to be a TDEE. You sure its not BMR or have you forgotten to multiply BMR by an activity factor?

 

[juced_porkchop]

I would also rec checking out your thyroid levels via blood test AND going for MRI of thyroid.

 

[Durk]

Had thyroid checked via Bloodwork and MRI.

Had pretty much a full endocrine screening as well as tons of MRI to followup with the cancer. Thyroid was checked and checked again.... Thyroid levels are completely normal....

 

[DreDay187]

Had thyroid checked via Bloodwork and MRI.

Had pretty much a full endocrine screening as well as tons of MRI to followup with the cancer. Thyroid was checked and checked again.... Thyroid levels are completely normal....

If your thyroid and other hormone levels are within range then the mos likely culprit is your diet. You simply are t getting enough calories to sustain weight gain. Add up the total calories and macros you're eating currently and increase by 300-500 calories. If after 2wks you haven't gained weight increase by another couple hundred until you do.

 

[Durk]

Thanks everybody for your responses. Ive been on a 4000 calorie diet for 3 days now, and oddy I can already see a difference ?!?!

Im working with a personal trainer who has developed a daily 4000 calorie meal plan for me since my new findings thru this site. He wants me to bulk first and when I get to a point im happy with, we will modify the plan.

I cant tell you how relieved I am to know that this is simply an eating thing !!!!

 

[DD55]

Good work! If you still need calories eat peanut butter and honey on toast (a favorite) or grab a decent weight gainer shake. Many companies make them. A great way to get those extra calories is to drink them in protein weight gainer shakes. Good luck and congrats on beating cancer!

 

[kipkip2011]

Get with 3J and he can hammer out a diet for you.

Best thing I have ever done.Got me straightened out long term!

 

[Durk]

Well Ive been eating my ass off - 4000 calories a day for about 10 days and sadly I haven't gained a single pound. There are days where my veins are popping out to the extent of being able to see my heartbeat thru them. Oddy on other days veiny-ness isnt as bad.

Its certain that im not gaining any bot fat with a (much) higher calorie intake...and im pretty depressed about it....My endo explained that androgens play a different role in lean muscle to fat conversion while on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) that is completely different then NOT being on TRT.

As i said in my original post, I might be unique because of this being a metabolic issue due to chemo that is a lifelong problem.

Im really struggling here because the Androgel has helped me feel SO much better. But I cant deal with walking around looking like an auschwitz victim in the process. I will go off Androgel if I cant find a solution.

Anyone have any more suggestions? anything at all beside caloric increase?