Managing TRT with other health issues:
- Thread starter Spunkey71
- Start date
halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
You may know this already, but your testosterone injections are helping your body keep better blood sugar numbers, than you would have if you were not on TRT. I might speculate, and I do say speculate, that without the TRT, you might already be a diabetic. There's lots of supporting info on that.
Like most, if not all other diabetics on insulin, my blood sugars levels became better on T and I need less insulin to maintain my blood sugar numbers while on T. So at least you were able to get TRT, before you became a diabetic. It was too late for me, when I found I needed TRT. I was already a diabetic.
One last thing. It's not going to be easy to stay away from diabetes, but if you want to bad enough you can do it.
Like most, if not all other diabetics on insulin, my blood sugars levels became better on T and I need less insulin to maintain my blood sugar numbers while on T. So at least you were able to get TRT, before you became a diabetic. It was too late for me, when I found I needed TRT. I was already a diabetic.
One last thing. It's not going to be easy to stay away from diabetes, but if you want to bad enough you can do it.
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Alpin
New member
I been having really screwy blood sugar the last couple weeks.
I initially exerted alot of energy working out past my comfort level for 3 days straight.
Feeling hypoglycemic symptoms now if I dont eat solid for 3-4 hours max!!!
Been 10 weeks off restart and TT was 412 last week.
Def not low but this has me thinking. My hemo is 14 and HCT 41%
Bullshit numbers...
I initially exerted alot of energy working out past my comfort level for 3 days straight.
Feeling hypoglycemic symptoms now if I dont eat solid for 3-4 hours max!!!
Been 10 weeks off restart and TT was 412 last week.
Def not low but this has me thinking. My hemo is 14 and HCT 41%
Bullshit numbers...
3J
Super Moderator
you'll be ok brother... we got you set up right.. lets work it out so you dont even need those meds!
Captain America
Member
I'm pulling for you man. I wish you the best. You have a good support system here. I feel in my heart that you will be ok.
halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
It's my turn to turn the table on you and ask a load of questions.
At those times does your hands feel shaky?
Do you sweat profusely?
Do you feel a little on edge?
Those are signs of low blood sugar of about 4 or less (Canadian numbers). That's your body starting to go into shock. As a non-diabetic, your body should be making enough energy from fat stores not to go into shock from hypoglycemia. But hey..., try not to kill yourself Apollon.
halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
Sounds like you have a good doctor. You're lucky. Most just tell you to go home and come back when you have full blown diabetes.
As I said before, the metformin will take some of the workload off your pancreas. Which is good as your pancreas is kind of wearing out a little. In other words, some of your pancreas's ability to produce insulin is gone. I have never heard of Bydureon (I'm not a doctor), but it looks like a good safe drug. I did not like to read that it pushed the pancreas to make more insulin. Certain drugs called "sulfonylurea" push the pancreas to make more insulin and have a bad reputation for 'burning out the pancreas'. However I assume your doctor feels confident that Bydureon is safe and it most likely is very safe.
Spunkey71
New member
I had never heard of Bydureon either, when I went to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled I asked the pharmacist who is a great guy and very knowledgeable about it. He told me that it is the new wonder drug for diabetics. He said that he has had a lot of customers that have done nothing but rave about how well it works. It is so good that a 4 injection script casts $500, now with my insurance it will only cost me $50 but my insurance requires a special authorization process, my doctor hast to prove to them that I need it bad enough for them to cover it.
Alpin
New member
It's my turn to turn the table on you and ask a load of questions.
At those times does your hands feel shaky?
Do you sweat profusely?
Do you feel a little on edge?
Those are signs of low blood sugar of about 4 or less (Canadian numbers). That's your body starting to go into shock. As a non-diabetic, your body should be making enough energy from fat stores not to go into shock from hypoglycemia. But hey..., try not to kill yourself Apollon.
I felt totally shaky not just hands, shortness of breath, legs became stiff as a board. Still feel anxiety and have been eating every 5 hours now. I over exerted at a tournament and who knows I mau have been pushing too hard coming off the restart. My TT is 412 measured last week. Estradiol is in the "normal" range GP told me.
I'd like to know exactly cause it was 35 pg/ml with same T level last I measured it.
I do my light morming runs after cofee and fasted. I felt pulses in my neck beating a bit too fast for the pace I was moving at, and felt a need to abruptly stop running.
Felt shortness of breath and it wasn't from running too hard.
Happened twice last week and one time I was just driving somewhere (fasted) it was noonish.
Canadian numbers my fasting glucose is 5.5.
I read of you have some type of adrenal/burnout about to happen you can feel hypoglycemic symptoms even with mormal blood sugar.
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halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
Wow, $500 for 4 injections. You should be able to get a pancreas transplant for about that in Mexico! And BONUS, looks like you wouldn't have that far to travel!!!
halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
This just my 2 cents worth, but it sounds like your body is being overworked during the runs. It may be trying to shutdown to keep you from hurting yourself. For example, my running pace is slower in heat, because the body is trying to regulate it's temperature. I physically cannot keep my best pace if it is too hot. Sounds like your body is trying to tell you that something is not right. One strong possibility is that you are "hitting the wall". Marathon runners 'hit the wall' when their bodies simply run out of fuel, and although I have never hit the wall (because fuel up every 45 minutes in say a half marathon run), I understand there is a dramatic physical shutdown going on. What confuses me a little is that usually there is enough fuel in our bodies to go for an hour or so straight at a strong pace. Perhaps your body cannot handle that much energy being burned up after fasting.
You could always get a glucose meter (free) and some test strips (cost some $) if you wanted to see what your blood sugar was before, during and after activity. I kind of doubt you will see much, however I have never heard of what you are experiencing for a non-diabetic.
I don't know everything, and I'm not you, but..., if I were you, I would reconsider running without fueling up before hand and afterwards. Look at it this way. With your body fueled up before hand (even just 10 or 20 carbs), you will be able to expend more energy by either a longer or faster run. In other words your net calorie loss will be greater with a pre run fuel up. I know some like a run after a night of fasting, but the science behind that contradicts your ability to improve your running. Perhaps weight loss, but not strength or cardio improvement IMHO.
Some people are very sensitive to 'somewhat' low blood sugar numbers. Maybe you are one of them?
I know nothing about the adrenal aspect.
As I said before, try not to kill yourself Apollon!!
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Ask for Metformin ER
My 2 cents - I have used Metformin as I am almost pre-diabetic as well. (I guess I am pre-pre diabetic?) I find that the ER (Extended Release) works better and you do not get the gastric upset issues because it releases more slowly instead of all at once. Sure beats having to find a restroom (or else!) after a meal and a pill of the standard Metformin.
My 2 cents - I have used Metformin as I am almost pre-diabetic as well. (I guess I am pre-pre diabetic?) I find that the ER (Extended Release) works better and you do not get the gastric upset issues because it releases more slowly instead of all at once. Sure beats having to find a restroom (or else!) after a meal and a pill of the standard Metformin.
Spunkey71
New member
Alpin
New member
This just my 2 cents worth, but it sounds like your body is being overworked during the runs. It may be trying to shutdown to keep you from hurting yourself. For example, my running pace is slower in heat, because the body is trying to regulate it's temperature. I physically cannot keep my best pace if it is too hot. Sounds like your body is trying to tell you that something is not right. One strong possibility is that you are "hitting the wall". Marathon runners 'hit the wall' when their bodies simply run out of fuel, and although I have never hit the wall (because fuel up every 45 minutes in say a half marathon run), I understand there is a dramatic physical shutdown going on. What confuses me a little is that usually there is enough fuel in our bodies to go for an hour or so straight at a strong pace. Perhaps your body cannot handle that much energy being burned up after fasting.
You could always get a glucose meter (free) and some test strips (cost some $) if you wanted to see what your blood sugar was before, during and after activity. I kind of doubt you will see much, however I have never heard of what you are experiencing for a non-diabetic.
I don't know everything, and I'm not you, but..., if I were you, I would reconsider running without fueling up before hand and afterwards. Look at it this way. With your body fueled up before hand (even just 10 or 20 carbs), you will be able to expend more energy by either a longer or faster run. In other words your net calorie loss will be greater with a pre run fuel up. I know some like a run after a night of fasting, but the science behind that contradicts your ability to improve your running. Perhaps weight loss, but not strength or cardio improvement IMHO.
Some people are very sensitive to 'somewhat' low blood sugar numbers. Maybe you are one of them?
I know nothing about the adrenal aspect.
As I said before, try not to kill yourself Apollon!!
Thanks for the reply. I never ran hard. It is usually 16 minutes in duration fasting.
I just run 1.5 miles fasting....for other people's conditioning it is a jog.
halfwit
I like turtles.
I can't really add much here other than what has been said. Lose weight, eat less carbs, and be active. Bydureon is a new drug that docs are currently getting a kick back on. I tried it right before I went on insulin a year ago, and didn't notice much of an effect. Careful with where you inject it - it likes to give hyperlipotrophy (lumps) like no other, so be sure to rotate sites often.
BTW, when I first found out I was diabetic, I changed my diet to keto and dropped all the meds. Unfortunately, I fell off the keto wagon as it was much harder back a decade ago, and resumed with the meds.
It's not all doom and gloom if you have to go the insulin route, but definitely try to beat it naturally as long as you can. For the record, I have an a1c better than most non-diabetics and am able to lose (I've lost over 200lbs of fat) while dealing with the hand I've been dealt. Just a matter of how bad you want to win.
My .02c
BTW, when I first found out I was diabetic, I changed my diet to keto and dropped all the meds. Unfortunately, I fell off the keto wagon as it was much harder back a decade ago, and resumed with the meds.
It's not all doom and gloom if you have to go the insulin route, but definitely try to beat it naturally as long as you can. For the record, I have an a1c better than most non-diabetics and am able to lose (I've lost over 200lbs of fat) while dealing with the hand I've been dealt. Just a matter of how bad you want to win.
My .02c
Spunkey71
New member
I can't really add much here other than what has been said. Lose weight, eat less carbs, and be active. Bydureon is a new drug that docs are currently getting a kick back on. I tried it right before I went on insulin a year ago, and didn't notice much of an effect. Careful with where you inject it - it likes to give hyperlipotrophy (lumps) like no other, so be sure to rotate sites often.
BTW, when I first found out I was diabetic, I changed my diet to keto and dropped all the meds. Unfortunately, I fell off the keto wagon as it was much harder back a decade ago, and resumed with the meds.
It's not all doom and gloom if you have to go the insulin route, but definitely try to beat it naturally as long as you can. For the record, I have an a1c better than most non-diabetics and am able to lose (I've lost over 200lbs of fat) while dealing with the hand I've been dealt. Just a matter of how bad you want to win.
My .02c
Thanks for the advice Halfwit! BTY, what is a1c?
halfape211
Not Novice, But Not Pro
a1c also known as HbA1c is the average blood glucose concentration in your hemoglobin over the past three months. This is most standardized way of measuring how much your blood sugars are in or out of control. Because your blood sugars are going up and down all the time, an average is a better measurement. And three months is the life span of your blood cell.
Halfwitt can probably improve upon my description, but hopefully you get the basic idea, that HbA1c is thee measurement of blood sugar control.
Halfwitt can probably improve upon my description, but hopefully you get the basic idea, that HbA1c is thee measurement of blood sugar control.
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