Low Testosterone

ss30378
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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by ss30378 » Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:56 am

Neither Nolvadex or Arimidex are bad if you don't go overboard, I've run both back in my bodybuilding days. Nolva doesn't really drop estrogen levels, it just prevents estrogen from binding to things tissue. I'm assuming you're dealing with some sort of gyno to have this one perscribed. Arimidex isn't bad either just watch your BP as you would with any AI. This one does drop estrogen so keep to the Dr.'s dose as if you drop your levels too much you will dry/lean out but you will feel like garbage.

I would guess that if your natural test levels don't increase on the AI's they will opt for Clomid and or HCG to get you jump started again.

Good luck.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by DirtyD64 » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:49 pm

ss30378 wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:56 am
Neither Nolvadex or Arimidex are bad if you don't go overboard, I've run both back in my bodybuilding days. Nolva doesn't really drop estrogen levels, it just prevents estrogen from binding to things tissue. I'm assuming you're dealing with some sort of gyno to have this one perscribed. Arimidex isn't bad either just watch your BP as you would with any AI. This one does drop estrogen so keep to the Dr.'s dose as if you drop your levels too much you will dry/lean out but you will feel like garbage.

I would guess that if your natural test levels don't increase on the AI's they will opt for Clomid and or HCG to get you jump started again.

Good luck.
Thank you so much for answering. I was so scared I had to take a half ativan just to take the first Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) dose. It is 20mg daily and the Anastrazole is 1mg every 3 days. I mean I am kinda fat in the stomach and chest but my man boobs wrap (meaning its more fat) rather than sag like a things. I took a picture and plan on eating healthy to make the most of this, rarely do you get a chance for a little help losing weight.

Doctor said this wasn't permanent, will my levels start working on their own again? I really only hope this takes a few months or so, scared to death of these meds. Amazing I would illicitly use in my past but now won't drink 2 cups of coffee without worrying it will spike my pressure.

Every day I do 40 push ups (in one set), sometimes do that for 2 or 3 sets. I am very energetic and talkative, just get racy and feel nervous. I check my pressure a lot now because it was a fear after my mother's heart issues, and it only gets bad temporarily if I am nervous. Normally I run 125-100/80-65. Just depends on how I feel and what is going on.

Again I really appreciate the input. I actually picked up the medicine yesterday but got so nervous of possible side effects or bad reactions that I couldn't make myself take it.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by ss30378 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:14 am

Those dosages are normal for what someone would run so no worries there. How permanent the low test will be is TBD. After a cycle (which crushes natural test production) without any kind of PCT (something to jump start your natural production again) it can take 6 months to a year to get back up to normal levels. It seems like you've been suppressed for quite a while so you would probably in the same boat. A good PCT (generally clomid and or HCG along with an AI is most popular) can get your natural production started back up or at least significantly improved within days to a couple weeks. If your natural production doesn't seem to want to get rolling on it's own then TRT may be your best option down the road.

The AIs you are now on will supress estrogen and your free testosterone levels will rise which will make you feel better but it may or may not get your total T levels up and natural production moving again. Only time will tell as everyone is different.

A clean diet will help, regular exercise helps and making sure you get good sleep helps.

Being that you are a nervous personality, your stress hormones (cortisol) are probably elevated which also suppresses natural hormone production so taking steps to stay relaxed and calm will help you out as well.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by DirtyD64 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:56 pm

ss30378 wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 8:14 am
Those dosages are normal for what someone would run so no worries there. How permanent the low test will be is TBD. After a cycle (which crushes natural test production) without any kind of PCT (something to jump start your natural production again) it can take 6 months to a year to get back up to normal levels. It seems like you've been suppressed for quite a while so you would probably in the same boat. A good PCT (generally clomid and or HCG along with an AI is most popular) can get your natural production started back up or at least significantly improved within days to a couple weeks. If your natural production doesn't seem to want to get rolling on it's own then TRT may be your best option down the road.

The AIs you are now on will supress estrogen and your free testosterone levels will rise which will make you feel better but it may or may not get your total T levels up and natural production moving again. Only time will tell as everyone is different.

A clean diet will help, regular exercise helps and making sure you get good sleep helps.

Being that you are a nervous personality, your stress hormones (cortisol) are probably elevated which also suppresses natural hormone production so taking steps to stay relaxed and calm will help you out as well.
That is what was so weird. Estrogen was only slightly elevated and all others were within fair range. I always assumed my cortisol was sky high. Having an anti anxiety medicine for when I need it has made me more comfortable. I will tell you that when I went from taking anywhere from 2 to 2.5 suboxone tablets a day to 1 a day my levels went from 78 to 175. Hoping that further reducing it mixed with hormonal therapy should fix me. I blame drugs for so much and think they caused this but my endocrinologist swears that this wasn't caused by this. Not at all the same doctor and he by no means defends opioids, just says all my levels should be off if caused by suboxone for so long. Instead it is ONLY my testosterone with a slightly higher estrogen ratio. He says when drugs cause it they generally affect multiple other systems too.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by DirtyD64 » Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:38 pm

So I got checked again, testosterone is back to 418. Was too scared to take the anastrazole, only took the Tamoxifen. Doctor said that was fine, said 418 was a substantial improvement. I haven't felt as anxious, only needed a med to stop racing heart a few times. I really don't feel mentally weak like I cannot take it, just like I am an engine overheating and about to explode. Working in an attic on a P-trap about gave me a meltdown recently, but I actually feel better after a good hard day of work. Hoping this trend continues and I further improve. Thanks to all for hearing me out, nice to know you aren't the only one in the world with odd issues.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by hoohoorjoo » Fri Sep 23, 2022 7:37 am

Glad to hear you're in a better head space, as well as the health issue improving. We have to take care of ourselves, if only for the sake of those that depend on us.
Try not to let your mind wander. It is much too small to be outside unsupervised.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by dragon1 » Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:40 pm

Hobie-Wan Kenobi wrote:
Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:38 am
DirtyD64 wrote:
Thu Jun 23, 2022 3:37 am
So I got the second test back, was so bad the doctor wouldn't read results over the phone and asked me to come in. Second level was 148. That is pitifully low. I will now have to go to an endocrinologist, get bone density tests, etc. Not good. I still don't feel that bad other than the severe anxiety and extreme heart rate (sometimes 40min of hard exercise bike makes my heart race but it goes away instantly, other times walking stairs gives me a racy heart for an hour). I am not tired, I exercise daily, etc. I have cut the medicine in half again and maybe that made the level increase? Just really sad and depressed about this, I thought using a replacement opioid would be safe and the only risk would be a lighter tolerance or milder addiction. The doctor said it could take forever to get in with a specialist and I am just scared. Any advice to anyone using suboxone, it can be a great drug, but they don't fairly warn you of what can happen long term.
I worked Child Protective Services for a while. I had clients who were on the Suboxone program. Seemed to genuinely work for a few people. The program is supposed to be a "weening" type thing and they end up on it for 8+ years without any reduction in dosage. The prescribing Dr around me also got grant money for research so...I think that had something to do with it. After MANY complaints from professionals and clients, the Dr ended up going to Wisconsin to "practice".

For long term effects, I am not too sure of that side of it. I know the drug can be great when used with other treatments such as counseling such as an addiction specialist. When it is the sole source of "treatment", the body seems to still "crave" regular "drugs", it just gets it's fill via Suboxone instead without any progress to actually getting the body used to not being on any drug.
Big Pharma and the medical community long ago sold out for the love of money, and perverted their Hippocratic Oath for hypocrisy.

Sorry for the tangent, and I am following this to read what others will also recommend.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by dragon1 » Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:45 pm

DirtyD64 wrote:
Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:38 pm
So I got checked again, testosterone is back to 418. Was too scared to take the anastrazole, only took the Tamoxifen. Doctor said that was fine, said 418 was a substantial improvement. I haven't felt as anxious, only needed a med to stop racing heart a few times. I really don't feel mentally weak like I cannot take it, just like I am an engine overheating and about to explode. Working in an attic on a P-trap about gave me a meltdown recently, but I actually feel better after a good hard day of work. Hoping this trend continues and I further improve. Thanks to all for hearing me out, nice to know you aren't the only one in the world with odd issues.
Great to hear...how are you faring now?
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by DirtyD64 » Sat Jan 28, 2023 2:30 am

dragon1 wrote:
Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:45 pm
DirtyD64 wrote:
Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:38 pm
So I got checked again, testosterone is back to 418. Was too scared to take the anastrazole, only took the Tamoxifen. Doctor said that was fine, said 418 was a substantial improvement. I haven't felt as anxious, only needed a med to stop racing heart a few times. I really don't feel mentally weak like I cannot take it, just like I am an engine overheating and about to explode. Working in an attic on a P-trap about gave me a meltdown recently, but I actually feel better after a good hard day of work. Hoping this trend continues and I further improve. Thanks to all for hearing me out, nice to know you aren't the only one in the world with odd issues.
Great to hear...how are you faring now?
528 now. Have had to skip the Tamoxifen now and then, maybe 1 day a week. My eyes feel hot, and I get racy, but no anxiety at all. Before I had this encompassing fear, now I might get a fast heart rate, but it is temporary and just feels physical. Before long they will probably take me off of it to see if my pituitary gland returns to normal on its own. But this treatment has for sure drastically changed my life for the better so far. I am not 100%, but before I was fighting my body/nerves all day, now it has been well over 100+ days without needing an anxiety medication or even considering it.

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by dragon1 » Sat Jan 28, 2023 4:10 am

DirtyD64 wrote:
Sat Jan 28, 2023 2:30 am
dragon1 wrote:
Fri Jan 27, 2023 8:45 pm
DirtyD64 wrote:
Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:38 pm
So I got checked again, testosterone is back to 418. Was too scared to take the anastrazole, only took the Tamoxifen. Doctor said that was fine, said 418 was a substantial improvement. I haven't felt as anxious, only needed a med to stop racing heart a few times. I really don't feel mentally weak like I cannot take it, just like I am an engine overheating and about to explode. Working in an attic on a P-trap about gave me a meltdown recently, but I actually feel better after a good hard day of work. Hoping this trend continues and I further improve. Thanks to all for hearing me out, nice to know you aren't the only one in the world with odd issues.
Great to hear...how are you faring now?
528 now. Have had to skip the Tamoxifen now and then, maybe 1 day a week. My eyes feel hot, and I get racy, but no anxiety at all. Before I had this encompassing fear, now I might get a fast heart rate, but it is temporary and just feels physical. Before long they will probably take me off of it to see if my pituitary gland returns to normal on its own. But this treatment has for sure drastically changed my life for the better so far. I am not 100%, but before I was fighting my body/nerves all day, now it has been well over 100+ days without needing an anxiety medication or even considering it.
That is great to hear my young friend...stay strong and stay the course, have faith, strategize a plan and continue to grow stronger.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."

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Re: Low Testosterone

Post by DirtyD64 » Thu Feb 16, 2023 5:48 am

Had an odd spell yesterday. Been feeling better other than a slightly racy pulse hear and there. Chopped some wood (hard swinging) the Saturday before the Superbowl and clocked my heart at 182. Pretty high, but it went down quick to 150, then down to 125-130 within a minute or so. Returned to around 80-90 beats per minute and then I was good. Yesterday though, my heart had been running great. Did 2 sets of 40 push ups in the morning and my heart only hit 125 bpm. After lunch I got a strange feeling though, like someone was pressing my rev limiter to the max, and my heart randomly went to 145bpm. I was working, painting, but low intensity stuff. This lasted for 45 minutes. Finally I gave up and took the anxiety medicine I was prescribed, but it did nothing. After about 2 hours, the medicine made me tired and zonked enough that the pulse came down some. I still ran 115-120 all day though and went to bed at like 5pm. Woke today somewhat better and heart was at 80.

The heart doctor prescribed metoprolol, but I hate to add another chemical to my body, especially when this rarely happens. I do have a faster heartbeat, but passed a stress test and wore a monitor that found nothing. I wonder if it is anxiety, but I don't feel anxious and this has happened way less since my testosterone has been addressed. Just confused, wanting to blab some to make me feel better. I'm not a half bad guy overall, talk too much, but good intentions, just don't want to drive everyone in my family or around me crazy with this same old issue.

Anyone else had a racing heart but everything else checked out fine, including blood pressure? I still wonder if it is just hormonal surges from taking the Tamoxifen...

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