A hormone question you are probably sick of answering…
5’10 230lb, 40 y/o M ~20-25%bf
1285 SBD total
My interest is powerlifting and strength gains. Ive noticed my sleep quality has declined, as well as libido. My strength and energy have not changed over the years. My body composition is fine. However, due to the two previous symptoms, and my desire to get an edge in my lifts and my recovery, ive considered T. At the very least getting my levels checked so I have a baseline marker at age 40 to compare with 5, 10, 15 years down the road.
Is T supplementation something I can “try out” and if it isnt working just stop? I do not want to mess with my otherwise healthy body/mind if there are possible negative consequences that may be long term, however it is enticing to gain a boost. Also, would tracking my T levels through the next couple decades be something of value? Finally, what would it take for YOU to test your T levels and possibly supplement?
Really recommend listening to the numerous podcasts we’ve put out on this subject.
Is T supplementation something I can “try out” and if it isnt working just stop?
You can stop any time. However, depending on the dosage you’re on and how long you’ve been taking it, you may experience a variety of withdrawal-type symptoms after stopping. In some situations, people’s normal production can re-start; other people may require the use of other medicines to facilitate “re-starting” things, and another fraction of people (particularly high-dose anabolic steroid users) may have far more difficult/permanent suppression effects.
Also, would tracking my T levels through the next couple decades be something of value?
Not in isolation, no.
Finally, what would it take for YOU to test your T levels and possibly supplement?
If I had:
Symptoms clearly suggestive of hypogonadism (e.g., not just “fatigue”)
Other potential underlying causes of symptoms adequately evaluated and ruled out
No untreated sleep apnea, adequate sleep duration and consistency
No significant use of alcohol, cannabis, or opioids
Waist measurement below risk cutoffs (ideally 37" or less)
Proper lab evaluation for hypogonadism (8-10 AM fasted total testosterone on at least 2 occasions without concurrent illness, as well as FSH/LH measurement and potentially other related testing if needed)
I do not have all of this information available in your case, however I would be curious as to your waist measurement, screen for sleep apnea, and a few of the other factors mentioned here including alcohol use.
Waist 40in, no alcohol or drug use and I dont think I have sleep apenea as I sleep like a rock for the first 3-4 hours then just wake up unable to go back to sleep even though I dont feel done sleeping.
Had labs done since I have trouble sleeping and low libido
Testosterone was 385, FSH was 2.4 and LH was 8.3. Also Prolactin measured out of range at 16. All other panels were healthy like cholesterol and Glucose and all that.
I want to squat 500 and I think T would help me get there but i dont want to fuck my life up.
Based on your limited review of these numbers and my situation, would I be right in assuming I could benefit from elevated levels of T?