Topics

1

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Viagra (the real stuff) over the counter in the UK

« on: November 29, 2017, 03:11:37 am »

Viagra has now been approved as an over the counter medication in the UK.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/viagra-pills-sold-counter-pharmacy-drug-reclassification-mhra-erections-a8080366.html

Interestingly, it seems that the winning argument for Pfizer was that making it available OTC would forestall all the fakes.    Price for the 50mg, branded tabs will be 35 quid for a pack of 8.   That's a little under $6 a pill. 

2

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Is shutdown ever intermittent?

« on: September 11, 2017, 04:53:47 pm »

Weird question.

I've been on TRT for six or seven years now.   Have been injecting subQ the same dose at the same schedule for quite a while.

Typically I have tested at 600-700, tests being done right before next injection.

Just had a test done last week, same timing, no change in dose or schedule.   Came back as 1050.

Lab error is always a possibility, but the lab in question is pretty well-regarded.  Additionally, I've felt especially good lately, and have recently (a couple weeks before the test) gone back to lifting, which I had quit for a while.

I would assume it is not possible that I would be producing any T at all on my own at this point, but that actually would fit the data.   But is that even possible?   I assume no, but maybe? 

Any other ideas about how to explain this?

3

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Generic Axiron

« on: August 18, 2017, 07:08:11 pm »

ICYMI, Teva has just launched a generic of Axiron in the US.

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/16919329-teva-announces-exclusive-launch-generic-axiron-united-states

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Prostate Cancer and Dementia ... and Testosterone

« on: June 28, 2017, 12:01:47 am »

I hesitate to post this (it's not in English) but I haven't seen it reported in English-language media.   But Google will translate it for you in a comical but understandable way.

Deprivation of testosterone, a common feature of prostate cancer treatment, increases the risk of dementia significantly.

That's probably not a surprise for those of us who suffered through low T brain fog, but it's nice that it's being noticed that low T, whether naturally occurring or induced, has bad consequences.

https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/cancer/cancer-de-la-prostate-une-therapie-hormonale-augmenterait-le-risque-de-demence_113997

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Ferritin and cancer

« on: January 29, 2017, 04:45:32 pm »

Kind of amazing new one from Dr Greger.   Another reason to keep an eye on ferritin.

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/donating-blood-to-prevent-cancer/

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Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Butea superba

« on: September 06, 2016, 09:32:25 pm »

Anyone have any experience with this?

There are two scientific studies on this herb, both of which showed dramatic impacts on libido, and even more dramatic design flaws.   There doesn't seem to be any solid science on it.  There's a fair amount of internet anecdotal evidence to support it, though I'm not quite inclined to put too much credence in Amazon product reviews.

Seems odd to me that an herbal supplement with the claims this one has doesn't seem much discussed in any TRT or anti-aging forums I frequent.

7

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Increasing DHT

« on: September 06, 2016, 09:28:59 pm »

OK, so TRT is going great, I've got both T and E2 levels in a good ratio, and generally am kicking ass and feeling great.   Libido, though, is a little variable.   Almost always adequate, but often that's about it, and certainly low for someone with the T level of a 25 year old.

I've done various tests of other hormones (prolactin, DHEA-S, etc) and everything's always come back fine.   Except for DHT, which I've just had tested for the first time, and it's bottom of the range.  Naturally, I'm suspicious that this might be the culprit.

Looking all over, it seems like, short of actually directly supplementing DHT (which is not garden-variety TRT to be sure) there aren't any clear ways to nudge your TRT up a bit.   So I'm wondering if anyone has found anything that's particularly worked for them?   I'm not desperate, since even with the status quo I feel pretty good for my age (48) but if I can further improve matters without going to extremes, I'm all for it.   Thanks.

8

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Creating Variation with SubQ

« on: July 16, 2016, 03:20:18 am »

One of the benefits of biweekly subQ is the stability of the resulting T levels.   But there has been occasional speculation that keeping test levels too stable may not be a good thing, that the body needs and expects some variation in test levels.   Not wild swings, but maybe more variation than you get with biweekly subQ.

I'm wondering if anyone doing subQ has tried "mixing it up" a little?

For example, instead of doing 50 mg twice a week, maybe alternate 60 mg and 40 mg shots?   Same total per week, but a little more variation.   Given the half-life of test cyp, this would not create too wild of a swing, but a little more variation than you'd get with identical shots.

I'm trying this now, too soon to say if it has any effect.   Anybody else ever try something like this?

9

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Making the case for HCG

« on: May 12, 2016, 09:36:46 pm »

I've now been on TRT for 5 years.   It's made a huge difference for me in just about all the ways it can.   

I do still cycle through "on" and "off" periods a bit.   The "off" periods aren't terrible, just lowish libido, mild ED, and I feel it cognitively as well.   This is despite very stable T levels (running between trough of 700 and peak of 900 or so) with twice weekly sub q cypionate.   E2 is also in decent range;  it seems to vary a bit but has not been out of normal ranges (usually between 25 and 35).

I strongly suspect that my "on/off" cycling comes from levels of some other hormones affected by the TRT shutdown, and that my system is turning itself on and off from time to time.   Which leads me to be inclined toward trying HCG.

The most likely path is through a specialist, but the ones in my area are I would say kind of questionable.   Telemed through Defy or others is an option, but that does still require lab testing supervised by my regular doc (I live in a state where self-testing is prohibited) and coordination with her.

My doc is not a TRT specialist but she's been great and very open-minded.   Doesn't write blank-check prescriptions, but will prescribe things if there is legit science to support it.  She would not object to my working with a doc by telemed, but also would probably be willing to prescribe and manage if provided with evidence for use of HCG.

I am looking for the best one or two references to provide her to support it.   I think everyone here knows that it's common practice, but "there's a lot of people talking about it on the internet" is not the sort of reference I need.   

Any suggestions would be welcome.   Thanks.

10

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / PSA and continuing TRT

« on: December 17, 2015, 04:07:45 pm »

Just had my regular PSA pulled.   Everything's fine, but every time I get that test, I worry about a bad reading and having to go off TRT.   Like many of us, I've been on long enough now that I'm almost certainly entirely shut down, so I'd be down to near 0.  I remember what life was like when I was in the 100's, and don't want to contemplate that.

Something for all of us to worry about.

So, this seems something to talk about here proactively.

Does anyone know of how best to approach the subject of continuing TRT in the face of a high PSA.   Logically, the PSA test is highly unreliable -- false positive city -- and there's Morgentaler's work showing that testosterone is not really a problem anyway.  There's also the fact that I at least would be a complete wreck with T that low.  But the "standard treatment" is to end it, and docs are rightfully fearful of liability.  So, assuming that you get a high PSA and want to continue TRT, is it even possible to do that?

Anyone know of any docs or clinics that would continue to prescribe TRT under those circumstances?

It would be nice to at least compile a thorough list of legit medical resources that show that discontinuing TRT is unnecessary, for anyone who finds himself in that position and wants to be able to make the case.

11

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Mushrooms Probably Lowered My Estradiol But Switching to Anastrazole

« on: July 07, 2015, 04:12:08 am »

So, I've been able to control my estradiol pretty well using various dietary aromatase inhibitors.  Most effective have been mushrooms and cruciferous veggies, and recently had a pretty good success with chamomile.   However, it gets impractical to make sure to eat a couple pounds of mushrooms a week, and you can't always drink four glasses of iced tea with chamomile, and I was never 100% sure how much I needed it anyway.   So I went a couple weeks avoiding mushrooms and chamomile, and didn't avoid crucifers but didn't eat a ton of them.

Lab results came back, and my E2 went from around 25 at last reading to 79.   (Total T was in the 900's both times.)

I was not surprised it was that high.   During this experiment I completely lost all libido, and started having trouble holding back the tears at typical tear-jerker stuff.

OK, so, first of all, yay mushrooms (and for someone who is just a little high, they might be a practical solution) but still, not practical to have to eat them in the quantity I was doing.  Obviously they were needed, but it's just not practical to have too keep cooking them and fitting them in such a large quantity into my diet.   So, something else has to give.

So, my doc and I discussed this and I've started anastrazole, 1/2 mg every other day.   Going to test again in 3 months, and see where the numbers are, as well as watching symptoms.

So, I started a week ago.   Had an almost immediate start of improvement in emotional stability and sexual function, both of which have continued to improve.   Two questions for the field:

1.   Based on the half life of anastrazole (3-4 days I believe), after about two weeks I should be at a steady level of where I'm going to be on this dose.   So, how long after that should I expect that E2 levels will get to where they are going to get at this dose?   I would assume not too long afterwards, but should I expect to be there pretty much at two weeks?   A week later?   Two weeks later?   

2.    My doc suggested I consider a bone-density scan, up front and then assuming I stay on it, about five years in.   To me this seems unnecessary, but I appreciate that she's looking out for me pretty thoroughly.   Question:   is the risk of osteoporosis and such due to the drug itself, or is it due to low E2 levels?    On a low dose, and without intending to keep E2 abnormally low, is osteo a sufficient risk to be doing something like that?   

Advice appreciated.

12

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Apigenin Increased My Libido

« on: May 27, 2015, 10:15:19 pm »

Ok folks, when I finally think I've got the full skippy, seems I always find something new. 

Recently I heard about apigenin, which has all sorts of wonderful claimed attributes including powerful aromatase inhibition.   Not generally available as a supplement, but abundant in a number of foods.

I learned about it when researching chamomile, which is a lead ingredient in trader joes ginger peach white tea.  I like the tea, but always want to research anything new and herbal for possible impacts on hormones. (Lavender, for example, does bad things...).

So, in researching I found out that chamomile is a huge source of apigenin.  I've been drinking this tea iced regularly for about two weeks, and starting a few days in I began to experience severe clinical horniness. 

Anybody have experience or info beyond basic Google-fu on this?

13

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Easy Testosterone Cypionate Injection Fill Method Explained

« on: April 10, 2015, 03:13:53 pm »

[MODERATOR SPLIT FROM HERE: http://www.peaktestosterone.com/forum/index.php?topic=7031.0.]

Steady and Regulus, do you guys backfill your syringes or draw with another needle size?

I don't backfill, I don't prefill.   I just do it as I go.

1.   Wipe the top of the bottle with alcohol.
2.   Pull the stopped on the syringe back to the desired dose.
3.   Insert needle into the bottle, push the air into the bottle, and invert.
4.   Slowly pull back the stopper to a little past the desired dose.   There will always be some amount of vaccuum that does not fill immediately, but once you have pulled back to the desired dose, just hold the bottle inverted for a half minute or so and the vaccuum will rise to the top.   Then push forward.  At this point you should have the very close to the full dose in the syringe.  If a bubble or two remains, pull back a little, then wait a bit for the vaccuum to rise to the top, and push forward.  Sometimes you will not get it perfect but you can always get the bubbles to small enough that they are irrelevant, if you are patient.

I honestly don't know why so many people say they have trouble with the smaller gauges.  Yes, it does require a little patience because the liquid is more viscous than insulin, but really I have not found it to be difficult or overly time consuming at all.   But YMMV I suppose!

14

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Monday Wednesday Friday Testosterone Cypionate Schedule

« on: April 02, 2015, 03:04:02 pm »

[MODERATOR SPLIT FROM HERE: http://www.peaktestosterone.com/forum/index.php?topic=6175.0.]

I've also been trying something similar Peak.   I dropped to 80 mg a week when you did, and while I sure felt a million percent better than pre-TRT, I was losing some libido, and did seem to have a bit less energy.   So I'm now back to 100 mg, but splitting it up a bit more.

One problem with dividing things up is that we schedule everything by day of the week, weeks have seven days, and seven is a prime number.   Doing every 3.5 days isn't bad (you can do something like Sat night, Weds morning) but it's hard to do a fixed schedule with anything more often than that.  Every day would be easy to remember, but I think that's excessive.

Here's what I've been doing and it seems to be working well.   I've abandoned the idea that shots have to be equally spaced.   There's really no reason for that. 

So I am doing the shots in the morning on Mon, Weds and Fri (easy to remember that schedule).  I do 2/7 of my weekly dose on Mon and Weds, and 3/7 on Friday.   Since I am doing 100mg per week, I adjust that down to 98mg for divisibility by 7, and it's not hard to remember.

I don't know if anyone else has tried something like this, but so far I like it a lot.

15

Testosterone, Hormones and General Men's Health / Check Out the Non GMO Project Site

« on: February 22, 2015, 04:06:34 am »

[MODERATOR SPLIT FROM HERE: http://www.peaktestosterone.com/forum/index.php?topic=6578.0.]

This also raises some questions about corn: I love corn! Though you mentioned several times that corn in the US is mostly GMO. But, what if it is ORGANIC corn? I wonder if organic corn (Like Trader Joe's organic frozen corn) is non GMO. I will have to look into that.

Organic cannot be GMO.  Sometimes you'll see the phrase "grow without the use of synthetic pesticides" or something like that.  There is a brand of popcorn that does that for example.  That's GMO in all likelihood.  But organic cannot be GMO. 

Same is true with soy. Most soy is GMO, but organic is not. 

That said, for both corn and soy, with all of that GMO pollen floating around it is likely that even certified organic crops contain at least some GMO's in them.

Yeah, I finally confirmed the above from a pretty reliable source.  Trader Joe's is leading the way on this.  One of the store workers told me that they are slowly moving toward all GMO as the agricultural infrastructure is being built up.  I hope Americans support it and buy it.  That seems to be the trend!

Check out nongmoproject.org    You are starting to see their certifications on more and more products;  I just looked up the website from the certification on my soy coffee creamer.  :-)