Good answer. It's a legitimate concern when we get older and chances are that you will test low if tested. I was tested three years ago and have been on replacement therapy ever since my PCP first tested me. I get retested every 6 months now. It made a world of difference for me. For reference, I'm 68.
As a retired Marine, I always felt that training was my medicine. I am now 2 months away from 65, and recovery is getting much harder, and sleep has been very difficult at best. I just started my second month of TRT and it has been the best decision I've made in a long time. My sleep is better, my wife says my attitude is better, and I don't have any more "walk into a room and forget why I'm there," moments. I wake up with "Blue-Steel" often, as opposed to not quite remembering what it felt like. I have been much more satisfied with my recovery from training, and have more motivation lately. When I did my bloodwork, the NP told me my T was low, but not as low as a normal 64-year-old. He asked me if I lift weights, and after affirming I did, he said the training was responsible for my T being slightly higher than average, but still low enough to begin TRT. I'll be getting blood work done again at the end of October to see where my levels are and to see if my dose needs to be adjusted. I did a lot of research and went back and forth before I finally decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. MGySgt Ken Craig. PS: I hit the rack last night at 2030, and woke up fresh at 0430, to drive my wife to work. Sleep is not a problem anymore.
When I get my yearly physical exam my doctor asks me how I keep in shape. I say golf and barbell lifting. He turns away at the mention of barbell lifting, doesnt want to hear it. I can just imagine how any conversation about testosterone levels would go.
I'm 51 years old and started training from 8 months ago bodybuilding and calisthenics ...... feel better now and will go on . Greetings from Damascus ...
I'm 54 and have been lifting for 5 months now, a steady progress of strength and mobility, at 21% body fat now aiming to get down to sub 15%, I just did my bloodwork and my T is at 9.51, above reference values in this country, I ascribe the T to lifting and it's keeping me in an amazing mental state of mild euphoria, haven't felt this good for a long time, if ever
People, men mostly too concerned with T only. Go to a doc that specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. They'll dial in all the necessary levels T being one of 'em and Your Life Will Change! It worked for me!!👊🤠AND my Wife!!! P.s. We're both mid 50's
Pls do a video on yoga with barbells & high intensity cardio. 4x per week I'm doing 10-min sled (push & pull) then barbells (yes, squat, deadlift, press & bench) & 20 minutes sauna, but I didn't start feeling younger, more agile & balanced until adding yoga, but you don't seem to be a fan yoga? I'm not hoping for any specific answer I just want to know your medical & physical therapy opinions, thx!
I'm 51 and was tested a few months back and was told mine is within normal range at 381, but come to find out it's the very low end of normal range which starts at 300 but was not told this. Nothing is being done to help me, so not sure what else I can do to get my testosterone up since none of the doctors here don't seem to care about helping me. I'm just a paycheck to them, lol. I have been working out for months now but can't seem to gain muscle. I'm tired all of the time and have been dealing with other low testosterone issues. I guess I'm just on my own 🤔🤷♂️
I would not consult with your regular GP doctor on testosterone. They know little about it. Go to a wellness clinic that specializes in TRT if you choose to go that route.
Training by itself doesn't help me elevate T levels. My numbers are in the "low normal " and no matter how hard I train and believe me I train harder than most goofs at the gym but my levels won't budge.
Can you please do a video on why you're so specific about "barbell" training, but don't say "dumbbell" training. I'm guessing it has nothing to do with the word "dumb" LOL, I also don't hear you referring to "free weights." Are free weights & dumbbells (in addition to barbells) effective for balance during the movement, strengthening tendons & ligaments? Or does gray still avoid dumbbells?
Greysteel strictly follows Starting Strength protocols, which eschew dumbbells and machines in favor of barbell squat, deadlift, row, bench press, press, and Olympic lifts. (Please someone correct me if I am wrong!)
@@larrydickman1094 You're wrong. We don't "strictly" follow any protocols but our own--what works for the client in front of us. And we use dumbbells all the time. We just don't use them as a primary training modality....for reasons elaborated upon at length in our book, _The Barbell Prescription._
I have been on TRT for a couple of years now. I'm 66. Prescribed by my urologist and my blood work is done every six months to make sure everything is tracking as it should. There are legitimate health concerns for men with low T other than the inability to put on muscle. Nothing supraphysiologic, just maintaining normal levels.
My urologist put me on Testosterone Cypionate 100 / week. I do two 50 doses/ week. What a world of difference. I feel like "me" again. I had all the symptoms of low T for two years. My family doc would not put me on it over prostate cancer fears- But my urologist had no reservations.
It's important to screen for prostate cancer before TRT, but the data indicates that there is no clinically significant oncogenic effect of properly administered therapy.
You recommend "1 gram of protein per pound of lean body weight." I'm 250 lbs, 5'11" age 57. Healthy weight is 180. So I should eat 180 grams of protein per day?
Not the doc, but your lean body mass is the amount of weight you carry that isn't body fat, whatever that is. I am same age as you, not as big, and I have trouble hitting that 1g mark unless I eat less potatoes or beer.
Eat 1 gram of protein per lb of your desired body weight. If you are cutting and your target weight is 180 lbs then 180 grams of protein per day will be sufficient.
Sorry you feel that way. Others do not agree. Tere are plenty of channels that will pretend to be your doctor and/or tell you what you want to hear. This isn't one of them.
60yr old lifter here. Word of advice. Go to a testosterone replacement center and dont just ask your PCP. My PCP ordered a test and my total testosterone was 350, he's like that's normal. Went to a testosterone clinic and they checked all kinds of things including free testosterone. Mine was 6.2. That's low enough to compete as a woman in the Olympics. I have been on replacement therapy for a year. Total testosterone of 1000. Free testosterone is 29.5. Yes I feel better. Not cheap though.
And who did you see at the testosterone replacement center? Was he a shirtless RU-vid fitness guru who sold you a pig in a poke without consideration of your individual medical history, other medications, or personal goals? Or was he, by any chance, a licensed medical professional, possibly even a PHYSICIAN who evaluated you, asked you questions, perhaps even EXAMINED you, and then made the clinical assessment that you were a suitable candidate for TRT and decided, WITH YOU, upon a course of action? Just curious.
@@RIP5582 Not meant like that. I think Todd K took a correct approach. But for the edification of other commenters and viewers, I think my question is directly on point.
@@GreySteel after listening to Ripitoe interview multiple TRT doctors I looked for a good clinic here in the Chicago area. I go to a place called Low T Center. They have over 500 patients at the location I goto. They did blood work including cholesterol and many other things. They do bloodwork every 6 weeks for 6 months then every quarter or as needed. The Dr there is very knowledgeable and runs a great clinic. I had really bad fatigue after I turned 56, my PCP did bloodwork but we never came up with a solution. After hearing three podcasts from Starting Strength describing how it works I considered driving to Chattanooga to visit the clinic there. Discovered the Low T Center not far from my house. So no, I am not seeing some quack.
@@GreySteel I was trying to direct viewers to the place to go because most PCPs wont deal with TRT. I have your book too along with Rips. I have a great time strength training. Staving off death.
Seniors are an important source of revenue for Starting Strength gyms and coaching. Seniors may experience injuries from attempting to lift low-repetition heavy weights, even correctly, and likely will have a difficult time progressing in a linear fashion, adding fives to the bar, and may lose interest and take their cash elsewhere. But hold on, steer them towards TRT under the guise of "Therapy", and whoa and behold, their poundages go up, they feel more masculine, youthful, and become devoted patrons of the SS program. These senior guys were around in the 70s and probably admired the physiques of bodybuilders who were using illegal steroids, but chose to stay away from steroids, but now TRT is "Therapy" and a convenient excuse for taking the PEDs we previously dreamed of taking. We can convince ourselves that we need PED therapy for "health reasons". Folks, listen to your PCP. It's one thing if you truly have a clinical condition that can be helped by artificially increasing testosterone in your body, but don't take unwarranted health risks in the name of ego. Remember the Charles Atlas ad for "The INSULT that made a MAN out of MAC", we'll don't become Mac and sign-up for TRT for the wrong reasons. I say all of this half tongue in cheek and have much admiration for what SS and this channel does to encourage people to become stronger; just proceed with caution and respect what your PCP has to say about the use of TRT for your individual circumstances. I suspect it is rarely warranted and largely abused by people whose real desire is to feed their egos and become Mac.
I'm not sure, John Taylor, where your expertise comes from, but your references to Charles Atlas makes me think your expertise came from comic books. What do you care about what others do? Hormone Replacement Therapy has been around since the 1930s, mostly in the form of treating women for symptoms of Menopause. Chemically synthesized testosterone was produced in 1935, with the two scientists responsible winning the Nobel prize. The symptoms of hypogonadism/andropause/low T, were recognized in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1944, and these findings enabled Medical Professionals to treat Hypogonadism by prescribing TRT. We're now in the next century, and you are questioning the validity of TRT?
Oh, DO _PLEASE_ elaborate. Tell us _all about_ the "REAL questions" and what our ethical and responsible reply SHOULD have been....you know, to prevent this great sadness of which you speak. We're looking forward to your edifications.
