Just wondering because I was placed on Testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) back in February. I got tired of my Primary Care Physician telling me my weight gain was just due to my age (51 at the time). I had been working out and dieting, but constantly gaining weight since 2020. I had been struggling with weight gain since I shattered my lower right leg resulting in an ankle fusion back in 2015.
Since my PC Dr wasn't helpful I started seeking help elsewhere. I was talking with guys at work and was surprised how many in their 20s and 30s were taking testosterone, most prescribed through a Low-T clinic like you hear advertised. My Dr had tested my testosterone and he said I was in the normal range.
I talked it over with my wife and she thought it could be an issue as well. I was concerned that it might not be low testosteroe alone, and didn't want to go to a Low-T clinic. She agreed and talked me into going to her clinic she had been seeing for HRT due to menopause symptoms.
They drew like 19 vials of blood end of January, and I got my first visit with the Dr and nutritionists on the 20th of February. I was pretty sad when I weighed in at 256 lbs, I'm 5' 10" and in my prime in the Army was 195 lbs and retired at 220 in 2017. The other bad news I got was as follows:
1. 91% insulin resistant, which made it nearly impossible to process carbohydrates. This was probably the biggest factor in my weight gain.
2. Cardiac inflamatory markers were 8.95 mg/L, anything above 3.00 mg/L puts me at risk for a cardiac event, or an autoimmune disorder. Dr thought it was the latter as my BP was 117/70 with a resting heart rate of 70 bpm.
3. My testosterone level was 343 ng/dl, she wanted to see me above 700 ng/dl for my age.
4. My total estrogen was at 5% and if I gained 1% more I'd start developing boobs.
5. My PSA had gone up from a 4.5 to 4.92 ng/ml and normal is <4.00 ng/ml. I had a prostate biopsy July 2023 to rule out cancer, as there is a history on my Mom's side.
I was perscribed a sublingual tab of testosterone twice a day and Metformin 3X a day with meals. The rest of the recommendations were vitamins I was deficient in, amino acids, and dietary supplements to lower my PSA numbers. I was also given an IV with a super dose of the vitamins I was lacking to get me starte.
Then shes also a certified nutritionists so we went to diet. I was asked what I'd like to weigh, and I said 200 lbs. So I was put on an 1800 calorie a day diet, telling me to intake 200 grams of protein per day. I was also given a maximum daily intake of 75 grams net carbs per day, and suggested 75 grams total fats. The nutritionists told me if I had to go over to meet my calorie goals to do so protein and fats. I was also told to stay away from seed/vegetable oils, margarine, and soy based products and protein. Other than that I could eat pretty much what I want staying within those guidelines.
I was told to use an phone app like Carb Manager or My Fitness Pal to track my daily intake. I chose Carb Manager as that was what my wife was already using. If you pay for the membership it'll give you recipes you can try. Most are Keto, and my diet isn't, so I cut the fat and add more protein.
If I were to eat my grams of protien in lean meats thats 29 ounces on average a day. It's very difficult to do some days so I've had to supplement with protein shakes and bars, sticking with whey based protien. Low carb beef jerky and tuna packets have become staples while traveling as well.
Anyway in May I reached a milestone, I finally could fit into 36 waist jeans and a Large t-shirt again. On April 29 I weighed in at 221 lbs, down 35 lbs total. This is a before and after photo taken in May.
July 14th was my 6 month check up with the Dr. I'm now down a total of 41 lbs at 215, and I've gone from 91% insulin resistant to 21%. My PSA count spiked in March to 5.9 ng/ml, but has been on a downward trend and currently at 4.2 ng/ml. She'll test my cardiac inflamatory markers at 1 year, but she said with my progress I'm lowering it as well.
I was told to slow down my weight loss, so she upped my calorie intake to a little over 2K a day now. She'd like to see me down to 3 lbs or less per month of weight loss until I reach my goal weight. She also said if I stopped at 215, she said that was good too because I was looking fit and healthy. I've decided to continue on down to 200 lbs, but I may try to start lifting again so if I bulk up a bit I'm okay with that as well.
Since my PC Dr wasn't helpful I started seeking help elsewhere. I was talking with guys at work and was surprised how many in their 20s and 30s were taking testosterone, most prescribed through a Low-T clinic like you hear advertised. My Dr had tested my testosterone and he said I was in the normal range.
I talked it over with my wife and she thought it could be an issue as well. I was concerned that it might not be low testosteroe alone, and didn't want to go to a Low-T clinic. She agreed and talked me into going to her clinic she had been seeing for HRT due to menopause symptoms.
They drew like 19 vials of blood end of January, and I got my first visit with the Dr and nutritionists on the 20th of February. I was pretty sad when I weighed in at 256 lbs, I'm 5' 10" and in my prime in the Army was 195 lbs and retired at 220 in 2017. The other bad news I got was as follows:
1. 91% insulin resistant, which made it nearly impossible to process carbohydrates. This was probably the biggest factor in my weight gain.
2. Cardiac inflamatory markers were 8.95 mg/L, anything above 3.00 mg/L puts me at risk for a cardiac event, or an autoimmune disorder. Dr thought it was the latter as my BP was 117/70 with a resting heart rate of 70 bpm.
3. My testosterone level was 343 ng/dl, she wanted to see me above 700 ng/dl for my age.
4. My total estrogen was at 5% and if I gained 1% more I'd start developing boobs.
5. My PSA had gone up from a 4.5 to 4.92 ng/ml and normal is <4.00 ng/ml. I had a prostate biopsy July 2023 to rule out cancer, as there is a history on my Mom's side.
I was perscribed a sublingual tab of testosterone twice a day and Metformin 3X a day with meals. The rest of the recommendations were vitamins I was deficient in, amino acids, and dietary supplements to lower my PSA numbers. I was also given an IV with a super dose of the vitamins I was lacking to get me starte.
Then shes also a certified nutritionists so we went to diet. I was asked what I'd like to weigh, and I said 200 lbs. So I was put on an 1800 calorie a day diet, telling me to intake 200 grams of protein per day. I was also given a maximum daily intake of 75 grams net carbs per day, and suggested 75 grams total fats. The nutritionists told me if I had to go over to meet my calorie goals to do so protein and fats. I was also told to stay away from seed/vegetable oils, margarine, and soy based products and protein. Other than that I could eat pretty much what I want staying within those guidelines.
I was told to use an phone app like Carb Manager or My Fitness Pal to track my daily intake. I chose Carb Manager as that was what my wife was already using. If you pay for the membership it'll give you recipes you can try. Most are Keto, and my diet isn't, so I cut the fat and add more protein.
If I were to eat my grams of protien in lean meats thats 29 ounces on average a day. It's very difficult to do some days so I've had to supplement with protein shakes and bars, sticking with whey based protien. Low carb beef jerky and tuna packets have become staples while traveling as well.
Anyway in May I reached a milestone, I finally could fit into 36 waist jeans and a Large t-shirt again. On April 29 I weighed in at 221 lbs, down 35 lbs total. This is a before and after photo taken in May.
July 14th was my 6 month check up with the Dr. I'm now down a total of 41 lbs at 215, and I've gone from 91% insulin resistant to 21%. My PSA count spiked in March to 5.9 ng/ml, but has been on a downward trend and currently at 4.2 ng/ml. She'll test my cardiac inflamatory markers at 1 year, but she said with my progress I'm lowering it as well.
I was told to slow down my weight loss, so she upped my calorie intake to a little over 2K a day now. She'd like to see me down to 3 lbs or less per month of weight loss until I reach my goal weight. She also said if I stopped at 215, she said that was good too because I was looking fit and healthy. I've decided to continue on down to 200 lbs, but I may try to start lifting again so if I bulk up a bit I'm okay with that as well.
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! Due to pain managing my food intake, I've lost 25# or so. With the amount of testosterone being replaced with an increase of estrogen, it's not a good loo daysk for men. Keep up the progress as it sucks being unhealthy or in pain. I'll be 59 in a few months, so not that much ahead of you. What I miss is hard labor w/48-60 hour straight work days! If you don't like work, don't produce alfalfa!
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