Guest guest Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Hello Group. My Doctor has a slightly different philosophy on the testosterone question. He feels that the bottom line is whether including testosterone therapy imporves the aspects you mention (namely energy level, mood swings, weight loss, depression, loss of sexual desire, etc) or not is the best way to determine if the therapy is beneficial. If someone is experiencing the kinds of issues typically associated with low testosterone levels, rather than go solely on the numbers that result from a blood test, why not start the patient on mild topical or low dose sub-q injection and see if their complaints improve? If they do, then that becomes your base line for treatment. He explained to me that "normal" testosterone levels in non-HIV patients cannot necessarily be used to determine what is "normal" in someone with HIV. There is some evidence that Poz people benefit from higher blood levels of testosterone that non-HIV'ers. Since there are no exact figures on this, the best way to see if testosterone therapy will benefit the patient is to have them try it for a 2-4 week period, see if thier energy level improves, their mood stabilizes or improves, weight loss levels off or turns to weight gain, libido increases, etc. and they experience on negative side effects. About a year ago I was tested and my testosterone level was in the normal (slightly low-normal) range. However I was experiencing some weight loss, lousy mood, low libido, depression. Even though the numbers might have indicated I didn't need testosterone therapy, I suggested it as an option and my Doctor agreed sighting the use of empirical, patient-by-patient experience rather than going strictly by the numbers to be analternate way to determine if there is a benefit there or not. I've been using Androgel for a year now and feel great, have maintained and gained some weight no longer experience any significant depression and have energy and libido aplenty. (Just to be prudent, we did do a follow-up blood test a few monthl later. Levels had increased a bit into the mid-normal range.) Just something to think about. Sometimes we can get too focused on numbers... T-cells, Viral Load, Testosterone level, HDL, LDL, Liver Enzymes, you name it! What really matters is whether something we're doing is helping us feel, look and/or live better. If it is, keep it up. If it isn't, then bag it and try something else. Hope that helps. Best regards to everyone. -Mr Re: testosterone Mychael, Yes, the testosterone level should be checked occaisionally. In men, low testosterone can cause tiredness, mood swings, weight loss, depression, and loss of sexual desire. I get checked 2-3 times a year. Last check, Dr said I was "severely low" on testosterone, so I'm taking Androgel 7.5 MG. You get that libido back, feel less tired, and if you wanted to, working out will create muscles faster than w/o the replacement therapy. (My New Year resolution: WORK OUT to add muscle. I'm tired of that gaunt look, and the year I worked out 5 days/week I looked and felt great. I want that again) Mychael Dark wrote: i have to admit i am a little niave with some of thistestosterone talk. should i talk to my doctor to seeif she is testing its levels?i do get worn out easily and seem to need ten plushours of sleep. can someone tell me more about it?thanks mychael __________________________________________ Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less Welcome to our PozHealth group!If you received this email from someone who forwarded it to you and would like to join this group, send a blank email to PozHealth-subscribe and you will get an email with instructions to follow. You can chose to receive single emails or a daily digest (collection of emails). You can post pictures, images, attach files and search by keyword old postings in the group.For those of you who are members already and want to switch from single emails to digest or vice versa, visit www.yahoogroups.com, click on PozHealth, then on "edit my membership" and go down to your selection. The list administrator does not process any requests, so this is a do-it-yourself easy process ! :)Thanks for joining. You will learn and share a lot in this group!NOTE: I moderate, approve or disapprove emails before they are posted. Please follow the guidelines shown in the homepage. I will not allow rudeness, sexually explicit material, attacks, and anyone who does not follow the rules. If you are not OK with this, please do not join the group. Forward this email to anyone who may benefit from this information! Thanks!In Health, Vergel (PoWeRTX@...)List Founder and Moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 I started Androgel several years ago with my test numbers in the "low normal" range also. I know several HIV+ people who are using testosterone replacement (includes a couple of women) even though their numbers are within the normal range - for "normal" healthy people. I think maybe it's like the case with some nutrients - People with HIV disease seem to need more than the normal balance to maintain good health. Maybe we're not using hormones and nutrients as efficiently? I've played with the dosage and found that every other day works best for me. I test in the "high-normal" range now. If I use it every day I get acne on my back and some rare "aggressive episodes", so I figure I'm holding it right where it helps with my energy, libido, lean muscle mass and cognitive improvement too, without too many side effects. It's no miracle drug, but used carefully, I think it's a good additional therapy for me. BG Re: testosterone I've been using Androgel for a year now and feel great, have maintained and gained some weight no longer experience any significant depression and have energy and libido aplenty. (Just to be prudent, we did do a follow-up blood test a few monthl later. Levels had increased a bit into the mid-normal range.) Just something to think about. Sometimes we can get too focused on numbers... T-cells, Viral Load, Testosterone level, HDL, LDL, Liver Enzymes, you name it! What really matters is whether something we're doing is helping us feel, look and/or live better. If it is, keep it up. If it isn't, then bag it and try something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2006 Report Share Posted December 18, 2006 it is more likely to be related to liver chi etc than testosteron saw palmetto is more for prostate related issues which some men are concerned with testosterone about purpleveg wrote: From my research what I read was that saw palmetto really doesn't do as much as they thought. symptoms I had said just the ability for temper and age is 40's. Reg > if it is to do with prostate issues then herbs like saw palmetto and > pygeum can help but would have to know a little more! ag age, symptoms etc > Ilanit -- Ilanit Tof - Signature Ilanit Ms Ilanit Tof B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology) Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate) Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition ilanit@... www.littletree.com.au Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2006 Report Share Posted December 18, 2006 baked stuff, tahini and avocado makes my liver temperamental so maybe that is setting him off or clogging the works if his liver is sensitive. some shiitake tea or sweet veggie drink, milk thistle herb and barley grass powder and cooked barley with rice (boiled), daikon etc may help the liver to relax. all the usual liver friendly things. -- Ilanit Tof - Signature Ilanit Ms Ilanit Tof B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology) Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate) Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition ilanit@... www.littletree.com.au Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2006 Report Share Posted December 18, 2006 Crackers with tahini and avocado really do a number on the liver and also the pancreas and kidneys. Both drying and fatty. Maybe he can take a rest from those for a while. I would also suggest increasing variety. I am sure he eats other things but this diet doesn't seem very balanced. Lots of fresh fruit can also affect the liver, spleen, kidney balance. Maybe he can use cooked sweet tasting vegs instead. Even if the climate is hot, some well cooked dishes are a good idea because the heat makes you lose minerals and they need to be replaced. Drinking lots of water will also create mineral loss although he is probably doing that to balance the crackers. I would think that his blood could be acidic with this diet too. More whole grains, more vegs in general, more vegetable protein like beans, carrot juice, sauteed vegs, long cooked root vegs etc The drinks leslie suggested are a good idea but watch too much liver work coz the other central organs need to be balanced too - kidneys, ST, Spleen and pancreas. A body rub on a daily basis is a good idea. Watch over eating, and standing up to eat, rushing too much in general. Blessings Re: testosterone > >Hmm let's see I can tell you some of the stuff. >Foods? snack often crackers with tahini and avacado, greens, >tomatoes, quinoa, lots of fresh fruits (hot climate ya know?) and >lots of water. >bowel movements 3 times a day. Urine not sure. Sleep is pretty >regular without disturbance and excellent blood pressure, >cholesterol, etc. > >Does this help? >Thanks, >Reg > >> > > >> > > > Ok, how does one naturally lower testosterone. NOT eating tofu >> > > > please.............. >> > > > Thanks, >> > > > Reggie >> > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > > >> > > -- >> > > >> > > Ilanit >> > > >> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------- >- >> --- >> > ---- >> > > >> > > Little Tree Pty Limited, Melbourne, Australia (Little Tree). ® >> > > registered trademark, © copyright 2003. All rights reserved. >> This >> > email >> > > message and attachments may contain information that is >> > confidential to >> > > Little Tree. If you are not the intended recipient you cannot >> use, >> > > distribute, forward or copy the message or attachments. In such >> a >> > case, >> > > please notify the sender by return email and erase all copies >of >> > the >> > > message and attachments. The sender of this email message does >> not >> > allow >> > > the recipient to forward this email message or attachments in >> whole >> > or >> > > in part by means of the internet. Opinions, conclusions and >> other >> > > information in this message and attachments that do not relate >> to >> > the >> > > official business of Little Ttree are neither given nor >endorsed >> by >> > it. >> > > This email message and any attachments are subject to copyright. >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > Ms Ilanit Tof >> > > B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology) >> > > Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods >> > > PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate) >> > > >> > > Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts >> > > Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing >> > > with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition >> > > >> > > ilanit@ <mailto:ilanit@> >> > > <mailto:ilanit@>www.littletree.com.au >> > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> >> > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> <http://www.littletree.com.au> >> > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> >> > > >> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------- >- >> --- >> > ---- >> > > >> > >> > > Brown Waxman www.celebrate4health.com www.bebabywise.com info@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2006 Report Share Posted December 18, 2006 Sorry I meant the drinks Ilanit suggested - so many posts and great info. forget says what!! Re: Re: testosterone > > >baked stuff, tahini and avocado makes my liver temperamental so maybe >that is setting him off or clogging the works if his liver is sensitive. > >some shiitake tea or sweet veggie drink, milk thistle herb and barley >grass powder and cooked barley with rice (boiled), daikon etc may help >the liver to relax. all the usual liver friendly things. > > >-- > >Ilanit > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Little Tree Pty Limited, Melbourne, Australia (Little Tree). ® >registered trademark, © copyright 2003. All rights reserved. This email >message and attachments may contain information that is confidential to >Little Tree. If you are not the intended recipient you cannot use, >distribute, forward or copy the message or attachments. In such a case, >please notify the sender by return email and erase all copies of the >message and attachments. The sender of this email message does not allow >the recipient to forward this email message or attachments in whole or >in part by means of the internet. Opinions, conclusions and other >information in this message and attachments that do not relate to the >official business of Little Ttree are neither given nor endorsed by it. >This email message and any attachments are subject to copyright. > > > >Ms Ilanit Tof >B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology) >Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods >PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate) > >Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts >Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing >with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition > >ilanit@... >www.littletree.com.au ><http://www.littletree.com.au> ><http://www.littletree.com.au> <http://www.littletree.com.au> ><http://www.littletree.com.au> > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brown Waxman www.celebrate4health.com www.bebabywise.com info@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2006 Report Share Posted December 18, 2006 He's not ill. Had some major checkup thing a few months ago and everything came out more than perfect. I got more info: poop 3-4 times a day; crackers not often, but tomatoes, fresh fruits, greens, some nuts, legumes occasionally; hmmmmmmmmmmm what else????? > > > > > > > > > > > Ok, how does one naturally lower testosterone. NOT eating > tofu > > > > > > please.............. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Reggie > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > > > > > > > Ilanit > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ - > --- > > - > > > --- > > > > ---- > > > > > > > > > > Little Tree Pty Limited, Melbourne, Australia (Little Tree). > ® > > > > > registered trademark, © copyright 2003. All rights reserved. > > > This > > > > email > > > > > message and attachments may contain information that is > > > > confidential to > > > > > Little Tree. If you are not the intended recipient you > cannot > > > use, > > > > > distribute, forward or copy the message or attachments. In > such > > > a > > > > case, > > > > > please notify the sender by return email and erase all > copies > > of > > > > the > > > > > message and attachments. The sender of this email message > does > > > not > > > > allow > > > > > the recipient to forward this email message or attachments > in > > > whole > > > > or > > > > > in part by means of the internet. Opinions, conclusions and > > > other > > > > > information in this message and attachments that do not > relate > > > to > > > > the > > > > > official business of Little Ttree are neither given nor > > endorsed > > > by > > > > it. > > > > > This email message and any attachments are subject to > copyright. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ms Ilanit Tof > > > > > B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology) > > > > > Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods > > > > > PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate) > > > > > > > > > > Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts > > > > > Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing > > > > > with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition > > > > > > > > > > ilanit@ <mailto:ilanit@> > > > > > <mailto:ilanit@>www.littletree.com.au > > > > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> > > > > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> <http://www.littletree.com.au> > > > > > <http://www.littletree.com.au> > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ - > --- > > - > > > --- > > > > ---- > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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