I know there's mostly only chicks here but this is simply a last ditch effort to see if some of the trainers have any ideas.
My testosterone levels have bottomed out to only 223. Normal levels are usually considered between 300 and 1,000 even for guys alot older than my 31 years. The problem appears to be due to my low LH levels, which is what signals testosterone production. My pituitary gland isn't pumping that out. Yesterday an MRI came back normal and ruled out a tumor.
I've read that it could be diet or exercise related. But, on the diet side, I think it's usually due to either extremely high fat and otherwise unhealthy food, or extremely low fat diets. I've also read about protein deficiencies, which I don't think that I have. Also I've read that weight loss can do it, but I purposely stopped losing weight after all my abs area above my belly button got pretty defined. The only thing I've seen that I believe that is applicable to me is stress, but I'm doing alot better in that department yet it's still low. The only condition that I'm still kind of scared of is hemochromatosis, which is where your body absorbs too much iron, and can build up in your pituitary gland. I'm not sure if an MRI would show that or not, I would assume that it would.
I guess the biggest things that it's affecting is sex drive and aggressiveness. As an athlete it kind of concerns me, but these are the only two things that I can consciously tell that has changed.
Since somebody is probably going to ask since it's typical in the harsh truth section, here's my situation:
5'9", 153 pounds, about a 29" waist...
typical eating habits:
1. bowl of kashi and soy milk first thing in the mornings
2. 1 egg or sometimes fruit smoothie with yogurt as a late breakfast
3. 1 banana as a mid-morning snack around 10
4. black bean soup, fish and veggies, red beans and rice, venison bbq and potatoes, or that kind of thing for lunch
5. 1 apple afternoon snack
6. pistachios, beef jerky, a clif bar, dried apricots, and that sort of thing right before riding or running in the afternoons
7. usually I'll have a soy protein shake, fruit smoothie with milk and yogurt, or quite a bit of cottage cheese immediately after a workout.
8. for dinner I have something that's a good dose of protein and complex carbs, such as salmon and sweet potatoes, grilled chicken and basmati rice, that kind of thing
9. at least a gallon of water every day.
typical exercise habits (usually 6 days a week total, this varies a little):
1. one day a week mountain biking hard for 2 to 3 hours
2. three days a week running 3 to 10 mile distances at 7.5 to 8 minute mile paces.
3. one day a week intervals, usually 200 yard sprints on the track
4. one day a week circuit training with weights, and about 1,400 jump rope reps
5. stretches, 50 crunches, 50 leg lifts, 20 Hindu pushups, 40 normal pushups nearly every day
6. always take Monday's off.
If anything stands out, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION, please let me know.
My testosterone levels have bottomed out to only 223. Normal levels are usually considered between 300 and 1,000 even for guys alot older than my 31 years. The problem appears to be due to my low LH levels, which is what signals testosterone production. My pituitary gland isn't pumping that out. Yesterday an MRI came back normal and ruled out a tumor.
I've read that it could be diet or exercise related. But, on the diet side, I think it's usually due to either extremely high fat and otherwise unhealthy food, or extremely low fat diets. I've also read about protein deficiencies, which I don't think that I have. Also I've read that weight loss can do it, but I purposely stopped losing weight after all my abs area above my belly button got pretty defined. The only thing I've seen that I believe that is applicable to me is stress, but I'm doing alot better in that department yet it's still low. The only condition that I'm still kind of scared of is hemochromatosis, which is where your body absorbs too much iron, and can build up in your pituitary gland. I'm not sure if an MRI would show that or not, I would assume that it would.
I guess the biggest things that it's affecting is sex drive and aggressiveness. As an athlete it kind of concerns me, but these are the only two things that I can consciously tell that has changed.
Since somebody is probably going to ask since it's typical in the harsh truth section, here's my situation:
5'9", 153 pounds, about a 29" waist...
typical eating habits:
1. bowl of kashi and soy milk first thing in the mornings
2. 1 egg or sometimes fruit smoothie with yogurt as a late breakfast
3. 1 banana as a mid-morning snack around 10
4. black bean soup, fish and veggies, red beans and rice, venison bbq and potatoes, or that kind of thing for lunch
5. 1 apple afternoon snack
6. pistachios, beef jerky, a clif bar, dried apricots, and that sort of thing right before riding or running in the afternoons
7. usually I'll have a soy protein shake, fruit smoothie with milk and yogurt, or quite a bit of cottage cheese immediately after a workout.
8. for dinner I have something that's a good dose of protein and complex carbs, such as salmon and sweet potatoes, grilled chicken and basmati rice, that kind of thing
9. at least a gallon of water every day.
typical exercise habits (usually 6 days a week total, this varies a little):
1. one day a week mountain biking hard for 2 to 3 hours
2. three days a week running 3 to 10 mile distances at 7.5 to 8 minute mile paces.
3. one day a week intervals, usually 200 yard sprints on the track
4. one day a week circuit training with weights, and about 1,400 jump rope reps
5. stretches, 50 crunches, 50 leg lifts, 20 Hindu pushups, 40 normal pushups nearly every day
6. always take Monday's off.
If anything stands out, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION, please let me know.
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