Any men have low-T and have diet & working out help?
jennk5309
Posts: 206 Member
I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
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Replies
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Exercise and weight loss will "naturally" help to increase low T if it's apparent.
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Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
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Zinc and D can help if you are actually deficient in those. You can get blood work done to check them. If they are optimal, taking more will not help.
Is your husband on a calorie deficit? Reducing your calories below maintenance for a long period of time will reduce your T. It will return to normal once you've increased your calories again.
Dietary fats help support healthy T levels, specifically EFAs. Again, if he's getting enough already then taking more will not help. I recommend he takes 1500mg of EFAs as DHA and EPA every day anyway.
Eating a high fat diet is pointless if he works out. High fat means you need to cut carbs, which are going to help him lift more in the gym. Sacrificing strength and power in the gym for more dietary fat which may increase his T very slightly is not worth it.
Regarding the low grains approach; there is no evidence to support that. I don't recommend he avoids grains.0 -
Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
But...the hormone they replace is one made inside of our bodies...so it technically is natural.
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galgenstrick wrote: »Zinc and D can help if you are actually deficient in those. You can get blood work done to check them. If they are optimal, taking more will not help.
Is your husband on a calorie deficit? Reducing your calories below maintenance for a long period of time will reduce your T. It will return to normal once you've increased your calories again.
Dietary fats help support healthy T levels, specifically EFAs. Again, if he's getting enough already then taking more will not help. I recommend he takes 1500mg of EFAs as DHA and EPA every day anyway.
Eating a high fat diet is pointless if he works out. High fat means you need to cut carbs, which are going to help him lift more in the gym. Sacrificing strength and power in the gym for more dietary fat which may increase his T very slightly is not worth it.
No, he is not in a deficit. He hasn't been doing anything and is about 30 pounds overweight. He's just now starting to lift and do some cardio, easing into it. He hasn't changed his diet.
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lemonsnowdrop wrote: »Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
But...the hormone they replace is one made inside of our bodies...so it technically is natural.
I guess we'll have to do some more research on it.
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lemonsnowdrop wrote: »Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
But...the hormone they replace is one made inside of our bodies...so it technically is natural.
I guess we'll have to do some more research on it.
I would highly recommend he gets to a healthy weight, puts on some muscle, and eats a healthy diet before trying replacement therapy.
There are many reasons to not supplement with T, one of which is the cost. I think androgel is about $400/month w/o insurance.
There is some evidence that your body reduce its natural testosterone production when on the medication, so he may become dependent. There is some evidence that that's not true as well, but it would be good to play it safe.0 -
Even if improved diet and exercise (lifting) doesn't increase his testosterone it will likely make him feel better and should help with whatever issue you're seeing (energy/mood/sex drive levels I'm guessing).0
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Just a thought .... He is only 30 lbs over weight. Not really enough to effect T... You might need to talk to a marriage counselor about underlaying issues that are manifesting as low T.0
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He should really have a doctor check his hormone levels before assuming that this is the problem. I would also push to have a vitamin D test done as well. I had some signs of Low-T a while back (lots of anxiety/depression etc), we did the testosterone blood test and it was normal. Fast forward a year later and I had a vitamin D deficiency test done, it was very low. I started supplementing Vitamin D and Fish oil and have had no symptoms of anxiety since, even stuff that would set me off before are no big deal any more.0
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I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Why hasn't he been tested to confirm your hypothesis?
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chokeslam512 wrote: »He should really have a doctor check his hormone levels before assuming that this is the problem.
Even if it isn't the problem losing 30 lbs, improving his diet, and hitting the weights hard can't hurt and will probably help regardless of the cause.0 -
mburgess458 wrote: »chokeslam512 wrote: »He should really have a doctor check his hormone levels before assuming that this is the problem.
Even if it isn't the problem losing 30 lbs, improving his diet, and hitting the weights hard can't hurt and will probably help regardless of the cause.
Which he would have to do himself because he recognises he has a problem he would like to fix0 -
I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Why hasn't he been tested to confirm your hypothesis?
Because self-diagnosis is always a great idea /s
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mburgess458 wrote: »chokeslam512 wrote: »He should really have a doctor check his hormone levels before assuming that this is the problem.
Even if it isn't the problem losing 30 lbs, improving his diet, and hitting the weights hard can't hurt and will probably help regardless of the cause.
Which he would have to do himself because he recognises he has a problem he would like to fix
As opposed to what? Was the OP going to give him hormone replacement therapy against his will or without his knowledge? He has recognize the problem and like to fix it regardless of the "fix".0 -
I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Why hasn't he been tested to confirm your hypothesis?
It's not me - it's him.0 -
mburgess458 wrote: »mburgess458 wrote: »chokeslam512 wrote: »He should really have a doctor check his hormone levels before assuming that this is the problem.
Even if it isn't the problem losing 30 lbs, improving his diet, and hitting the weights hard can't hurt and will probably help regardless of the cause.
Which he would have to do himself because he recognises he has a problem he would like to fix
As opposed to what? Was the OP going to give him hormone replacement therapy against his will or without his knowledge? He has recognize the problem and like to fix it regardless of the "fix".
If he doesn't think there is a problem, maybe there really isn't. All I hear is a significant other stating they believe their SO has a condition that they have never been tested for and looking for solutions to the condition they may not even have.0 -
If he needs to lose 30 pounds, his T levels will drop while he's in a caloric deficit. 30 pounds will likely take 6 months or more. Just be aware of that.
Consider the following:
1. take a quality multi vitamin every day
2. 1500mg EFAs in the form of DHA and EPA.
4. 5000-10000 iu of vitamin D as D3 per day
5. high protein diet (~1g of protein per pound of body weight)
6. Compound strength training (stronglifts 5x5 or starting strength) 3x a week
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I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Why hasn't he been tested to confirm your hypothesis?
This ^0 -
I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Yup I agree with why has he not been tested then?
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lemonsnowdrop wrote: »Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
But...the hormone they replace is one made inside of our bodies...so it technically is natural.
One of the doctors I was working with thinks hormone replacement is a horrible idea since a known side effect is cancer. The body naturally loses testosterone as men age; that is what is natural. People should definitely discuss the treatment, side effects, and their family history with their doctors. Hormone replacement might be appropriate for some people but not for others.0 -
yopeeps025 wrote: »I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Yup I agree with why has he not been tested then?
Because he likely doesn't see a problem and has no idea his wife is going this "research".0 -
lemonsnowdrop wrote: »Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
But...the hormone they replace is one made inside of our bodies...so it technically is natural.
One of the doctors I was working with thinks hormone replacement is a horrible idea since a known side effect is cancer. The body naturally loses testosterone as men age; that is what is natural. People should definitely discuss the treatment, side effects, and their family history with their doctors. Hormone replacement might be appropriate for some people but not for others.
Well sure, but I don't think people should call putting something that is naturally produced into your body unnatural.0 -
Also OP what are these obvious reasons you speak of?0
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Seems to me you have only one option, which would be a 3-pronged approach
1. Continue to discuss this with him and encourage him to get tested
2. See what options you have medically and then research those
3. If he feels he would like to get in better shape, point him in the direction of MFP so he can set up his own account and sort out his own weight / fitness goals
I can't see any other route to be honest, the rest is all supposition and out of your hands0 -
Get hormone replacement therapy.
I'm worried about side effects and long term problems. I don't feel like it's been around long enough to trust it. Maybe once men have been using it for another 10 years or so I'll trust it. We're not ruling it out, but I'd like him to try a more natural approach first.
HRT has been used since the 1950s. If he goes on testosterone, it may cause his testicles to shrink. If he is under 50 and wants to preserve testicular size and fertility, daily HCG injections will raise testosterone in a male with low levels (but will not raise it in males with normal levels).
See a physician who specializes in this. The whole field is filled with smoke, mirrors, snake oil, and fear mongering.
You wouldn't expect diet and exercise to help with type one diabetes. Low testosterone is the same.
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Lrdoflamancha wrote: »Just a thought .... He is only 30 lbs over weight. Not really enough to effect T... You might need to talk to a marriage counselor about underlaying issues that are manifesting as low T.
He has many signs and symptoms of it, and also has blood sugar issues, which I've heard can affect testosterone levels.
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Lrdoflamancha wrote: »Just a thought .... He is only 30 lbs over weight. Not really enough to effect T... You might need to talk to a marriage counselor about underlaying issues that are manifesting as low T.
He has many signs and symptoms of it, and also has blood sugar issues, which I've heard can affect testosterone levels.
How do you know he has blood sugar issues?0 -
Lrdoflamancha wrote: »Just a thought .... He is only 30 lbs over weight. Not really enough to effect T... You might need to talk to a marriage counselor about underlaying issues that are manifesting as low T.
He has many signs and symptoms of it, and also has blood sugar issues, which I've heard can affect testosterone levels.
So what is his excuse for not getting medically tested?
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yopeeps025 wrote: »I'm asking so I can help my husband (and our marriage).
I was reading that a diet with good fats (nuts, olive oil, eggs, red meat, etc.), lower in grains, lots of vegetables and low fructose is what is best for increasing testosterone. That plus Vitamin D and Zinc supplementation and hitting the weights, hard.
Any men done that and been successful in increasing their testosterone, or did you have to see a doctor?
He hasn't been tested for low-T, but it's obvious that it's a problem.
Any really good suggestions?
Yup I agree with why has he not been tested then?
Because he likely doesn't see a problem and has no idea his wife is going this "research".
Jeez.....all this speculation. HE brought up the idea of low testosterone, and yes, he is making an appointment. Appointments, specialists take time and we're trying to see what he can do to jumpstart helping the issue if, indeed, that's what it is. Eating right and exercising are NOT going to make his issues worse, that's for sure.
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