“Pharmaceutical companies have seized on the decline in testosterone levels as pathological and applicable to every man. They aim to convince men that common effects of aging like slowing down a bit and feeling less sexual actually constitute a new disease, and that they need a prescription to cure it. This is a seductive message for many men, who just want to feel better than they do, and want to give it a shot, literally.” From op-ed contributor [New York Times] John La Puma.
As I have written about exhaustively, “Low-T” as it is referred is has become a meme for institutionalized drug dealing in America.
~~~
This year alone, the FDA has issued a number of warnings to physicians and male patients regarding the use of testosterone drugs, which they say may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. They’re currently urging doctors and drug makers to warn patients about the potential life-threatening risks they pose. The FDA also wants doctors to prescribe testosterone only to men who are suffering from low testosterone caused by a medical condition confirmed by laboratory tests.
But these days are are no tests, just questions:
PHYSICIAN:
How can I help you?
PATIENT:
I’m feeling a little sluggish and my sex drive isn’t what it used to be.
PHYSICIAN:
Let’s start you off with 1 cc of testosterone a week and shoot me an email to let me know how you’re feeling.
PATIENT:
Thanks, Doc. It’s nice to finally meet someone who gets it.
~~~
With billions in profits on the line, the objective is to bring testosterone supplementation mainstream, like taking a daily multi-vitamin, or prescribing Adderall to people who can’t read the encyclopedia Britannica backwards without falling asleep.
For those who may be squeamish about needles, the industry has introduced a plethora of innovative drug delivery systems:
1. Transdermal Skin Patch: Androderm is a skin patch worn on the arm or upper body, applied once a day. This may cause severe itching and fluid-filled blisters.
2. Gels: AndroGel and Testim are most commonly used and come in individual packets of clear testosterone gel. It’s applied once a day and absorbed directly through the skin. AndroGel, Axiron and Fortesta also come in a pump that delivers the prescribed amount of testosterone. Natesto is a gel applied through the nose. These gels may leave skin red, irritated or itchy.
3. Testosterone Stick: Similar to an underarm deodorant, it’s applied directly to the skin.
4. Mouth Patch: Striant is a tablet that is applied to the upper gum twice per day. It continuously releases testosterone into the blood through the oral tissues. Men may experience an unpleasant or bitter taste in the mouth, difficulty tasting food, stinging or swelling of the lips, and gum pain, tenderness, swelling, and irritation in the mouth.
5. Injections and implants: Testosterone can also be injected directly into the muscles or implanted as pellets in the soft tissues. The body will slowly absorbed the testosterone into the blood stream. Side effects include inflammation and pain.
6. Testosterone pills: Two of the more common formulas are called methyltestosterone and testosterone undecanoate. Some evidence has shown that oral testosterone may cause damage to the liver.
You can’t beat that.
Of course, all testosterone therapy options have annoying side effects, including:
• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• Stimulation of prostate tissue
• Serious blood clots
• Hair loss
• Acne or oily skin
• Mild fluid retention
• Breast enlargement
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Worsening of sleep apnea
• Shrunken testicles
• Increased aggression and mood swings
• Decrease in sperm count
Then there’s the link between Testosterone and Prostate Cancer, but who’s counting?
~~~
The truth is testosterone injections should never be the first line of defense when it comes to treating low T.
What many men don’t realize is that testosterone is a lifelong therapy. Once you’re on these therapies, a physician monitors your levels every 6 months or even more frequently. It’s critical to explore all your options and look to natural methods, as opposed to jumping into replacement therapy.
But I’m wasting my breath here because I’m not a physician, and therefore, have no idea what the hell I’m talking about.
All I do know is that if you have an actual condition that could benefit from testosterone supplementation, by all means go for it.
But the point of this and other articles is that everyone is now taking testosterone to be bigger, badder, better than they were before. They do it for the edge it gives them over mortals. The allure is hard to dismiss.
They also have a battery excuses at their disposal to justify the drugs.
Here’s the biggest:
Testosterone decreases by 1 percent each year after.
Then there’s…
• Increase in belly fat
• Weight gain
• Low to no sex drive (we certainly can’t have that)
• Fatigue
• Risk of depression
• Irritability
• Mood Swings
• Low energy
• Bone density
• Increased risk of diabetes
Who wants any of those when a simple prescription can alleviate all of them?
Personally, I follow another regimen:
1. Limit alcohol intake: Even drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can cause testosterone levels to plummet.
2. Reduce stress: be mindful of factors in your life that create stress. Mental or physical stress can quickly depress your levels. The stress hormone cortisol suppresses the body’s ability to make testosterone.
3. Cardio: High-intensity exercise can cut stress in half but don’t overdo it. Injuries and fatigue are sure signs that your workout may lower testosterone.
4. Zinc: The mineral zinc is important for testosterone production. Look to protein-rich foods like meats and fish. If you decide to supplement zinc, stick to a dosage of less than 40mg per day.
5. Vitamin D: This is a big secret when it comes to healthy testosterone levels. Foods like shellfish, tuna, salmon, egg yolks, beans and others work great. You can also look into taking vitamin D supplements, 1,000-2,000 IU per day (that’s what I personally do) and monitor your levels after that. Vitamin D levels should be between 30-60.
6. Limit Sugar: When in doubt, say no to sugar. Testosterone levels decrease because sugar leads to a high insulin level.
7. Healthy fats: Foods like olive oil, raw nuts, coconut oil, grass-fed meats and avocados are essential for building testosterone — 50-70 percent of your diet should include healthy fats.
Having said this, i can personally attest to the fact that testosterone coupled with a whole new array of drug cocktails absolutely, positively provide a bigger, badder edge.
I could lift more weight, sleep less, have more energy, lose belly fat [like, all of it], get lean while building muscle…and on and on…
There’s a reason professional athletes look the way they do no matter how much they travel, how little they sleep and how hard they play.
But most people aren’t professional athletes, which is lost on everyone but professional athletes.
SUMMARY REMARKS
I’m sure that most people think the world I talk about is fiction, that I either have a vivid imagination, or I’m completely insane.
This simply cannot be in the real world.
Boys grow up to be men who get married have children and then retire and die long before they’re technically dead.
This is considered normal.
But in my world there is no such thing as growing up when you can afford not to.
The point is to age well.
Death itself s irrelevant because you don’t have to put up with the indignity of falling apart.
When you acculturated to think this way, drugs are a no-brainer.