T levels down 50% over last 18 months

[mjb]

I had some blood work done in July 2014, just out of curiosity. After having checked again last week, it is down by 50%. How common is a rapid fall in levels like this?

July 2014
Total testosterone = 562
Free = 10.2

Jan. 2016
Total testosterone = 305
Free = 5.03

I am 41 yrs. old and have been lifting weights for 26. Noticing body fat is up a bit and feeling cloudy more often than I used to. Not taking any medications at all.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[MikeXL]

Other than increase in BF and feeling cloudy, what other symptoms do you have? And what exactly do you mean by cloudy?

 

[Vince]

Could be timing? Levels change throughout the day.

 

[mjb]

Could be timing? Levels change throughout the day.

Both done fasted at 1100 and 1115.

 

[Vince]

Your natural testosterone is highest first thing in the morning.

 

[Vince]

how to increase your levels naturally https://www.excelmale.com/?s=148-search


https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...Testosterone-Levels-Naturally-and-You-Can-Too

 

[mjb]

Other than increase in BF and feeling cloudy, what other symptoms do you have? And what exactly do you mean by cloudy?

By cloudy I mean more tired, forgetful, harder to concentrate. Maybe foggy is a better weather analogy.

Strength is about the same, but workouts have a higher perceived exertion for sure.

 

[Vince Carter]

without getting in to numbers the thing I started with in a general sense for all my symptoms was that I suddenly felt old, and I mean in the span of a year just bottomed out.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

mjb

Are you sleeping OK? Any weight gain? Taking any supplements?

 

[mjb]

mjb

Are you sleeping OK? Any weight gain? Taking any supplements?

Sleep is okay most nights. Once every week or two I'll be up early (3-4 AM) and unable to fall back asleep. Occurring a little more often than it used to.

Weight is the same, just at a worse body comp.. 180 @ ~15 % now. Had been at a consistent ~8-10 for the last 9 years, according to my caliper log. Was 205 @ 7% for most of my twenties, but can't deadlift or squat like I did back then.

I take 5mg of melatonin most nights. Creatine 5 days per week. 1-2 servings of whey protein most days. No other meds, vitamins, or supplements.

 

[mjb]

Could be timing? Levels change throughout the day.

Yeah, but not by that much, right? Maybe a 17% swing according to the studies I've read. And they say the fluctuation is less and less with each decade. Couldn't hurt to get an early AM one for comparison though.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2007.07022.x/pdf

 

[Vince]

Circadian rhythms can have an impact on many bodily functions, and testosterone levels are no exception. Normally, they are highest in the morning, usually at about 8 a.m. A man's testosterone levels then decline throughout the rest of the day, reaching a low point before bedtime--the theory being that he does not need testosterone while he sleeps. The day's events can change this pattern, however.
Some social situations including the presence of females can raise a man's testosterone, especially if other men are present. "The New York Times" quotes Alan Booth, a sociologist at Penn State University, as indicating that when participating in sporting events, male competitors show a consistent increase in testosterone during the course of the game. If they win, their testosterone stays high. If they do not, it plummets. This holds equally as true for a game of checkers as for a championship football game.

 

[mjb]

mjb


Are you sleeping OK? Any weight gain? Taking any supplements?

Sleep is okay most nights. Once every week or two I'll be up early (3-4 AM) and unable to fall back asleep. Occurring a little more often than it used to.


Weight is the same, just at a worse body comp.. 180 @ ~15 % now. Had been at a consistent ~8-10 for the last 9 years, according to my caliper log. Was 205 @ 7% for most of my twenties, but can't deadlift or squat like I did back then.


I take 5mg of melatonin most nights. Creatine 5 days per week. 1-2 servings of whey protein most days. No other meds, vitamins, or supplements.

 

[mjb]

Thanks for sharing. Not ready to admit feeling old, but sure don't feel 25 anymore.

 

[mjb]

mjb


Are you sleeping OK? Any weight gain? Taking any supplements?

Sleep is okay most nights. Once every week or two I'll be up early (3-4 AM) and unable to fall back asleep. Occurring a little more often than it used to.


Weight is the same, just at a worse body comp.. 180 @ ~15 % now. Had been at a consistent ~8-10 for the last 9 years, according to my caliper log. Was 205 @ 7% for most of my twenties, but can't deadlift or squat like I did back then.


I take 5mg of melatonin most nights. Creatine 5 days per week. 1-2 servings of whey protein most days. No other meds, vitamins, or supplements.

 

[mjb]

Vergel,

Sleep is okay most nights. Once every week or two I'll be up early (3-4 AM) and unable to fall back asleep. Occurring a little more often than it used to.


Weight is the same, just at a worse body comp.. 180 @ ~15 % now. Had been at a consistent ~8-10 for the last 9 years, according to my caliper log. Was 205 @ 7% for most of my twenties, but can't deadlift or squat like I did back then.


I take 5mg of melatonin most nights. Creatine 5 days per week. 1-2 servings of whey protein most days. No other meds, vitamins, or supplements.
[email protected]

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I really do not know why your testosterone decreased. The time when sample was obtained, whether or not fasting was done, lifestyle changes, and other factors can explain the change.

 

[smcgann]

I know from my research that a selenium deficiency can cause T to tank. I had friend who's T dropped into the 200s, I had him eat a few Brazil nuts and almonds every day for awhile. He told me he bounce back to the 600s. Of course this only works if you actually have a nutrient deficiency. I learned some of this from author Tim Ferris, in his book 4 Hour Body.