Fat cells contain aromatase (the enzyme that changes testosterone to estrogen). Thus, the more fat you have, the the higher E/T ratio you’ll have. This is why older men who are overweight have higher E/T ratios than a thin, muscular older man. Please do yourselves a favor and lose any excess weight. This is what I was told when I took endocrinology last year in medical school.
great idea…however, those suffering from low Testosterone find it difficult to lose any ‘excess’ weight.
Mind over matter my friend.
If people are really in trouble, they need be determined to lose weight. Testosterone levels supposedly shoot way up if you do. People also need to stop moping about how they have no energy to workout. Working out boosts the sympathetics and gives you much more energy (which is temporarily helpful). I’ve found it’s the most helpful thing (other than coffee) to keep me from falling asleep all day.
I agree with both of you!
The only things i have been doing for the last few months have been:
- Reduced caffeine and alcohol, but not totally cos I enjoy them
- As much rest as I can fit around work !!
- zinc supplements (2 x15mg). I know some report no or adverse affect, but too many studies report zinc as beneficial (esp. if T levels are low).
- ‘Intensive’ exercise - heavy weights or fast swimming - for short periods
The biggest problem is getting the drive to exercise. When I am having a really good day (higher libido and feel ‘pumped’ up) then I also have the drive to work out. Problem is on a ‘down’ day the opposite is true.
Generally though I am gradually winning - Now have 50% good days, compared to 10% a year ago.
Has weight gain been an issue for some? I’ve been the opposite. I’ve been loosing weight since stopping - 25lbs over a year. Most of it in the first 6 months. I don’t thing I have much fat left in my mid-section at all. Kinda scary actually. I’ve tried increasing my food intake but it has no effect. Any others loosing weight?
RK,
I shed the extra 10-15 lbs I gained while on Fin over the past 18 months, but beside that I have also lost muscle mass.
Even when I quit weight training for 3 years (before fin), I still retained my general size and definition.
After taking fin, my arms are skinnier than they’ve ever been. I attribute this to a drop in my T levels and hence, muscle wastage. I’ve also still got the pseudo-gyno I gained while on fin.