TRT impact on cholesterol

[Crom]

Ive had "high" cholesterol for years even on test, ldl never budges below 177, usually a total of 240+, ive been told cholesterol numbers are a farce, especially if everything else is good, my urologist also has a clinic, and ive been going thru him for years, he laughs when i tell him others think my cholesterol is high... I cannot diet to get it down, if anyone has anything besides statins (blood clot first time taking crestor @ 5mlg.per day for 2 weeks) id be open to discuss diet and supps ro help lower it, im all ears, hell ill try dieting to the extreme if thats what it takes

Lowest I've been is around 170. I was able it to 170 with keto, cardio out the ass. I was 159 pounds and miserable.

 

[Gadawg]

There is an extraordinary amount of debate about whether cholesterol numbers matter. To say that there isnt is ridiculous. The studies on people doing the carnivore diet are a great example. These people show extremely high cholesterol numbers yet all their other cardiac predictors improve. Calcium score being probably the most significant.

For years medicine has been screwed up by a few horribly corrupt studies that vilified saturated fats. Sadly this continues to pervade the science. Ive spoken to many doctors over the years that no longer put much emphasis on those numbers anymore. Particularly for people who lack a strong family history of heart disease.

 

[Crom]

I understand him being concerned with your cholesterol, especially if there is personal or family history of cardiac issues. What has your diet been like while in trt? There is some research out there saying diet is not everything when it comes to cholesterol numbers but it does play a big role.

Do you take anything for your cholesterol, otc or prescription?

I agree with Send0 about splitting the your dose.

Well my numbers were not good before TRT around 240. I don't take anything for cholesterol. The past year I've been trying to gain weight. So I started eating a lot, but not entirely bad. My diet is mostly clean and I mean that. I have no reason to BS. I do eat the occasional muffin, fast food cheat meal etc. Even now for breakfast I'm having oatmeal and eggs. I take Krill oil, beef rice, chicken and rice. I add blue berries and apples to my protein shakes. My sleep has been pretty decent.

Well shit! I'm all paranoid now. Send0 has me thinking I'm a walking heart attack . LOL.

 

[Crom]

There is an extraordinary amount of debate about whether cholesterol numbers matter. To say that there isnt is ridiculous. The studies on people doing the carnivore diet are a great example. These people show extremely high cholesterol numbers yet all their other cardiac predictors improve. Calcium score being probably the most significant.

For years medicine has been screwed up by a few horribly corrupt studies that vilified saturated fats. Sadly this continues to pervade the science. Ive spoken to many doctors over the years that no longer put much emphasis on those numbers anymore. Particularly for people who lack a strong family history of heart disease.

Well, my TRT doctor is a freak about Cholesterol. It's his bread and butter. Lowest total I've got is around 170. That's with insane cardio a weight of 159 pounds, keto and OMAD.

 

[CJ]

Well my numbers were not good before TRT around 240.

So your cholesterol is LOWER now that you're on TRT, do I have that right?

Point that out to your Dr, maybe he'll relax a little bit.

 

[Crom]

So your cholesterol is LOWER now that you're on TRT, do I have that right?

Point that out to your Dr, maybe he'll relax a little bit.

Yea it is a bit lower. I feel like my October results were some of the best numbers I've seen without completely starving myself.

 

[CJ]

Yea it is a bit lower. I feel like my October results were some of the best numbers I've seen without completely starving myself.

Those numbers are just a snapshot in time. Plot them out on a graph to see if any trends, get a mean, median, and mode. Be armed with info for your Dr.

 

[Crom]

Those numbers are just a snapshot in time. Plot them out on a graph to see if any trends, get a mean, median, and mode. Be armed with info for your Dr.

Will do! I was going to bring my last three or four test in.

 

[CJ]

Will do! I was going to bring my last three or four test in.

Sometimes it's like they have no idea of your history, only look at recent test only. They must be too busy.

Every year I go through it with my Dr. My AST and ALT are always a few points out of range. Been that way for 15+ years, even long before TRT or cycles.

Every year I go through the speech with him, I have to remind him that I saw a specialist about it, had blood tests every month for God knows how long, have always about the same results.

My baseline numbers are just higher than most, probably due to strenuous exercise.

 

[Send0]

Okay, here's what I recommend... using the KISS approach, I think these items have the most bang for the buck. To be honest, I don't care about total cholesterol as much as I care about LDL:HDL ratio.

1. Go back to 100mg 2x a week, and confirm it drops your LDL and that your HDL remains above 40. If it does then you will have been right that the higher test is more beneficial for you. Its too late for you to do this now, but you could do this on your own and then show the doctor again. To be clear, this is a crutch and not a real solution... but who's to say this isn't a tool you can combine with other things to help get your cholesterol in check.

2. You said you can get your total cholesterol down to 170 if you do sprints. Below 200 is ideal for someone who hasn't had coronary problems yet. So if that's the case then start exercising that heart again.

3. Add fish oil... I take 15g twice a day. I use cod liver oil because it would take forever to swallow that man pills.

4. Your liver is borderline... well maybe not quite, but it's definitely taxed a bit. Start taking low dose TUDCA daily... let's say 200 -400 mg.

5. Also start taking NAC at 500 - 1000mg a day. These are starting points. If you can add burgamot then that would be good too. These supplements are not too expensive compared to the others I listed.

I do a these things... and I have numbers from before I started doing all this. My cholesterol numbers weren't close to yours... but I was able to reduce both my LDL and Triglycerides from being just over 100, to about 45-50 a piece. If you could get a similar 50 point drop, then I think that would be an excellent place for you considering your naturally high cholesterol.

 

[Crom]

Okay, here's what I recommend... using the KISS approach, I think these items have the most bang for the buck. To be honest, I don't care about total cholesterol as much as I care about LDL:HDL ratio.

1. Go back to 100mg 2x a week, and confirm it drops your LDL and that your HDL remains above 40. If it does then you will have been right that the higher test is more beneficial for you. Its too late for you to do this now, but you could do this on your own and then show the doctor again. To be clear, this is a crutch and not a real solution... but who's to say this isn't a tool you can combine with other things to help get your cholesterol in check.

2. You said you can get your total cholesterol down to 170 if you do sprints. Below 200 is ideal for someone who hasn't had coronary problems yet. So if that's the case then start exercising that heart again.

3. Add fish oil... I take 15g twice a day. I use cod liver oil because it would take forever to swallow that man pills.

4. Your liver is borderline... well maybe not quite, but it's definitely taxed a bit. Start taking low dose TUDCA daily... let's say 200 -400 mg.

5. Also start taking NAC at 500 - 1000mg a day. These are starting points. If you can add burgamot then that would be good too. These supplements are not too expensive compared to the others I listed.

I do a these things... and I have numbers from before I started doing all this. My cholesterol numbers weren't close to yours... but I was able to reduce both my LDL and Triglycerides from being just over 100, to about 45-50 a piece. If you could get a similar 50 point drop, then I think that would be an excellent place for you considering your naturally high cholesterol.

Just want to thank you for investing so much of your time into this thread. Also want to thank mystery moderator who changed my post title to something a bit more mature.

I'll follow what you laid out here. I ran out of NAC about three months ago. I'll pick up some TUDCA with it. Having shitty bloodwork frustrates me. I'm not a fast-food, sweets or soda drinker. I cheat, but damn. I know fatties with better labs than me.

I'm going to try and hold my ground with my doc. It can be hard though. He's like 6'3 and sauced out of his tree. He makes me look like a 3rd grader.

Thanks again! I'll update after my appointment.

 

[Send0]

To be clear, I want you to follow any path that will lead to your success in all aspects of your health.

As much as I talked up lowering your test, don't hesitate to do item #1 that I listed. Just because I have a certain perspective on things, that doesn't mean it's necessarily right for you. At a minimum, if your cholesterol for the upcoming blood work on 160mg/week of Testosterone comes back borderline or questionable... then definitely push the fact with your doctor that your LDL cholesterol numbers were better at the higher dose of Test.

I think a lot of doctors hesitate because lots of people are looking for that magic bullet. It sounds like you actually have a good relationship with your doctor. Maybe your doctor will be more receptive if you can show that you've really looked into this, and have actually put forth significant effort to improve this outside of medication.

Anyway, good luck man... and I'm happy to discuss your bloodwork, or anything really, anytime you want. :32 (1):

 

[Send0]

Also, if it won't break your wallet then I really stress adding in the bergamot. It does a pretty good job of lowering LDL... even though it doesn't do much for HDL. This is okay since it's LDL that is your issue more than anything else.

If you want to have a decent jump in HDL, then you can add in Cardarine. I personally think the risk profile is low based on the flawed studies that are out there, and as long as the dose is kept moderate and cycled.... but I know everyone here doesn't feel the same, and some believe the risk of cancer is real.

Truthfully speaking, no one actually knows if cardarine is bad/risky in the way we would use it. I recommend you research this on your own, and decide if it's something you're interested in trying.

 

[Crom]

Also, if it won't break your wallet then I really stress adding in the bergamot. It does a pretty good job of lowering LDL... even though it doesn't do much for HDL. This is okay since it's LDL that is your issue more than anything else.

If you want to have a decent jump in HDL, then you can add in Cardarine. I personally think the risk profile is low based on the flawed studies that are out there, and as long as the dose is kept moderate and cycled.... but I know everyone here doesn't feel the same, and some believe the risk of cancer is real.

Truthfully speaking, no one actually knows if cardarine is bad/risky in the way we would use it. I recommend you research this on your own, and decide if it's something you're interested in trying.

Thanks. I'll look into bergamot as well. I've head of Cardarine, It's a SARM right? We had a guy locally that sold Sarms right out of his supplement shop here in Florida. He stopped selling recently as they are now 100% banned here. I wouldn't even know where to get Cardarine to try it out. You guy's really know your shit. You have medical experience or just an area of interest for you?

I'm going to have to start studying up.

 

[Send0]

Thanks. I'll look into bergamot as well. I've head of Cardarine, It's a SARM right? We had a guy locally that sold Sarms right out of his supplement shop here in Florida. He stopped selling recently as they are now 100% banned here. I wouldn't even know where to get Cardarine to try it out. You guy's really know your shit. You have medical experience or just an area of interest for you?

I'm going to have to start studying up.

Technically cardarine is a PPAR agonist. Right now it's not at risk for being banned with the other SARMS. All of the peptide websites sell cardarine.

I actually do have some medical and biology background, but it's not what I do for my career. Honestly, I'm just a nerd who is fascinated with the human body, pharmacology and the pharmacokinetics. I do have a lot of knowledge, but it's something anyone is capable of picking up once they learn how to read and understand published research papers and studies... especially understanding the methods, assays, etc.

I am also not afraid to experiment on myself; which I then combine my anecdotal experience with the research/study data to determine if there's a real value and efficacy for our purposes.

Don't confuse any of this to mean I'm intelligent. I am one of the stupidest nerds you will ever meet. :32 (20):

 

[Crom]

Technically cardarine is a PPAR agonist. Right now it's not at risk for being banned with the other SARMS. All of the peptide websites sell cardarine.

I actually do have some medical and biology background, but it's not what I do for my career. Honestly, I'm just a nerd who is fascinated with the human body, pharmacology and the pharmacokinetics. I do have a lot of knowledge, but it's something anyone is capable of picking up once they learn how to read and understand published research papers and studies... especially understanding the methods, assays, etc.

I am also not afraid to experiment on myself; which I then combine my anecdotal experience with the research/study data to determine if there's a real value and efficacy for our purposes.

Don't confuse any of this to mean I'm intelligent. I am one of the stupidest nerds you will ever meet. :32 (20):

Met with my doc. He says I'm an enigma. All my other markers look great, just the bad cholesterol is a bit high. Basically said we've been together awhile. I trust you do what you think feels best for your body, but have your numbers in check before next labs. To think I was even sweating it at all. I get labs every six months.

He also gave me some free samples of dissolvable Cialis, and a single 10 mg dose of PT-141 (BREMELANOTIDE)

I think he was on blast my last visit. He has significantly downsized some and was nowhere near as agitated.

 

[Send0]

Met with my doc. He says I'm an enigma. All my other markers look great, just the bad cholesterol is a bit high. Basically said we've been together awhile. I trust you do what you think feels best for your body, but have your numbers in check before next labs. To think I was even sweating it at all. I get labs every six months.

He also gave me some free samples of dissolvable Cialis, and a single 10 mg dose of PT-141 (BREMELANOTIDE)

I think he was on blast my last visit. He has significantly downsized some and was nowhere near as agitated.

Glad to hear he has calmed the f down. LOL, sure does make your life a bit easier for the time being.

Also, 10mg of pt-141 isn't a single dose. Maybe that was just hastily written, and you meant he gave you a single vial. I guarantee anyone who takes a full 10mg dose of pt-141 is going to have a really bad time. :32 (18):

If you plan to use it, start with 1mg and wait 4-6 hours. If you get no effect then try again 2 day later at 1.25mg or 1.5 mg. Continue to titrate up until you find the desired effect.

 

[j2048b]

Lowest I've been is around 170. I was able it to 170 with keto, cardio out the ass. I was 159 pounds and miserable.

yuppers.... as long as all other blood markers are good, im good, i cannot take a statin.....i need to find something tho cause i dont want to stroke out or have a heart attack as this shit is all in my blood line...

 

[Crom]

Glad to hear he has calmed the f down. LOL, sure does make your life a bit easier for the time being.

Also, 10mg of pt-141 isn't a single dose. Maybe that was just hastily written, and you meant he gave you a single vial. I guarantee anyone who takes a full 10mg dose of pt-141 is going to have a really bad time. :32 (18):

If you plan to use it, start with 1mg and wait 4-6 hours. If you get no effect then try again 2 day later at 1.25mg or 1.5 mg. Continue to titrate up until you find the desired effect.

Just checked the print out. Says 10mg. But they gave it to me in an insulin syringe 1/2 inch. So prolly a typo on their part. I never heard of this stuff before. My trt doc seems real into it.

 

[Crom]

yuppers.... as long as all other blood markers are good, im good, i cannot take a statin.....i need to find something tho cause i dont want to stroke out or have a heart attack as this shit is all in my blood line...

Does cardio help your numbers?