[rarec]

Low testosterone has deleterious effects for men [1]. For women, offhand I don't believe having "low" testosterone is as big of a deal, but that may be because the range from high to low is greater for a man than a woman and due to the lack of focus on studying it in particular with women.

[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/side-effects-of-low-testos...

[mirimir]

I was diagnosed with low testosterone about ten years ago. Since using supplements, several issues have resolved: 1) I've stopped losing muscle mass, and exercise builds muscle, instead of causing inflammation and tendonitis; 2) I'm no longer prediabetic; 3) I've lost weight, even with more muscle, and that seems self-reinforcing; 4) I have much less acne, especially cystic acne; 5) my hair is darker, but maybe pattern baldness has worsened; and 6) focus and mood stability have improved, although modafinil may account for that.

[rgrieselhuber]

What supplements did you use?

[mirimir]

I prefer transdermal testosterone. I think that daily dosing better emulates the natural rhythm. Also, I don't want to deal with injections and/or physician visits. My favorite is Androgel. Testim and generics suck, because they leave a sticky film. Custom compounded creams are also good, and they generally cost less. I apply to my lower legs, so I can hug women and children without fear of poisoning them.

[owlmirror]

How does androgel affect your natural production of testosterone? What I mean is, can you safely stop using and your body keeps producing testosterone on your own? Since this is a major issue with enhancing yourself, which effectively stops your natural testosterone production and as far as I understand does so irreversibly or at least for a long time. So my question is, is that only a matter of quantity or does that happen with low quantities such as antihero as well?

[mirimir]

I have no clue. I'm expecting to use supplements for the rest of my life.

Also, I'm supplementing to levels normal for young men. And young, I am not. So there's zero chance that I'd have adequate testosterone now, even if I'd never used a supplement, or had some disorder that reduced testosterone production.

I am aware of increased health risks. Especially for testosterone-dependent tumors, such as prostate cancer. So I get screened frequently. Also cardiovascular stuff.