I went in to see my PCP and talk about the VSG with them. As soon as I mentioned it, they wanted to run blood work to make sure everything was good. The results came back and he said my testosterone level was way under where it should be for a 24 yr old. Something like a 170. He then started talking about metabolic disorders and I kinda went blank. I had just got up the nerve to talk about VSG and now I have disorders!

I am scheduled to see an endocrinologist next week.

After doing some research online, a lot of the side effects make sense. So my questions are; has anyone had the same issue? Do the side effects get better with medicine? Will I have to have injections? Is there anything I should ask the endocrinologist? Could this have contributed to my size?

My brother found out he had low testosterone. They offered him a cream that he could use on his upper arm or injections. He opted for the injections because the testosterone in the cream is dangerous for his wife and daughters if they come in contact with it. I know he has more energy and is sleeping better. He also has been doing some strength training and has noticed that he is building more muscle since taking the injections. Good luck to ya and try not to worry too much about it.

Actually, testerone is typically given in a gel too. There are injectables and creams. It is extremely important to follow up on the low testerone because it has a lot to do with your sex drive also. CONGRATS! This shouldn't interfere with your VSG either.

I have it too. Started out years ago and now with 170 pounds off I am currently taking 1/8 the amount I started out with. Same hormones and less body mass equals more hormones per pound. My low was 124, which is less than a lot of WOMEN have - yes ladies you have some of the big T too, just as men have some of the big E in them.

I agree with the SweetP's brother, while the injections are a pain (literally) they are not THAT bad and the are less risky to those around you as the cream would be. One side effect I HATE is the hair, I had little chest hair now I have loads, and hair all over the place as well, ears, nose you name it, it sprouts hair now

In overweight individuals testosterone is converted into estrogen. Your testosterone is low because it's being converted to estrogen. You should have had an estrogen test done as well. I inject myself at home with testosterone. A normal testosterone level for someone your age is probably around 800. You should ask the doctor about putting you on Arimidex as well which is used in women to treat breasts cancer. It't an aromotase inhbitor and stops the conversion from testosterone to estrogen. Don't do testosterone therapy without Arimidex. Some doctors don't know. I take that as well. My numbers are now perfect. You should also ask about taking a DHEA supplement if your blood work indicates the need. The injections can be daunting at first but it beats the gel. The needle is 22g thick and 1.5" long. But if you jam it into your thigh really fast it's painless. I inject once a week.

The metabolic disorder he was talking about is linked to diabetes.

As always, correct the Low T then as your sleeve does it's work monitor the levels of the T & E and work your way off the T if possible. YOU WILL FEEL BETTER once you get the level up! Also look into the ventro gluteal injection site. the safest and least pain spot to get injections.

Just wanted to mention that one year ago, June 2011 I had blood work done. Besides all the other issues my testosterone level was around 200 which was low. I am 44 years old. I had the sleeve on April 9 and I weighed 307 pounds. Now two months later I weigh 242, and I had blood work done two weeks ago and my testosterone was in the 700 range. This is without any supplemental testosterone. Just wanted to let people know that it sure seems that weight loss will help increase your levels.

Tony

Yep Fat is a man killer in more ways than one!

At 50 I had a testosterone level of about 100, it should be 450 for my age or even higher. I started the shots and really did feel better and lost weight. Both because I felt better and was more active and because I think my metabolism was simply working at a higher pace. After a few months I had a huge spike in my PSA and had to go to the urologist "just to be safe." Well, that did not work out as planned. I had early Prostate cancer. That meant stopping the shots as they can be an antagonist for PC. I started gaining weight even faster. That is when I decided to check into the sleeve.

You have to give the T shots a chance. They really did do a noticibale improvement for me, before I had to stop. I was on shots 1x every 2 weeks for about 3 months. I noticed the difference and so did my wife. Testosterone seems to affect many life functions and body systems. It really made a positive impact for me.