Good read. I wonder what I would do if a doctor suggested that I shoot-up T? We are entering an era when there will be more and more options to extend our lives via supplementation. I feel fortunate to be married to a physician that can help steer me in the right direction regarding such things.
What gives me pause is the amount of opportunity for profit with these products. Given their presence, how can one know for sure what a healthy testosterone level really is? I'm sure that low testosterone is a real thing that people suffer from, but I wouldn't be surprised if these treatments become too common too quickly. I've read other things suggesting that testosterone levels worldwide are down and have been steadily decreasing for decades, likely due to the prevalence of plastics and other man-made things introduced into the environment and most importantly, our food. I'm not entirely sure of how well-informed or unbiased the things I've read on the subject are though. Anyway, while people say that they are interested in longer lifespans, it really seems like they're interested in a prolonged prime of life, which of course means maintaining healthy levels of hormones. I know that I don't want to live forever as an old dude, especially in a dominant culture that frowns on inter-generational relationships (which I don't get, honestly).
Man, sometimes I think I could use a drop in libido. Maybe it would let me focus on my career a bit more, like Costanza in that Seinfeld episode. So far, young as they are, my thirties haven't slowed me down at all compared to my teens or twenties. If I could get out of the gym and out of the bedroom I would literally save hours per week of precious time.
I'm 36 and feel the same way. -not the gym though but I do exercise a good bit. I think if that went away I'd miss it. I think it's the same type of energy, sexual and physical that helps me be productive. Maybe they can't exist without one another. No sex drive = planting your butt on your chair, watching baseball and drinking Wild Turkey, resting your face on your cane. -Actually, it doesn't sound half bad :)
Sarcasm aside, this is why narcissism is not always a bad thing. Deeply caring about the way you look provides excellent drive. As long as it's directed towards healthy methods of physical "improvement," you're going to be hard put for better sources of inspiration/motivation when it comes to exercise, eating right, self-preservation, etc. Oh, sure, you could say longevity, but we respond to what's right in front of us. I exercise and eat well because I want to look good today and better tomorrow. Long-term quality of life? That's icing. Or sprinkles. Or when you eat the cake and beneath that, there's more cake.
I am saying that at $100 a week and a 3-hour, comprehensive physical which seems intent on treating any and all possible irregularities in the author's system, even if they may not result in significant physical effects, it's not that you seem cheap but that the author appears to value his health more than the average person - or rather, more than the average person can afford to. I read this article and it struck me that it seemed like a perfect example of a white, privileged, upper-class male problem. That does not mean it's not interesting or valid - I read the whole article, and I'm sure low T is something people of such a status think and worry about. It struck me that the author was willing to put a very high price tag on his health. Low T isn't even a life threatening problem and he is spending $400 a month on it. I don't think you're cheap, tng, I think you have a kid and another on the way and that $400 a month is an awful lot of money to spend on anything. Would you rather up your libido and shift your body composition to be slightly more muscular, or put money in your kid's college fund? Of course, health should be the most important thing. The author clearly cares a lot about longevity and a good life. But I don't think T will help him avoid ending up old, wrinkled, decrepit, and looking forward to his baseball game and shot of whiskey once a week, not in the long run. This article made me wonder, essentially, "At what price health?" How much money would I be willing to spend on what seems like relatively small problems and fixes? I don't see anyone making medicine that prevents women from going into menopause (or maybe I'm ignorant I honestly don't know, I know there's hormone therapy and stuff but I thought that basically alleviated some of the worse symptoms, as opposed to preventing or counteracting menopause). If I had life-threatening cancer $100 a week for treatment would be no question. But a slightly-fatter belly and less energy? That seems like a steep price.
Expenses are relative, I would look at it in opportunity costs, what's more important my health or a car payment? I'll take health. The symptoms of low testosterone are insomnia, low libido, depression and increased risk of heart failure. I'd gladly pay $400 a month to avoid that.
You could always give this a shot in one of those countries that does medical tourism. Thailand has some excellent hospitals that serve a lot of medical tourists (who tend to get things done like Lasik and cosmetic procedures), that I bet would do this for pretty cheap. Of course, getting there isn't exactly inexpensive, but it's an option.
It's at this point that I feel the need to clearly state that I'm in no danger of needing this any time soon :) Though Thailand would be wonderful for regular tourism, medicine aside.
Just sayin'. I was thinking of getting my vision corrected a few years back, but between the cost and the recovery period, given my professional life at the time I decided against it. I still kind of think I should have done it though. Thailand is a lot more family friendly than many young tourists want others to believe.