Associate Member
My grandfather is 84 years old, 6'-2" and 185lbs
He weighed 193 last year.
He works 30-35 hours a week at our family business and his mind is sharp as a tack.
He recently has started dragging his feet when he walks I fear a fall will be the beginning of a downward health spiral for him.
I want to push him to an androgel product but know he will be a tough sell, likely along with his current doc.
Would I be right in trying to sell him on this?
Member
Yes.
Take him to a doctor to be evaluated.
HRT Specialist ~ AR-Platinum Elite-Hall of Famer ~ No Source Checks
Agree. Educate him on the benefits of it all. Probably do great on gel or pellets....Originally Posted by OingoBoingo
-*- NO SOURCE CHECKS -*-
Anabolic Member
Old folks can be real stubborn.
My dad is late 70's. I'm 52. He comments on my physique, and how healthy I look. He knows about the TRT. He knows this is a significant contributor to my health strategy. BUT....
.....he dismisses me when I try to sell him on the idea. One time it is the fear of needles. Another time he tells me he just wants to be happy and pain free.
The older generation really doesn't get the anti aging movement. My dad feels like he has lived his life expectancy and is g2g.
Good luck!
If you find something that works on your grandfather, let me know as I'd like to try it on my dad.
AR-Hall of Famer
Just let him be.
There is a reason we're hearing about all these cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events happening with TRT. People who are too old or in poor health don't do well with a surge of testosterone, as the added strain (increased blood pressure, H&H, clotting factors, libido, energy, and immune changes) is dangerous in the short term. It would be good in the long term, but at 84 I don't think he can afford to figure out what works for him through trial and error like somebody young and healthy.
If he isn't 100% on board with a doc who really knows what he's doing, the risks outweigh the benefits.
Last edited by Bonaparte; 08-17-2014 at 12:01 AM.
Anabolic Member
agree.
and poor grandma. all of a sudden grandpa gets a huge boost in the libido department, and grandma will never know what hit her.
I have a theory about sudden life changes in advanced years. Grandma smoked heavy for 50 years, pall mall red, non filter, 2 packs a day. she quit when she retired. died a year and a half later at 67.
I have a theory that sudden changes to old folk can do more harm than good.
smokers should probably taper down their tobacco use instead of cold turkey
heavy drinkers need to figure something out too.
I've known and heard about too many oldsters that fail after trying to improve their health suddenly after years of abuse/neglect.
Associate Member
Good advice guys, I agree with all of it.
Trt has made such an amazing change in my life I feel horrible not making others aware if it!
Banned
I've said this before on another post but i feel the need to repeat it. If there are ANY cardiovascular problems or concerns whatsoever androgel could actually be a detriment to his health.
Associate Member
Thank you for repeating. He has never had a heart attack or heart related issues.
I believe it's common for elderly to have a weak heart causing circulation problems in feet, etc... Thought maybe trt could help battle that???
Banned
While androgel might be able to combat some of the declination of his physical attributes effectively, the risks far outweigh the rewards. There have been countless lawsuits in the past 6-8 months against androgel distributors because patients have reported having cardiovascular problems ranging from extreme chest pressure, to heart attacks. Keep in mind these patients were also younger than 84.
These concerns paved way for plenty of testing and curiosity about the issues. They've come up with the conclusion that you are more than 2x more likely to have heart problems in the NEAR future. The FDA is further investigating the product and hasn't made a determination yet. But it's probable, that without any ingredient modifications to the androgel on the market today that it will eventually come off of the shelves.
If i were you, i would hold off until the near future when it is deemed safe. Just my 2 cents.
Knowledgeable Member
Best and correct answer. At 84 years of age, the risks would likely be far greater than any potential benefits.
Testosterone isn't the magic pill it is perceived to be. It's use even for TRT remains hotly debated among the medical community which is largely polarized regarding benefits and risks.
Junior Member
No Doctor on Earth is going to prescribe your Dad testosterone if there's a chance something is going to go drastically wrong and he has to explain his actions in Court. My Mom is 92, she got iron infusions that really helped her out. You have to rule out any root problems before you go fixing what ain't broke. If you can, get a Specialist Type Doc that's had eight years of Med School, rather than four. When my Grandfather was 94, he was bumming Camels in the Nursing Home. Learn to count your blessings.
Junior Member
What age is the cutoff where TRT goes from good (for men with low T) to bad?
My advice for an 84 year old would be the same as I'd give for any adult man: only if there's something wrong with him that causes markedly low T, and can't be fixed by some other means.
Banned
I can't see how the rewards would outweigh the risks with anyone over 70.
AR-Hall of Famer
Yeah, 70 is the cutoff I would give most guys.
Member
70 to start trt or no more trt after 70?
AR-Hall of Famer
The former. Once you have everything dialed in and are leaner and more active, there is no reason to stop.
And 70 is just a ballpark number I'd give, since that's generally when men experience a marked rapid decline in health and vitality.
Junior Member
What risks are there that are acceptable at 69 but bad at 70? We're talking TRT here, not cycles. Bringing abnomally low testosterone up to normal. I've read plenty of studies on older men that tout the benefits. The drawbacks were small and not much different from younger men.
Knowledgeable Member
Correct range. We've started men as late as 75 but those were far fewer cases and in all cases, those men were in very good shape for their age with no Hx of cardiac, hematological, or kidney disorders. Most of the older guys coming in for their first assessments are often 40-55. The cases drop off after 60 years of age.
Your body really wasn't meant to produce high levels of testosterone forever. TRT is a great therapeutic tool when used judiciously but there comes a time/age when starting TRT would carry more risks than benefits even in someone who looks relatively healthy. Many of the clinics I know or have sat on their Boards will usually not prescribe many new TRT therapies to anyone in the medicare population (65 and above) except in more severe cases and only when other health concerns are carefully considered.
Anabolic Member
Just because YOU are a believer, probably not a good idea to become a missionary and force the natives to convert.
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