Why wont "normal" people listen about TRT, HRT, Anti Aging????? Drives me nuts!!!

[forrest_and_trees]

Both in my career and in my personal life, I've been told many times I'm very good at explaining difficult, or complicated ideas, in a way that anyone can easily understand; but when it comes to TRT, HRT or Anti Aging, it's like people think I'm full of sh!t, or pulling it out of my a$$ or just plain delusional or something. It drives me freakin nuts!

If you've been dealing with HRT for a while, then I'm sure you've seen or talked to people and you can almost tell it's likely they have elevated E2, or Low T, or low thyroid function, etc.

Or when it comes to just plain getting older, 40s - 50s, and you try to tell them how HRT has worked for you and it wouldn't hurt to get "x" checked. But they just ***refuse*** to listen!!!

They complain about some of the very things we here have all dealt with, and you're living proof the s**t works, but they just don't take you seriously... Really???

Yes, I'm aware when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. But there *are* an awful lot a nails out there. What's the old saying? "If it looks like a duck... walks like a duck... and quacks like a duck..."?

Or forget trying to talk to people about *their* problems... How about just trying to explain to someone that it's worked for you?

Or if you're like me, on HRT for Low T & Hypothyroidism, short of taking HGH, it also happens to be pretty much the same treatment for AntiAging... [A nice bonus I think. Especially for those of us who've suffered for many years...] But they look at me like I just tried to tell them the moon is made of cheese! They think I'm crazy or full of it... "Anti Aging?? Yah right! Pfft... Whatever..."

So forget the AntiAging... [I usually avoid that one for the very reason...] I try offering facts, figures, my own lab work and medical reports if they really want to see it, but they won't even *hear it!*... It's like I'm making it all up or something... And these are NOT all slow witted, thick people; some are very intelligent and well educated. But it doesn't matter. As soon as you start, even if it's 100% relevant to the conversation *they* started, they just won't have it.

I've encountered this since I first learned about TRT and it frustrates the hell out of me.

I don't like watching the people I care about suffer the same things I did, yet refuse to listen when I offer solutions... And these are people who've seen my own transformation.

I'm in my late 40's; 7 years ago, I *seriously* didn't think I'd live to see 45... I'm stronger than ever, I've lost 200lbs, I ride my bicycle 75-100 miles a week... [I rode my first 50 mile ride ever, 2 days after my 47th birthday...] and I swear to GOD almighty.. I feel like I did in my 20s! Better even! What better proof that this stuff really works could they possibly want???!!!

Just this afternoon, I got into an argument with a friend who tried to tell me I'm dead wrong about all this... Because *he* has a degree in nutrition. That it's, "no different than a woman injecting something in her face to try and hide the wrinkles..." Or that somehow, because you're living your life well, and God forbid... improving yourself... it's an affront to them. I don't rub it in their faces that I now can do what they no longer can, if anything, I play it down. But somehow, just living my life, getting healthy my way, is bad for them.

He tried to tell me that my metabolism can't possibly be what it was in my 20s [even though my lab work from two weeks ago says otherwise] and that I don't know what I'm talking about, because he has a degree is nutrition. "Just wait, you'll see, things will change, you can't keep it up forever..." It's like they can't wait for you to fall on your face! ...I even offered to show him the lab work and he refused to listen... I asked if he knew what T3 and T4 were or what were optimal numbers and what it meant...

I repeatedly asked him to provide me with some facts to consider his point and he just said he's right, and that I'm a bad friend because I won't take him on his word... WTF people??!!

The worst of it is, he's not the only one. It happens all too often.

Please tell me... Is it me? Am I just completely out of touch or do any of you ever experience this?

[kelkel]

Fortunately it's not you (this time) Forrest! Way too many people have been inundated with old school dogma about how testosterone et al is bad for you. Then of course a couple poorly designed (and subsequently debunked) studies come out about the excessive risks of TRT and the media jumps all over it. They never do positive articles about the benefits of it as that just isn't news "to them." I've had countless conversations with people about the benefits of TRT and many seem to think it's makes them less of a man for some idiotic reason. We all know it's just the opposite. They always say something to the effect of "I'm not putting that stuff in my body," etc. Then I always inform them that injectable testosterone is the exact same thing as their body produces and wouldn't it be nice to have the same levels you did as a twenty something? And you're on point, they never have facts like we do, just hearsay.

Our parents generation did not have the ability to really explore TRT and reap the benefits of it. They had to suffer the debilitating consequences of low T as they aged. I would have really loved to go back in time and help my dad out. We are extremely fortunate to be alive right now and have forums such as this which give us the ability to share our knowledge and interact with others seeking help in their time of need.

One hell of a transformation you went through Forrest. I'd love to see some before and after pics. PM me is you don't want to post them if you'd like.

[Simon1972]

had a converstaion just today- lady is 57 and suffering menopause, but she goes to a homeopath and takes the tablets they give her, drives me completely nuts!!

they put their health in the hands of some nut job with no medical experience, a dr with no interest of understanding of hormones- but are never prepared to consider testosterone /hormone therapy.

the argument i use is this.

hormone therapy works, read the suzanne summers books ( shes an amazing advocate for hrt) - my wife just started reading the books.

and then i tell them- pharmacutical companies make this medicine! its made because it works-its found in pharmacies because its LEGAL!

and i try to get their perceptions and clouded judgement about steroids out of the sports sphere and back where it belongs.

most of the time i fail, but i cant help trying to help people i know, thats the reason we all maintain our aliass on these forums to help those that are prepared to listen and take the time to become members.

it feels like im trying to convince adults that santa claus isnt real- on a positive note- its taken me 3 years to convince my wife to start down the hrt road- she'seen how much my body has changed in just 5 months of trt and is now booked into see my dr. so thats all that matters to me.

[APIs]

"It's like they can't wait for you to fall on your face!"

You said it right there my friend. Human nature. People hate what they cannot achieve themselves. Plus add-in all the negative press for TRT/Anti-aging and people automatically dismiss it as 'cheating.' Very few are willing to listen. Besides, let's face it, even fewer are willing to put in the hard-work needed anyway so what's the point of exposing ourselves like that?

That's why I don't discuss it with anyone. People can be rotten to the core with such personal info when it's freely handed to them.

Need-to-know basis only...

[kelkel]

Need-to-know basis only...

Probably the best course of action...

[hawk14dl]

My boss references trt all the damn time, when a radio ad comes on. it usually sparks a conversation, but his opinion is that men should just accept that they're old and lower test levels is a part of life.

He's 58. I'm 29. I'm on trt from an injury.
I haven't told him I'm on, because of his opinion about it. Even though I've worked with the guy for over 10 years, and I spend more time with him then my own family. . I just keep it to myself

[nyjetsfan]

Good thread. I've been on trt for over 7 years, found my sweet spot and have benefited. I don't tell anyone outside of my family cuz I've learned most ppl will just argue with you about it. I've learned to not talk about it for the sake of not losing my temper. Lots of opinions out there and BS info.

[Beethoven]

I just keep it to myself. Even though there are commercials after commercials all over the radio about the anti aging clinics. I have only shared this info with my immediate family and some close friends that I lift with.

[forrest_and_trees]

For the most part, these are family and close friends I'm referring to. But given my situation, things were *so* bad, I had to put my whole life, including my career aside, while I focused solely on my health.

As a result, anytime I meet someone, the inevitable question always comes up... "What do you do?" Or if it's someone I know, but haven't seen in a while, they always ask, "Are you working?" It's difficult to answer those questions without having to explain what I'm doing and why it's so vitally important.

And all too often, rather than acknowledge what I've accomplished, they focus on the fact that I'm not working or, "how did you even let it get that bad to begin with?" I swear I want to smack people who say that.

Before things began falling apart for me, I was more active and fit than most people I knew. And for the record, let me just say that I've made 6 figures in the past... You don't get to that level without working your ass off, so I'm not afraid of hard work. Yet people seem to think I'm just hiding out. Taking the easy route or "afraid" to get a job... I can also tell you this much, money isn't everything. And it's nothing if you don't have your health.

As for a the Testosterone Taboo... That surprisingly is not as focused on as I would have thought. More people seem to get hung up on the hypothyroidism or just HRT in general.

I have an old girlfriend who I've been friends with for nearly 20 years. She's now in her early 40's and experiencing all the *usual* issues, but refuses to accept *why*... She's broken down crying to me because of her depression, insomnia and lack of libido and weight gain, so I bought her the Susan Sommers book and she refuses to read it. Yet she reads 2- 3 books a week.

One of my oldest and closest friends is a Fitness Instructor who also holds black belts in multiple martial arts. The guy works at some pretty high end spas and hospitals with big name clients. He's even trained Maria Shriver when she was with Arnie and because of that, was referred to George W himself... The secret service checked him a out and everything.... even gave him a pager for the POTUS... So this guy is no dummy...

He's fully supportive of what I've done, but now he's in his early 50's and he's slowing down. He can't understand why he can no longer keep up with the 20 somethings in the martial art's classes anymore, or why he's wrecked for days afterwards... or keeps injuring himself. He's lost interest in the things he used to do and now he's dealing with depression. I suggested to him a couple of times to get his T levels checked, and that even if they're still in the, "normal" range that may not be normal for him. ...Yet he won't have anything to do with it either. So now he's on antidepressants and the last time I saw him, he looks like he's aged considerably. It's a shame.

Or how about my mother who stopped taking her estrogen, because some friend said it can cause breast cancer... It's been a downhill slide for her ever since... Yet she won't take me seriously when I try to explain the importance of getting back on it.

It's like being a survivor of the Titanic and floating safely in a lifeboat. There are bodies all around and people bobbing in the water are clamoring frantically to stay alive… So you offer a life line, but rather than accept it and climb aboard, they slap it away, tell you your wrong, that it can't possibly work. So you're left there alone in your boat, safe and sound, watching as the people you care about drown in slow motion.

Oh well... You can lead a horse to water...

KelKel... I plan to post a before and after at some point, but I'm still working on the after.

[kelkel]

KelKel... I plan to post a before and after at some point, but I'm still working on the after.

Look forward to it Forrest. It's sounds like you've already made a dramatic difference and it may very well inspire some others here.

[forrest_and_trees]

We are extremely fortunate to be alive right now and have forums such as this which give us the ability to share our knowledge and interact with others seeking help in their time of need.

I just wanted to acknowledge that you are absolutely correct! We *are* fortunate to have this forum to share knowledge.. I honestly believe it's saved my life. Thank you to all who participate... I share my own personal issues in the hopes that it may help someone else. Without each other, this site would be useless...

[Metalject]

If people hear a doctor say testosterone is bad, no matter what you say to them, no matter how accurate or truthful it may be, most people will not believe you. Why? Doctors have come to be viewed in modern society as the oracles of the past. And in some ways, it's easy to see why people put so much faith in any doctor without questioning anything. After all, the doctor did spend another 12 years of his life in school after he spent 12 years of his life in school. He is considered the expert. Why would you question the expert? Plus, by now everyone has read something online in some blog post or news feed that says testosterone is bad. You can find anything online now to support any idea or thought you have. For heavens sake, more people now believe in vampires and zombies than ever before because of the internet.

And if you really want to know why people won't believe you when you talk about HRT, remind yourself these are the same people that continue to elect the same politicians into office over and over again, even when such politicians lied to their face. Often this is due once again to the internet, and also mob thinking.

It took me nearly a decade to talk my own father into getting his testosterone levels checked. His doctor scoffed at the idea and just told him he was in good health. He never even looked at a single hormone level. But after a decade I finally talked him into it. He's been on treatment now for about 16 months and if you tried to take his testosterone he'd probably shoot you.

[lovbyts]

My boss references trt all the damn time, when a radio ad comes on. it usually sparks a conversation, but his opinion is that men should just accept that they're old and lower test levels is a part of life.

He's 58. I'm 29. I'm on trt from an injury.
I haven't told him I'm on, because of his opinion about it. Even though I've worked with the guy for over 10 years, and I spend more time with him then my own family. . I just keep it to myself

You know every time I hear people like this (often) I want to them them they need to get on the Carrousel. Reference to the movie Logans run.

I started a thread a few weeks ago about hard headed friends. He was one of those who said you just need to accept Low T as a part of life, until it happened it him.

It took me nearly a decade to talk my own father into getting his testosterone levels checked. His doctor scoffed at the idea and just told him he was in good health. He never even looked at a single hormone level. But after a decade I finally talked him into it. He's been on treatment now for about 16 months and if you tried to take his testosterone he'd probably shoot you.

Good for you and him. I wish I would have known about HRT when my dad was alive. Only problem is it probably would have caused him to divorce my mom. lol

[APIs]

It's like being a survivor of the Titanic and floating safely in a lifeboat. There are bodies all around and people bobbing in the water are clamoring frantically to stay alive… So you offer a life line, but rather than accept it and climb aboard, they slap it away, tell you your wrong, that it can't possibly work. So you're left there alone in your boat, safe and sound, watching as the people you care about drown in slow motion.

Great analogy. Been down this road myself with many people on other matters. Whether friend or family, all you can do sometimes is offer the advice & move on. It's then up-to them to take the action. Never let it affect your own journey...