Know Yourself

**Beethoven** · 07-05-2016, 06:50 PM

What's up guys, been a while. A little background for those who don't know me. Been on trt for about three years now and have done well. Got a bit lazy and got out of shape, fat and all around lazy. So I go for a check up, go to a cardiologist for a check up since heart disease runs in one side of the family. The Cardiologist says I'm having ventricular tachycardia and I have to go on beta blockers. I freak out and reluctantly start taking them. It doesn't go well. So me being pretty analytical start analyzing the situation and, among other things I had let my hematocrit run up to 53. The Cardiologist never once sat down and tried to find the cause. Most Drs are very factory like like these days and it's just run to the drug store and medicate. Fast forward about a month later, 25 lbs down so far and ticker is fine. No episodes whatsoever. Bottom line is you have to know yourself, educate yourself and stay on top of your medical and trt history. Trt is a life changer but can present problems if left un checked. My only hope in writing this is to maybe help someone else.

**kelkel** · 07-05-2016, 09:20 PM

Good to see you Beethoven and I'm glad you got back on the correct path! My question is this, do you consider the root of the problem more hematocrit or body weight related? I ask as excess body weight by itself can result in arrhythmias.

**IncreaseMyT** · 07-05-2016, 09:30 PM

Sorry to hear and hope for a speedy recovery for you.

Have you ever cycled steroids or just strictly TRT?

**Mr.BB** · 07-06-2016, 04:32 AM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

What's up guys, been a while. A little background for those who don't know me. Been on trt for about three years now and have done well. Got a bit lazy and got out of shape, fat and all around lazy. So I go for a check up, go to a cardiologist for a check up since heart disease runs in one side of the family. The Cardiologist says I'm having ventricular tachycardia and I have to go on beta blockers. I freak out and reluctantly start taking them. It doesn't go well. So me being pretty analytical start analyzing the situation and, among other things I had let my hematocrit run up to 53. The Cardiologist never once sat down and tried to find the cause. Most Drs are very factory like like these days and it's just run to the drug store and medicate. Fast forward about a month later, 25 lbs down so far and ticker is fine. No episodes whatsoever. Bottom line is you have to know yourself, educate yourself and stay on top of your medical and trt history. Trt is a life changer but can present problems if left un checked. My only hope in writing this is to maybe help someone else.

Welcome back

Congratz on the weight loss and for taking "charge of things"!

Agree with you that many (not all) doctors are considering health care as a business, and unfortunately that means treating symptoms instead of curing the disease. The money is in long term treatments instead of the cure.

**Beethoven** · 07-06-2016, 04:35 AM

Hey Kel, glad to be back! It was a combination of things but mostly hematocrit. As soon as I had my blood draw they diminished almost to zero. My weight and high BP did play a part though I'm sure. The thing is I'm telling these Drs this and no one is listening. This one Dr thinks I'm going to die! It seems many Drs in general are only interested in treating symptoms and not the root cause.

I have cycled in the past but a very long time ago. I'm strictly trt. Although I have thought about blasting, I haven't had the need.
I owe lots of thanks to this forum and guys like Kel, Almostgone, 2sox etc for educating me along the way which is the best thing. Knowledge is truly power.

**almostgone** · 07-06-2016, 07:58 PM

Good news and good detective work by you, Beethoven! I will say that I'm perturbed your cardiologist didn't investigate further or even order a CBC.
I'm guessing that you have ditched the beta blocker?

**kelkel** · 07-06-2016, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

It seems many Drs in general are only interested in treating symptoms and not the root cause.

So true. Glad you're well!

**Proximal** · 07-06-2016, 09:06 PM

Definely know thyself, but the MD was playing it conservative with the beta blockers. You are on AAS, but the MD was trying to cover their ASS in trying to prevent ventricular tachycardia (don't forget the family history) from turning into Ventricular Fibrillation and subsequent cardiac arrest. What was your BP and triglyceride levels like while you were overweight?

**Beethoven** · 07-07-2016, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by almostgone

Good news and good detective work by you, Beethoven! I will say that I'm perturbed your cardiologist didn't investigate further or even order a CBC.
I'm guessing that you have ditched the beta blocker?

Yes sir. I had given him my whole BW that my primary had done just before. Drs I guess seem to think we don't know what we're talking about. I remember the days when the Dr sat with you and wanted to know your whole life's story. I'm very disappointed but I guess that's where we are.

**Beethoven** · 07-07-2016, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Proximal

Definely know thyself, but the MD was playing it conservative with the beta blockers. You are on AAS, but the MD was trying to cover their ASS in trying to prevent ventricular tachycardia (don't forget the family history) from turning into Ventricular Fibrillation and subsequent cardiac arrest. What was your BP and triglyceride levels like while you were overweight?

Well one said VT, another said A Fib. I don't have a problem with playing it conservative, I tend to go that way myself. They just didn't investigate any further. What wound up happening was I had a "loop" implanted. It is a micro chip inserted into the body that monitors your hearts activity 24-7. I held off on the beta blocker until I had my first appointment with two weeks of data. By then I've had my therapeutic draw, lost 25# and just generally in better shape. No episodes.