Is it low T or High Blood pressure

[medhypertension]

First time posting here. I am 40 years old.

My history -
June 26th - High glucose readings (7.1 to 7.4 fasting). Started Keto Diet (no carbs)
July3rd - had 25 saucy chicken wings and lost my erection
July14th - erection was back
July 21st - ate Salty Basil chicken and lost my erection
July 27th - erection was back
July 30th - had started eating cooked Shrimp and switched to low carb keto and probably ate more that day and lost my erection.
Aug7th - erection was back
Aug9th - ate salted almonds and lost my erection
Since I lost my erection when I ate salty food I checked my morning blood pressure and it has been between 122/82 to 128/86 (couple times 141/90 and 145/92) for past 11 days. In the past 11 days I get semi erect (60%) but cannot maintain for more than 10-15 seconds. I tried Cialis and Viagra the erections are stronger (90%) but cannot maintain for more than 10-15 seconds.
My blood work hbAC1 is 6.4%, Testoterone is 10.8 (report from 2 years back - 9.8), high LDL and low HDL.
Doctor said its age related take Viagra. There's not many options for ED.

I am trying to understand what the cause could be for my ED. Is it the low T or is my recent diabetes and eating salty food increased blood pressure causing ED.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Systemlord]

Having low testosterone increases your risk of developing diabetes, and diabetes causes low testosterone. Your testosterone level is below the cut off. Your doctor should’ve prescribed testosterone therapy already.

The British Society of sexual medicine recommends TRT to those <14 nmol/L with prediabetes to prevent progression to overt type 2 diabetes. The guidelines are in the post below.

ED drugs won’t work if your hormones are low. Testosterone increases nitric oxide, Cialis and Viagra require nitric oxide to work.

There’s no way for your doctor to determine what’s normal for you because he doesn’t know your genetics or AR Gene CAG repeats/androgen sensitivity level or where your levels were 10-15 years ago.

Your pre diabetes in the cause of your low testosterone and I find it astonishing that your doctor is completely in the dark about it. So your low testosterone is not age related it’s diabetes related.

It is very difficult to get TRT in the UK because a lot of the doctors are just not very knowledgeable in this area of medicine, the NHS is a big waste of time.

 

[Seagal]

What did you eat when your erection was back?
Keto diet is not a zero carb diet. Seems like you found a correlation between salt and erection quality. For clarification, before keto you never had erection problems?

 

[Systemlord]

British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on Male Adult TD

The British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on Male Adult Testosterone Deficiency, With Statements for Practice (2023) Geoffrey Hackett, Michael Kirby, Rowland W. Rees, T. Hugh Jones, Asif Muneer, Mark Livingston, Nick Ossei-Gerning, Janine David, Jeff Foster, Philip A. Kalra, Sudarshan...

www.excelmale.com

Testosterone Level: How Low is Too Low? Health Consequences of Low Testosterone

I was able to summarize all available studies on testosterone blood levels and how they are linked to several health issues. I will add references soon. Low Blood Levels of Testosterone and Associated Risks: < 450 ng/dl (15.3 nmol/l) - Risk of metabolic syndrome Reference: Dhindsa, S...

www.excelmale.com

 

[Seagal]

Having low testosterone increases your risk of developing diabetes, and diabetes causes low testosterone. Your testosterone level is below the cut off. Your doctor should’ve prescribed testosterone therapy already.

The British Society of sexual medicine recommends TRT to those under 12 nmol/L. Your doctor didn’t even check your SHBG or free testosterone. What an epic fail!

Testosterone deficiency isn’t defined by total testosterone. It is defined by the free testosterone.

ED drugs won’t work if your hormones are low. Testosterone increases nitric oxide, Cialis and Viagra require nitric oxide to work.

There’s no way for your doctor to determine what’s normal for you because he doesn’t know your genetics or AR Gene CAG repeats/androgen sensitivity level.

It is very difficult to get TRT in the UK because a lot of the doctors are just not very knowledgeable in this area of medicine, the NHS is a big waste of time.

I agree, if low testosterone causes your diabetes then diet alone is sort of an attempt to work around it. Low or zero carb (and calorie restriction) will likely decrease your free testosterone and thyroid activity.

 

[Systemlord]

I agree, if low testosterone causes your diabetes then diet alone is sort of an attempt to work around it. Low or zero carb (and calorie restriction) will likely decrease your free testosterone and thyroid activity.

TRT with the proper diet and lifestyle changes, @medhypertension has a very solid chance at reversing and even curing his type 2 diabetes.

My A1c used to be 12 and now I’m hovering just above a normal A1C level and I likely had type 2 diabetes for over 20 years before I got the diagnosis.

I would be very surprised if @medhypertension didn’t reverse his type two diabetes within 6-12 months of starting TRT.

 

[Seagal]

Do you exercise regularly?

 

[Systemlord]

Is it the low T or is my recent diabetes and eating salty food increased blood pressure causing ED.

Even moderate salt intake wrecks me, salt is bad for diabetes because it dehydrates you and anything that dehydrates you make your diabetes worse.

I would stay away from grains, rice, oatmeal, pasta, fruits (fructose/sugar), flower, your body will convert all of this to glucose.

I’m seeing amazing results on the carnivore diet, except for I had made a gross error and ate way too much bacon and eggs or 4400 mg sodium per day, and this caused urinary calcium loss.

If I were you, I would go on the carnivore diet and get your ass in the gym and I’ll bet your testosterone levels go back up. I don’t think you’re beyond the point of no return yet.

 

[Systemlord]

 

[Seagal]

Even moderate salt intake wrecks me, salt is bad for diabetes because it dehydrates you and anything that dehydrates you make your diabetes worse.

I would stay away from grains, rice, oatmeal, pasta, fruits (fructose/sugar), flower, your body will convert all of this to glucose.

I’m seeing amazing results on the carnivore diet, except for I had made a gross error and ate way too much bacon and eggs or 4400 mg sodium per day, and this caused urinary calcium loss.

If I were you, I would go on the carnivore diet and get your ass in the gym and I’ll bet your testosterone levels go back up. I don’t think you’re beyond the point of no return yet.

I believe you made changes to your diet, physical activity alongside/after starting TRT. ...
There are many great anecdotes about carnivore diet.
What I haven't heard here: carnivore cured my hypogonadism. And I wonder why nobody tries to get off TRT and just let carnivore fix it...

 

[Seagal]

Even moderate salt intake wrecks me, salt is bad for diabetes because it dehydrates you and anything that dehydrates you make your diabetes worse.

I would stay away from grains, rice, oatmeal, pasta, fruits (fructose/sugar), flower, your body will convert all of this to glucose.

Electrolyte balance is the key. Flat lined insulin makes it difficult to retain electrolytes.
...basic knowledge...

 

[medhypertension]

What did you eat when your erection was back?
Keto diet is not a zero carb diet. Seems like you found a correlation between salt and erection quality. For clarification, before keto you never had erection problems?

Since June 26th been eating mostly veggies, shrimp, nuts, water but after the 3rd time losing erection switched to tofu.
I walk regularly about 20-30 mins per day, and do pushups(20x2), perlvic exercises, planks.
Before this I have had no erection problems.
On keto I have lost 40 lbs since June 26th. Now my fasting glucose is between 5.2 and 5.8.
Should I go to a walk-in and ask for referral to an Urologist for TRT ? I am in Canada I think we need referrals to see a specialist here.
I will look into carnivore diet.

Thanks

 

[Seagal]

Since June 26th been eating mostly veggies, shrimp, nuts, water but after the 3rd time losing erection switched to tofu.
I walk regularly about 20-30 mins per day, and do pushups(20x2), perlvic exercises, planks.
Before this I have had no erection problems.
On keto I have lost 40 lbs since June 26th. Now my fasting glucose is between 5.2 and 5.8.
Should I go to a walk-in and ask for referral to an Urologist for TRT ?

NO!!! I think you lost too much weight too quickly, about 2kg per week. Your exercise program is good.
You need to eat more! Take a break, try to maintain your current weight. If it goes about 1 kg up, no worries, your a likely drained off any glycogen and water. Your metabolism is probably in full starvation mode. A good aim is 1 pound per week, otherwise you might lose too much muscles.
I currently lost 3kg in three weeks on TRT, and even I need to take a break.

 

[Mr_Fusion]

Since June 26th been eating mostly veggies, shrimp, nuts, water but after the 3rd time losing erection switched to tofu.
I walk regularly about 20-30 mins per day, and do pushups(20x2), perlvic exercises, planks.
Before this I have had no erection problems.
On keto I have lost 40 lbs since June 26th. Now my fasting glucose is between 5.2 and 5.8.
Should I go to a walk-in and ask for referral to an Urologist for TRT ? I am in Canada I think we need referrals to see a specialist here.
I will look into carnivore diet.

Thanks

Tofu (soy protein) is notorious for causing reduced testosterone levels in men.

 

[Systemlord]

Should I go to a walk-in and ask for referral to an Urologist for TRT ? I am in Canada I think we need referrals to see a specialist here.

In Canada, finding a “specialist” in the field of male sex hormones, good luck! Male sex hormones isn't taught in mainstream medical schools. You got a rough road ahead. Canada is in a similar spot to the UK as far as TRT being difficult to get prescribed to men let alone getting prescribe an up-to-date TRT protocol.

Perhaps @madman can recommend a doctor since he’s a Canadian.

 

[Guided_by_Voices]

I would blame the PUFAs in chicken before I would blame salt. And drawing blood into the digestive tract from eating anything that takes a while to digest is just as likely a culprit. As a leading Dr. says, chicken is the worst of the industrial Frankenfoods, and fried chicken is even worse.

 

[medhypertension]

NO!!! I think you lost too much weight too quickly, about 2kg per week. Your exercise program is good.
You need to eat more! Take a break, try to maintain your current weight. If it goes about 1 kg up, no worries, your a likely drained off any glycogen and water. Your metabolism is probably in full starvation mode. A good aim is 1 pound per week, otherwise you might lose too much muscles.
I currently lost 3kg in three weeks on TRT, and even I need to take a break.

On keto you don't feel hungry, so it's easy forget to eat.

Will aim for 1 or 2 lbs per week and start weights.

Thanks

 

[medhypertension]

In Canada, finding a “specialist” in the field of male sex hormones, good luck! Male sex hormones isn't taught in mainstream medical schools. You got a rough road ahead. Canada is in a similar spot to the UK as far as TRT being difficult to get prescribed to men let alone getting prescribe an up-to-date TRT protocol.

Perhaps @madman can recommend a doctor since he’s a Canadian.

I don't know much about TRT protocols but if I had to go to USA for TRT what is the price I'd be looking at for a year for a good protocol.

 

[Systemlord]

I don't know much about TRT protocols but if I had to go to USA for TRT what is the price I'd be looking at for a year for a good protocol.

Average $1500-2000 yearly.

 

[Seagal]

On keto you don't feel hungry, so it's easy forget to eat.

Will aim for 1 or 2 lbs per week and start weights.

Thanks

Hey, the more fat cells one carries the more fat one can burn per week.
Thread 'Maximum Fat Loss Calculator' Maximum Fat Loss Calculator

Keep in mind that your body still needs nutrients to function properly. The less you eat the more challenging this gets.
You lost already a tremendous amount of weight/fat and there is good chance that your hormones (testosterone, insulin) will improve. Give it a chance before jumping on TRT train.