RE: MAN BOOBS SAGGING FLABBY CHEST

Thanks for your question, 49er. You did NOT mention your breasts were painful or tender (to the touch, that is). If they ARE it is suggestive of recent onset “man boobs” AKA gynecomastia, or “gyno” in gym speak.

Your use of Androgel for > 4 months could indeed be a culprit (“excess” or extra testosterone can be converted into estrogens). In male breast tissue a “battle” between free estrogens and free androgens (like testosterone) can unfold, and when the estrogens are leading gyno can MANifest (pun intended). Additionally, your body fatness can promote higher activity of the enzyme that converts androgens (like testosterone) into estrogens (aromatase). The Androgel can be feeding aromatase and leading to a relative overproduction of estrogens. You did NOT mention your blood ESTROGENS, nor FREE testosterone.

NOTE: it is important to “diagnose” your condition. Gyno is identified by a circular ring of rubbery or firm tissue around the entire nipple/ areola area (the pigmented part of your breast, with the nipple at the center). Lie down on your back and use your index finger and thumb to pinch the tissue around the nipple together. If you feel a circular disk of rubbery or firm tissue it is VERY LIKELY gyno. If it is HARD, go see a doctor. Since you wrote man boobS (plural) it is also very likely gyno, as male breast CANCER (yes, it affects about 1/1,000 men) is usually on ONE breast…

What to do if it IS gyno? First off, your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 30 (use this link to calculate: , meaning you are clinically obese—at risk for extra estrogens production (see above). Gyno is linked to body fatness. You need to take a more aggressive approach to reducing your fat mass. Secondly, chat with the doc that prescribed the Androgel and let her/him know, and have them perform an exam, too. Your ample total testosterone value (508) is further suggestive of excess estrogens being derived from the aromatization of testosterone—you do NOT currently appear to be low testosterone. Thirdly, since you are aware of your higher body fatness I will guess that you are following a LOW carb, HIGH to very high protein diet, with a modest to moderate fat intake. This is reinforced by your admission of “…no energy, motivation, strength, and unable to have any intensity throughout [your] weight workouts.” This may be counter to what you have read and heard—but I don’t care. Try this: reduce your total DAILY protein intake to about 0.8 g/lb of body weight, over a period of one week, AND for every 25 grams of protein that you remove REPLACE it with 5 grams of carbohydrates. Your target is to not increase CALORIE intake but to SWAP some of your protein for carbs and remain calorie NEUTRAL.

Lastly, consume a 35-50 gram dose of carbs mixed with your pre-workout, and GULP it up about 20-30 min before you train. I suggest you add Vitargo to your pre-workout. After you finish training mix 35-70 grams of carbs from Vitargo with about 25 grams of a hydrolyzed whey protein like Proto Whey (BNRG) or HydroWhey (Optimum).

You really must suspend your belief that carbs will make you fat. Give this adjusted diet a WEEK, and go see your Androgel doc. If your gyno is recent onset (less than a year since onset) they will very likely recede with time and attention. The LAST resort is an aromatase inhibitor drug—tamoxifen has been studied in men with gyno and is quite effective…