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Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#91

Post by DamnYuppie »

dominotw wrote: post #69
DamnYuppie wrote: post #15

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete gam…

> I can say that it is a complete game changer! Could this be a placebo effect. I have low testosterone too. I've been doing "natural" ways by changing diet, cardio/weights, sleeping in a lot, trying to have sex regularly. But my numbers just don't seem to budge. I think my only options now are TRT or just accept and make peace with it. If I do TRT, my impression is that you have stay on it for life. I am not sure i…

I 100% feel you as the fear of having to do it forever was a big hold up for me as well. The reality is you can stop whenever you want you will just go back to having less energy etc.

Having done it I can see myself doing it until my late 50's at which point I should have the majority of my adventuring done as well as be out of the workforce so I will probably not be too concerned about lack of energy.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#92

Post by worker_person »

chaostheory wrote: post #39
worker_person wrote: post #25

Yes. Got to the point that I was taking dementia medication. A loop was a major challenge for me. After a few years it came down to two issues. I had a clotting disorder. (Factor 5 Leiden) I was suffering minor strokes (TIA) without knowing it. I had high cranial pressure (IIH), which leads to brain fog. When I started blood thinners, and got IIH under control It was like a flip was switched. Problems that had been t…

This is for everyone else since hindsight is 20/20, but heavy and consistent cardio exercise can help prevent issues like this. That and keeping your weight on the lighter side.

For the IIH. You are sometimes correct. Weight is usually, but not always the issue. Its kind of a checkmark in things you should be doing.

An interesting pattern is IIH can prevent exercise. I spent years getting a major headache and brain fog for a week after each workout session.

For Factor 5 Leiden. Sometimes genetics just says you're screwed. Nothing other then blood thinners was going to matter for this one.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#93

Post by adamhearn »

fnordpiglet wrote: post #61
DamnYuppie wrote: post #15

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete gam…

You should investigate clomiphene citrate instead of testosterone directly. Clomid mutes the brains response to estrogen, the final feedback product of the testosterone cycle. This causes the body to produce more testosterone in the testes rather than front loading the cycle. The primary impact is your testes continue to function, while testosterone over time will chemically castrate you. This has been in use for 60…

Suggesting long term SERM use in replacement of a bio identical testosterone does not seem like the brightest idea. There have been reports of blurred vision, floaters in the eyes, and more (look on pubmed under just about any SERM, but specifically clomid).

In my opinion it would be much safer to suggest recombinant FSH and LH. The brain testes axis seems to have the least amount of atrophy over time from anecdotal experiences of those online and in a few case reports. I do not think HCG should be used long term due to the non-bio identical nature, but it is a good short term LH mimic if my memory serves me correctly. Would be a great addition to a TRT protocol.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#94

Post by fnordpiglet »

teaearlgraycold wrote: post #45
300bps wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed…

As someone that only recently started exercising after a lifetime of being sedentary - everything they say about exercise is true. If it was a pill it would be the greatest medical discovery of all time and worth trillions of dollars.

I’m in the same situation! I’ve always been sedentary but recently started relatively intense training and the improvement in literally everything is remarkable.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#95

Post by worker_person »

DamnYuppie wrote: post #84
300bps wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this Honest question - how much exercise were you getting before you went to testosterone therapy? The reason I ask is because of the studies that have shown that the decline in testosterone associated with aging is because of poor health, not age. Example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607121129.h... I am in the next decade after you and have noticed…

I have been very active my entire adult life. Part of what really tipped me off was my energy before and after the gym was much lower than it used to be. Also I would be tired starting around 2 PM in the afternoon, this isn't sleep related as I sleep like a baby, which I am grateful for. Also I never drank coffee or took lots of caffeine so I was perplexed as to why I would just crater in the afternoons. After starti…

Had a sleep study? Solved my testosterone problem.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#97

Post by DamnYuppie »

radicalbyte wrote: post #28
DamnYuppie wrote: post #15

I am in my mid 40's and recently really noticed this. It felt like some of the teeth in the gears of my mind were worn down and things were slipping. After complaining about it to some peers I was informed this could be due to low testosterone so I went and had that tested. Apparently my testosterone level was that of a 70 year old man so I started testosterone replacement therapy. I can say that it is a complete gam…

Thanks for posting this - I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. That combined with being totally out of shape (covid + terrible two's).

I would recommend trying to work on diet/exercise before I would go down the TRT path. If you get those squared away and stress at home is reduced and you still are having the same issues then it maybe something to look into.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#98

Post by throwaway2037 »

tylerneylon wrote: post #49
alibova wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow how do you have time for sleep, exercise, bootstrap start up, learn another language, etc. as a single dad? Any suggestions on life organization? Do you have a team of nannies/house help?

I have lots of help. I write during work hours (so kids are at school). At work I delegate as much as possible to a team of great people; hiring a good team has been critical. I sometimes hire a sitter to support some exercise time, and other times I bring my kids with me to a running track. I hire housecleaners to clean regularly to help me keep my home nice and organized. I don't currently have a personal assistant…

Reading your comments, I think you have super human level of energy. Not to take anything away from your experience, but that isn't much help to the OP who is likely much lower energy. I observe the same in myself. Each year that I age up, the gap in energy between myself and peers grows larger. They keep getting fatter, slower, lazier, less innovative/intelligent. Me: Yes, a bit, but far slower than others around me. The last five years has been striking -- the distance. More and more people ask me: "How do you do it?" Or "When will you slow down?". For years, I thought something was wrong with me and my brain. Now, I understand the gap better. To be clear: This does not mean that I am _absolutely_ smarter than my peers (or a better worker!) -- I am only talking about "energy levels". Ask yourself: How does Elon Musk work 80/90/100 hours per week in his early 50s? Probably a lot cocaine and caffeine. Plus, he has super human level of energy. When I listen to Cal Newport's style of working, I think: "Oh, hey, that's me!" Of course, I'm not a university professor and successful author of many best sellers. But the energy level is similar.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#99

Post by pstuart »

DamnYuppie wrote: post #97
radicalbyte wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for posting this - I'm having this problem, but I've put it down to having small children, the chronic lack of sleep and the rarely having more than 1 hour time in a week where it's quiet and I can focus. That combined with being totally out of shape (covid + terrible two's).

I would recommend trying to work on diet/exercise before I would go down the TRT path. If you get those squared away and stress at home is reduced and you still are having the same issues then it maybe something to look into.

And quality sleep.

Re: Ask HN: Have you experienced decline in problem-solving skills? How to improve?

#100

Post by fnordpiglet »

adamhearn wrote: post #93
fnordpiglet wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should investigate clomiphene citrate instead of testosterone directly. Clomid mutes the brains response to estrogen, the final feedback product of the testosterone cycle. This causes the body to produce more testosterone in the testes rather than front loading the cycle. The primary impact is your testes continue to function, while testosterone over time will chemically castrate you. This has been in use for 60…

Suggesting long term SERM use in replacement of a bio identical testosterone does not seem like the brightest idea. There have been reports of blurred vision, floaters in the eyes, and more (look on pubmed under just about any SERM, but specifically clomid). In my opinion it would be much safer to suggest recombinant FSH and LH. The brain testes axis seems to have the least amount of atrophy over time from anecdotal…

Research indicates blurred vision happens but is rare.

I thought LH/FSH is usually increased using HCG injections? Is there an oral route for LH//FSH? One of the benefits of clomiphene is it’s orally administered so no complex refrigeration / injectable requirements.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31216250/

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