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[FudgeIt]

So I seemed to be suffering from very low testesterone (the free one, not the other one) for awhile now and I finally decided to do something because at 35 years old, I am just about tired of being low energy and having low libido, especially when my wife has a higher libido than I do.

I have seen endocrinologists before where they mentioned that testesterone shots are not the way to go because they are pretty much a bandaid for a possibly underlying issue. So one of them once recommended Clomid as a response to this and I was on it momentarily until I no longer had the insurance and that endocrinologist retired.

3 - 4 years later with not doing much about it and being on hold, I visited a primary care doctor and another endocrinologist and the endocrinologist is telling me the same thing and maybe to start clomid and use GLP-1 to lose weight and once I lose weight, the testesterone should be able to increase, that I needed to change my lifestyle (reduce stress, lose weight) to get back that testesterone production. I am fine with that, I know I need to lose weight and I have lost weight recently.

But I have also started testesterone shots with my primary care doctor who says it's okay if I start on it for awhile just to get that boost of energy to help me exercise, etc. But godamn, I love this! I have increased my libido significantly where my wife has been super satisfied and I have been excited to the point where my mood is just infinitely better. Is there like anything wrong iwth just taking a low dosage of testesterone permanently or what?

 

[Wheeljack539]

I have no idea if it's bad or not to keep taking low dosages but still happy for you.

 

[German Shocks]

I have tried TRT, and also later managed to improve my health to a point where I no longer needed it, so here are some of my experiences that might be relevant.

1. Low testosterone feels really bad. I have had major depression, and there are definite parallels between that and the way that low testosterone can make you feel. There is a significant chance that you will feel WAY better (unfortunately not a guarantee).

2. I got a little aggressive for maybe the first week. Don't stress if this happens. It will pass quickly unless your dose is way too high. It is not so much the absolute level that causes aggression as the sudden change in level. As soon as my brain was used to the new normal I was actually MORE calm and agreeable than before. (I had no issues at all with reasonable people during that week…let's just say it could be wise to avoid people / situations that you know are likely to make you annoyed.)
Alternatively, if you have the patience you could ramp up the dose slowly over a few weeks.

3. Low testosterone is often a symptom of other issues, so TRT can be just a Band-Aid solution. However for me it was a vital Band-Aid. Making the lifestyle changes to get levels back to normal takes energy and motivation….which you don't have while your levels are low. Use the TRT, but once it is working, consider using your newfound energy and motivation to investigate ways that you could improve relevant lifestyle factors. Once you have had time to make adjustments you may want to try coming off the TRT. If it works you have saved yourself the trouble of being medicated for the rest of your life, and if it doesn't you can be more confident that staying on TRT is the correct decision for you. Even if you have to stay on TRT most of the lifestyle change that improve testosterone levels are positive for your general health anyway.

4. For me some of the changes that led to me being able to stop TRT were reducing stress, eating more quality fat, reducing sugar intake, reducing alcohol, avoiding oestrogenic chemicals. All of these would have been worthwhile for my health even if they had not been enough to come off TRT.

5. Low testosterone can be a viscous cycle / downward spiral. Your hormone levels affect your mental state which effects your behaviour, which effects your hormone levels. Sometimes TRT can get you out of the cycle, and then things are good.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Fuck man, how does one get started with this? Do you need a referral to an endocrinologist? I'm tired of feeling tired all the time.

 

[FudgeIt]

I have tried TRT, and also later managed to improve my health to a point where I no longer needed it, so here are some of my experiences that might be relevant.

1. Low testosterone feels really bad. I have had major depression, and there are definite parallels between that and the way that low testosterone can make you feel. There is a significant chance that you will feel WAY better (unfortunately not a guarantee).

2. I got a little aggressive for maybe the first week. Don't stress if this happens. It will pass quickly unless your dose is way too high. It is not so much the absolute level that causes aggression as the sudden change in level. As soon as my brain was used to the new normal I was actually MORE calm and agreeable than before. (I had no issues at all with reasonable people during that week…let's just say it could be wise to avoid people / situations that you know are likely to make you annoyed.)
Alternatively, if you have the patience you could ramp up the dose slowly over a few weeks.

3. Low testosterone is often a symptom of other issues, so TRT can be just a Band-Aid solution. However for me it was a vital Band-Aid. Making the lifestyle changes to get levels back to normal takes energy and motivation….which you don't have while your levels are low. Use the TRT, but once it is working, consider using your newfound energy and motivation to investigate ways that you could improve relevant lifestyle factors. Once you have had time to make adjustments you may want to try coming off the TRT. If it works you have saved yourself the trouble of being medicated for the rest of your life, and if it doesn't you can be more confident that staying on TRT is the correct decision for you. Even if you have to stay on TRT most of the lifestyle change that improve testosterone levels are positive for your general health anyway.

4. For me some of the changes that led to me being able to stop TRT were reducing stress, eating more quality fat, reducing sugar intake, reducing alcohol, avoiding oestrogenic chemicals. All of these would have been worthwhile for my health even if they had not been enough to come off TRT.

5. Low testosterone can be a viscous cycle / downward spiral. Your hormone levels affect your mental state which effects your behaviour, which effects your hormone levels. Sometimes TRT can get you out of the cycle, and then things are good.

Thanks for your insight! Yep, I do feel a bit aggressive. But this is my 2nd week in and it's gotten so much better and I do agree with the whole feeling a bit more agreeable and calm. I feel like this has been a lifesaver for me. I will keep this all in mind for sure. I am excited. I feel like this is what I really needed man and I am fucking jazzed.

Fuck man, how does one get started with this? Do you need a referral to an endocrinologist? I'm tired of feeling tired all the time.

You can probably just go to a primary care doctor but he may refer you to an endocrinologist. I sort of went with an endocrinologist first because I knew I had this issue and it came out multiple times in the past. I feel like my endocrinologist wouldn't have hesitated to give me T shots if I said yes. My primary care doctor was more cool about it and also a man and I am not even joking, he was like man, you know how many men come in here and have the same issues and feel like a whole new person on this? THe only issue I have is that I am going to Florida for 1.5 months and I won't be able to see him so I need to call tomorrow to see if he can give me a prescription so I can take an injection or 2 while I am in Florida.

 

[methane47]

how low was your T level? do you remember the count? and what is it now after the therapy?

 

[FudgeIt]

how low was your T level? do you remember the count? and what is it now after the therapy?

I haven't checked my after therapy, I'm still early but I think we're going to do blood work in 1.5 months. These were my levels with the reference ranges. They were showing up as Red

TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, MS -

196 L

Reference Range: 250-1100 ng/dL


TESTOSTERONE, FREE

34.3 L

Reference Range: 35.0-155.0 pg/mL

 

[Meicyn]

Glad you feel better OP. Just be sure not to rely on TRT long term unless there is a medical need per your doctor after you've exhausted all options with improving your health naturally. But take advantage of the newfound energy in the short term to establish good eating and exercise habits.

On the subject of exercise, a lot of folks overcomplicate it IMO when the reality is to just do anything that gets your muscles fatigued from exertion. You could get away with doing nothing but pushups, pullups, and body squats and you'd hit just about every muscle in your body in some way. You don't need fancy equipment either, you can literally make what you need with a bit of ingenuity. For example, I do farmer's carries using 5 gallon buckets from Menard's that cost me $4 each, filled with sand/dirt you can get outside for free.

Good luck on your journey to better health!

 

[methane47]

My T total was like 276 last time I checked... no clue about T -Free... urologist offered to put me on TRT within 2 minutes of stepping in the office, but i felt that was too quick.... I'll check again in a few months