Yes on the test, and I would say most but not all mornings. Need to pay more attention to that, I guess

ElephantRider said:

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Yes on the test, and I would say most but not all mornings. Need to pay more attention to that, I guess

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So, definitely not my area of expertise, but generally speaking, if you're still getting morning wood, your testosterone is probably at a sufficient level for your body. There are some pretty swole people out there with testosterone on the low end of normal, and then you've got people like me that have T off the charts (for a natural) that are just average looking.

Now, if you get a bunch of exogenous testosterone injected into you, are you going to feel better? For sure. However, is there an underlying problem that you may be covering up? Possibly.

If you're maximizing a healthy diet, exercising, sleep, and keeping fat off (which I know can be hard at first if you have low T), then your T levels should come up. Certain supplements that can help is magnesium, zinc, boron, and maybe ashwaghanda. Supplement magnesium, zinc, and fish oil. Boron is high in the fruits and nuts I eat, so I don't supplement that. And I don't do ashwghanda, but I hear it helps free up bound testosterone.

Just my thoughts.

I mentioned previously, but I came across Rise Men's Health when trying to find someone to prescribe the testosterone for me to give myself at home, but also willing to work with me based on the labs and tests I've already done. It was extremely easy, and worked with my insurance. Worth looking into, or just give them a call:

https://risemenshealth.com/

sanitariex said:

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I mentioned previously, but I came across Rise Men's Health when trying to find someone to prescribe the testosterone for me to give myself at home, but also willing to work with me based on the labs and tests I've already done. It was extremely easy, and worked with my insurance. Worth looking into, or just give them a call:

https://risemenshealth.com/

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Do you have to pay for a subscription with them?

No, with BCBS PPO. It's roughly $20 for each tele visit, and $25 for 4 vials at the local pharmacy, which gets me through two months at my current dose.

bigtruckguy3500 said:

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aggiefan2002 said:

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Just took my first testosterone test. 42 year old male, very fit, workout 6 days a week.

Free was 98.4 and total was 495. These are in normal range but seem a little on the lower ends from what I can tell. If sex, energy, etc. isn't affected I assume I shouldn't worry about it?

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For what it's worth. I was feeling incredibly drained and exhausted all the time, not much desire for anything. I was still working out and eating healthy, but not really making any gains in the gym. My friend suggested and ordered some labs for me. My testosterone was above what is considered normal range. Both free and total. Can't remember the free amount, but the total was close to 1100. But free was also above normal range. I suspect i just have a naturally higher baseline - although looking at me I do not look hugely muscular or anything.

So, based off your numbers, if you're having morning wood, you're probably ok. Yes, everyone will feel better taking exogenous testosterone. But, while there's potential for quite a few side effects and adverse effects, you will essentially buy yourself life long use if you stay on it.

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What steps did you take to address feeling drained and exhausted, and lack of motivation? Curious what solutions you found? Also, age range?

bigtruckguy3500 said:

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Jbob04 said:

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Don't have a recommendation but idk why primary care doctor don't want to treat low T. Mine in BCS says mine was in the normal range but it was around 300. This was when I was 40. I told him 300 at 40 is too low and I felt like **** all the damn time.

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There are people getting heart attacks from hyperviscosity from elevated red blood cells/hemoglobin while on TRT. There's also a thought process that it can accelerate atherosclerosis, increase risk of prostate cancer, and probably a few other things. I know there's some recent research that it might not do that, but I don't think it's robust research. They're a bit hesitant to do it because it's not something well studied and there is documented risk of harm.

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Just periodically donate blood or get a phlebotomy to alleviate RBC/Hematocrit issues. You also should get a blood test a bunch - I do four times a year to stay on top of everything. Primary car doc does 2X per year and the T clinic I go to does 2 times a year. I space them out so it is every quarter.

Late 30's. I am honestly still feeling it a bit. I think I"m probably a little depressed/lonely, not enough to meet criteria for true depression, but just a little bit of what may be referred to as anhedonia or dysthymia. But I already eat healthy, cleaned things up a bit more. Tried getting more sun/time outside. And forced myself to do various activities with other people. Still something I'm working on.

sanitariex said:

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I mentioned previously, but I came across Rise Men's Health when trying to find someone to prescribe the testosterone for me to give myself at home, but also willing to work with me based on the labs and tests I've already done. It was extremely easy, and worked with my insurance. Worth looking into, or just give them a call:

https://risemenshealth.com/

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Thank you for this. They have been awesome to deal with. Starting treatment as soon as HEB gets the prescription ready

Glad to hear it, I was skeptical to even list them so it didn't come across as some kind of advertisement or something, but they just fit the bill for what I wanted and were easy to work with. Exactly how it should be.

First time to post on this thread. I've been reading it for a while since I got tested a couple of years ago. I'm 57 and my T level is 354, never got my Free T tested. After a couple of years of losing about 40 pds and lifting 5 times a week my numbers were staying constant. My primary care Dr gave me the green light to start TRT. Met with a TRT specialist today and started my first injection this afternoon. I'll report back in a couple of weeks to let everyone know how things are progressing. Besides having a low number I was experiencing fatigue, brain fog, irritable and not feeling myself. Looking forward to the journey back to feeling better.

Gonna drag this thread up from the dead…anyone have any experience with Androxal/enclomiphene? Had blood work done twice in the past month and both times total T came in around 250. Went to a HRT specialist and suggested to start there, doing 8-10 weeks then doing a more comprehensive blood test to see the results.

Kwade23 said:

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Gonna drag this thread up from the dead…anyone have any experience with Androxal/enclomiphene? Had blood work done twice in the past month and both times total T came in around 250. Went to a HRT specialist and suggested to start there, doing 8-10 weeks then doing a more comprehensive blood test to see the results.

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Enclomiphene worsened my eye sight very quickly and did not raise my testosterone after 3 months.

Anyone have substantial hair loss after starting TRT? I mean, had full head of hair, started TRT, hair loss started right away?

And this is why I won't mess with TRT as long as my levels are normal. I'm almost 50 and have long hair down past my shoulders. Not even so much as a receding hairline so far. Not worth the risk

Sorrell Booke said:

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Anyone have substantial hair loss after starting TRT? I mean, had full head of hair, started TRT, hair loss started right away?

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I started losing hair in college. Still had hair but it's been slowly thinning ever since. Started TRT about 5 years ago and it's just continued at a steady pace. I'm in my mid-fifties and am probably going to just cut it very short now. It's getting to looking dumb comb-over mode.

Not sure if TRT made it worse or not, but I really don't care. I'd rather have normal T.

I agree with others here that I wouldn't get on TRT if you are in the normal range.

Any idea if maintaining propecia while on TRT would save the hair or is it a lost cause at that point?

Did it for 3 months, got bad headaches and my skin flushed red every day, while at work, had to stop.

That's what I do. I've maintained the whole time. I also now use minoxidil and special shampoo and conditioner (Nioxin) and the combo performs extremely well. I've been on Finasteride over a decade and recently started the TRT journey

LOL, I am a recovering TDS sufferer. I have admitted it many times. A daily dose of Fox News helps.

No but I was on Clomid. My T levels went from ~100 to over 1000 even 1200-1300. Some improvements overall but not significant when you compare to the T level that is indicated. I thought this was the magic pill but have come to the conclusion that it isn't and negatively affected my hematocrit and made my estrogen go through the roof despite anastrozole 3x week. I didn't notice any vision issues other than when driving people in other lanes seemed to be very close to me. Almost like my peripheral vision was messed up. Been off for 3 months now and it seems to be almost back to normal. Could just be my imagination....

I switched over to Oral TRT Jatenzo 3 months ago and at the low starting dose I've already noticed significant improvements vs the clomid. Waiting on my first bloodwork to come for the T level but the hematocrit is not back in the green where it was pre-clomid. If you read the research clomid isn't supposed to cause this but apparently it did for me as mine on clomid was typically ~52 and was as high as 58 once. Now back to ~48. My estrogen levels are actually too low, now directed to stop taking the anastrozole completely which I was only taking 1x week.

New here and interested in some feedback - at 40 earlier this year, asked for some additional testing with my annual physical. Learned that I had elevated prolactin levels at 39.5 and free testosterone at 3.66 NG/dl and total testosterone at 169 NG/dl. Doc ordered an MRI to rule out prolactinoma which was done and confirmed not to be the case. Sounds like doc wants to try and get prolactin under control with medication before going to T-therapy.

Any general thoughts here? Lift moderate weights three times per week and cardio consists of anywhere from a mile to three miles of walking per day. Diet is pretty good overall - we meal plan during the week with focus on high fiber and high protein meals with that primarily being some form of grilled or baked chicken. Moderate drinking only on weekends.

No other signs/symptoms - never feel depressed and never really feel exhausted other than mentally sometimes after a long day with the kids. With the workouts noted above, I generally see a fluctuation of 5-7 lbs sometimes on a daily basis but never really go above or below that range.

Outside of the above, all other blood tests are good but been fighting high cholesterol for at least 7-8 years - most recent reading was 247 for total, 38 for HDL, and 182 for LDL. I'm anti-statin at least for now and started on fish/krill oil last month to see if that makes any kind of impact.

I just started a few months ago and feel fantastic. I'm 50, very active, full head of hair and initial T-readings were right at 400. Now they are close to 1000. I take finestiride (sp) as well to curb any hair loss and so far have not seen any signs of balding.

My question, though, is since I'm paying $200/month at a T-shop will a Dr prescribe it for me at this time? Any test I do will provide results that are in the 1000s and I have no access to previous bloodwork. It will be, you have my word that it was low and I'm going to do this with or without you. I would like you to just give me a script so I'm not paying so much.

I seriously doubt it as even at400 you would not be considered Low T for a scrip. Could be wrong but doubt. I was 130 low.

I don't believe 400 is generally considered low. But man, $200 a week is a lot.

Doubtful without it being below 300 but never hurts to ask. You weren't technically low at 400. My fear of supplementing then is that you are signing up to do it forever because your body will now back off producing it naturally. You could probably cease treatment at some point after you've been on it awhile, your natural level then may test below 300, then you get a prescription. But tbh, at 400, I'd not supplement and instead look for natural ways to boost it.

jtraggie99 said:

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I don't believe 400 is generally considered low. But man, $200 a week is a lot.

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I mistyped. I pay 200/ month. That pays for the injections and labs.