TRT - What Has the Journey Been Like?

Hey guys not sure if there is a thread like this already but,,,,,

I wanted to know some questions about you all.

How and when did you come to find out you needed TRT or just help in regards to your health? (Like was it random labs , were you just feeling awful or not yourself and decided to get checked up?)

Any other health issues besides Testosterone related?

What were the symptoms you had / how were you feeling before hand?

What was It that ended up helping you / who was it?

Are you still looking for help? ( for those that might get help through this thread)

How are you feeling now?

Kinda just want to hear your stories....

Reason being is I like to see a lot of related cases and stories of people similar to mine and or different , where people are finding success . And to stir up some hope for people such as myself that aren't successfully diagnosed or treated yet.

Thanks all

AntCon said:

Hey guys not sure if there is a thread like this already but,,,,,

I wanted to know some questions about you all.

How and when did you come to find out you needed TRT or just help in regards to your health? (Like was it random labs , were you just feeling awful or not yourself and decided to get checked up?)

Any other health issues besides Testosterone related?

What were the symptoms you had / how were you feeling before hand?

What was It that ended up helping you / who was it?

Are you still looking for help? ( for those that might get help through this thread)

How are you feeling now?

Kinda just want to hear your stories....

Reason being is I like to see a lot of related cases and stories of people similar to mine and or different , where people are finding success . And to stir up some hope for people such as myself that aren't successfully diagnosed or treated yet.

Thanks all

Click to expand...

In my own case, I sustained a slow, insidious decline in energy, libido, concentration, and erectile function. In my mid-50s at the time (I'm now 59), I realized it was more than advancing age. Since I have dealt with autoimmune issues, including adrenal insufficiency, for years, I had some idea I was dealing with hypogonadal challenges.

A Canadian, I've sought treatment in the States in the past, second opinions, and realized pretty quickly that my options for care here were not as broad as I'd need. An initial referral to a highly regarded endocrinologist was an exercise in futility. Success was found with a new family doctor. She is sharp, up to date, talks to doctors in the US regularly. Suggested daily injections when labs and SHBG confounded me. She knows how to play the game.

Today, with daily testosterone, HCG (which does nothing subjectively for me), and daily Cialis, my protocol has met my expectations. I feel marvelous.

While the relationship with my doctor is the key to my success, it was Excelmale that armed me with the knowledge to be my own advocate, to recognize what worked and what was simply silly. And each of us have stories of our own about doctors and foolishness.

CoastWatcher said:

In my own case, I sustained a slow, insidious decline in energy, libido, concentration, and erectile function. In my mid-50s at the time (I'm now 59), I realized it was more than advancing age. Since I have dealt with autoimmune issues, including adrenal insufficiency, for years, I had some idea I was dealing with hypogonadal challenges.

A Canadian, I've sought treatment in the States in the past, second opinions, and realized pretty quickly that my options for care here were not as broad as I'd need. An initial referral to a highly regarded endocrinologist was an exercise in futility. Success was found with a new family doctor. She is sharp, up to date, talks to doctors in the US regularly. Suggested daily injections when labs and SHBG confounded me. She knows how to play the game.

Today, with daily testosterone, HCG (which does nothing subjectively for me), and daily Cialis, my protocol has met my expectations. I feel marvelous.

While the relationship with my doctor is the key to my success, it was Excelmale that armed me with the knowledge to be my own advocate, to recognize what worked and what was simply silly. And each of us have stories of our own about doctors and foolishness.

Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks for that. It's great to hear successful stories such as yours and gives lots of us great hope. Do you think the main reason for your symptoms was the low Testosterone?

Also are there tests I could possibly get to check for auto immune issues?

AntCon said:

Awesome, thanks for that. It's great to hear successful stories such as yours and gives lots of us great hope. Do you think the main reason for your symptoms was the low Testosterone?

Also are there tests I could possibly get to check for auto immune issues?

Click to expand...

Well, you and you're doctor already reviewed the main ones - the full thyroid tests (ft3, ft4, rt3, and both thyroid antibody assessments), and your cortisol levels. An ANA might be run, but it's a non-specific test. My family history, full of endocrine and rheumatological concerns, dictated a deeper dive, but most men don't need to pull the number of results I sorted through. As for what caused my symptoms, it was certainly the low testosterone. Once a solid protocol was in place and stable levels had been achieved, I felt better than I had in years - and continue to.

CoastWatcher said:

Well, you and you're doctor already reviewed the main ones - the full thyroid tests (ft3, ft4, rt3, and both thyroid antibody assessments), and your cortisol levels. An ANA might be run, but it's a non-specific test. My family history, full of endocrine and rheumatological concerns, dictated a deeper dive, but most men don't need to pull the number of results I sorted through. As for what caused my symptoms, it was certainly the low testosterone. Once a solid protocol was in place and stable levels had been achieved, I felt better than I had in years - and continue to.

Click to expand...

Yea I pretty much just want to test it all lol. I don't wanna leave anything out there that could also be contributing to my poor health. I'm glad you found the main source of your issues , crossing my fingers I will too.

Thanks again CoastWatcher

CoastWatcher said:

In my own case, I sustained a slow, insidious decline in energy, libido, concentration, and erectile function. In my mid-50s at the time (I'm now 59), I realized it was more than advancing age. Since I have dealt with autoimmune issues, including adrenal insufficiency, for years, I had some idea I was dealing with hypogonadal challenges.

A Canadian, I've sought treatment in the States in the past, second opinions, and realized pretty quickly that my options for care here were not as broad as I'd need. An initial referral to a highly regarded endocrinologist was an exercise in futility. Success was found with a new family doctor. She is sharp, up to date, talks to doctors in the US regularly. Suggested daily injections when labs and SHBG confounded me. She knows how to play the game.

Today, with daily testosterone, HCG (which does nothing subjectively for me), and daily Cialis, my protocol has met my expectations. I feel marvelous.

While the relationship with my doctor is the key to my success, it was Excelmale that armed me with the knowledge to be my own advocate, to recognize what worked and what was simply silly. And each of us have stories of our own about doctors and foolishness.

Click to expand...

My story is similar to Coast watcher. I didn't care if it was advancing age, I hated the decline. I'm 63 and have been on for a year. I've been working out steadily in some way,shape,or form since 1967 and hated the fact that as time went on, I had less and less to show for it. I've been fortunate that I lived in the greater Boston area when I started TRT and moved to New Hampshire, so I can still get to my appointments every 6 months. My MD is Dr. Abraham Morganthaler, who has me on 100mg test cyp weekly, which has been working very well. I don't take hcg or an AI, just the test, fish oil, vitamin d, and the daily 5mg cialis.

TRT has been exceeded my expectations. I expected a bump in my life, but this has been above and beyond what I expected. I've got noticeably larger with only a 5 to 8 pound weight gain, way more cut and muscular than I've been since my mid 30s, libido and quality of sex has never been better, even as a young man. My wife and I have been together 30 years this July, and she still gives me that ego boost that a guy wants from his woman.

I also notice that I am a little more outgoing, and more optimistic in my daily functioning. I seem to heal and recover a lot faster as well.I do workout very hard, short extremely intense workouts with resistance bands and sprints on a schwinn air dyne on alternating days. I do a lot of work on my property, splitting wood, logging, stacking, and other farm type stuff 2-3 days per week. I know I'd wouldn't have this energy if I wasn't on TRT.

The reason for the decline, to me, was irrelevant. Unless you are dealing with a depressive episode, I don't see a downside in giving TRT a try. If your testosterone levels are out of range, give it a try.

I am 74 yo and started TRT almost 4 years ago.

My TRT journey started with a diagnosis of osteoporsis. My doctor put me on fosamax and vitamin D supplements. After 2 years there was no improvement. At that point my doctor noted that my test was out-of-range low and she asked if I wanted to try TRT. I jumped at the chance.

My doctor thought I should self-inject and preferred SC injections. We worked on getting the dose right. She was happy with any TT and FT levels that did not exceed the top of the normal range (1100 ng/dL for TT). However, my insurance company would not pay unless 2 consecutive TT levels were below 800. I gave up on the insurance and just keep my TT about 1100.

The results have been fabulous. I am more muscular and more defined than I have ever been before in my life (and that is really amazing for someone who is 74 years old). It has also been great for biking, my favorite recreation. I am now the undisputed fastest rider and best hill climber in my bike group and I am next to the oldest person in the group. When I first joined the group about 10 years ago, I was slightly below average. And my bone density has increased so I no longer have osteoporosis.

@Mountain Man - Glad you were and are able to get an educated Dr near you. Was that the first doctor you started to see? Or did you have to go through a few before finding the right . I too used to work out as much as possible , sucks cause now ever since my health issues I can't even workout 1 day with out feeling completely drained and fatigue.

@Virginian - Man , too know your osteoporosis is gone since starting TRT is amazing. Hopefully others with osteoporosis will see this and possibly get be able to do the same. What were your Testosterone levels at before TRT of you don't mind me asking?

Wow it's cool to see all the age ranges of you guys and how you all are getting great benefit as long as you are on the right protocol.

Have any of you ever suffered from extreme fatigue or drained energy prior to TRT.

AntCon said:

@Mountain Man - Glad you were and are able to get an educated Dr near you. Was that the first doctor you started to see? Or did you have to go through a few before finding the right . I too used to work out as much as possible , sucks cause now ever since my health issues I can't even workout 1 day with out feeling completely drained and fatigue.

@Virginian - Man , too know your osteoporosis is gone since starting TRT is amazing. Hopefully others with osteoporosis will see this and possibly get be able to do the same. What were your Testosterone levels at before TRT of you don't mind me asking?

Wow it's cool to see all the age ranges of you guys and how you all are getting great benefit as long as you are on the right protocol.

Have any of you ever suffered from extreme fatigue or drained energy prior to TRT.

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I was fortunate to live in the Boston area at the time, and that was the first MD that I saw.

Your symptoms are are worse than mine were. I was more concerned with sarcopenia- muscle shrinking and declining strength. My pcp told me, "Wht do you expect, you're in your 60s. You can't expect to be like you were 20 years ago." I knew it could be better because I was seeing pictures online of guys my age and older that had maintained muscularity into their 70s and I wanted to be one of those guys. Why not? I was working as hard as they were, I was certain of that. Why not be one of those guys? Life is too short, and why give up for the last 25 to 30 years? Yeah, you need to be on the right protocol, but you have to workout as hard as you can tolerate. Older guys on this forum that are doing well with TRT all seem to have this in common, they workout doing resistance work and cardio, watch their diets, and have healthy sex lives. TRT is a critical part, but not the only part of the equation.

Mountain Man said:

I was fortunate to live in the Boston area at the time, and that was the first MD that I saw.

Your symptoms are are worse than mine were. I was more concerned with sarcopenia- muscle shrinking and declining strength. My pcp told me, "Wht do you expect, you're in your 60s. You can't expect to be like you were 20 years ago." I knew it could be better because I was seeing pictures online of guys my age and older that had maintained muscularity into their 70s and I wanted to be one of those guys. Why not? I was working as hard as they were, I was certain of that. Why not be one of those guys? Life is too short, and why give up for the last 25 to 30 years? Yeah, you need to be on the right protocol, but you have to workout as hard as you can tolerate. Older guys on this forum that are doing well with TRT all seem to have this in common, they workout doing resistance work and cardio, watch their diets, and have healthy sex lives. TRT is a critical part, but not the only part of the equation.

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you might also want to check growth hormone levels i know these guys 50-70 years old pictures of whom you see that look fantastic are also on growth hormone (not bodybuilder dosages but to get them range they were in teens-20s)

lowe2sucks said:

you might also want to check growth hormone levels i know these guys 50-70 years old pictures of whom you see that look fantastic are also on growth hormone (not bodybuilder dosages but to get them range they were in teens-20s)

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Growth hormone is out of the question due to cost. Test cyp is dirt cheap, works very well, and is not hard to get. It is actually cheaper than a lot of those over the counter test boosters that don't work. I think with a fair amount of consistent hard work it is possible to look that way without it. But, if I was as rich as Stallone, I'd probably be doing it too.

AntCon said:

@Mountain Man - Glad you were and are able to get an educated Dr near you. Was that the first doctor you started to see? Or did you have to go through a few before finding the right . I too used to work out as much as possible , sucks cause now ever since my health issues I can't even workout 1 day with out feeling completely drained and fatigue.

@Virginian - Man , too know your osteoporosis is gone since starting TRT is amazing. Hopefully others with osteoporosis will see this and possibly get be able to do the same. What were your Testosterone levels at before TRT of you don't mind me asking?

Wow it's cool to see all the age ranges of you guys and how you all are getting great benefit as long as you are on the right protocol.

Have any of you ever suffered from extreme fatigue or drained energy prior to TRT.

Click to expand...

Lack of energy and the presence of fatigue is one of the typical symptoms of hypogonadism. It's a safe bet that all of us dealt with it.

My main concern was brain fog, I'm so happy it's gone.

AntCon said:

@Virginian - Man , too know your osteoporosis is gone since starting TRT is amazing. Hopefully others with osteoporosis will see this and possibly get be able to do the same. What were your Testosterone levels at before TRT of you don't mind me asking?

Click to expand...

Note that while I did havea big improvement in bone density and am out of the osteoporosis range, I am still below normal, which is the osteopenia. A good result, but not miraculous.

Before TRT my TT was 270, which is below normal range, but not catastrophic. I did not have extreme fatigue or drained energy, but I have a lot more energy now.

My dad is 70 and just had his BW done. TT was 500. I am 45 and before TRT it was 365. Brain fog and headache for almost 2 years. Gone! I wasn't big to begin with, but in 3 months since starting T I am down a notch on my belt without even realizing it. Can stay up past 7pm, don't ache in the morning as bad.

I have never taking Rx besides advil and antibiotics maybe twice in 25 years. 2 years ago I was doing advil daily because I thought I was just getting headaches. Have only taken twice in Three months now. I can think erections now.

Please see my threads...

https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?8911-My-journey-so-far-with-low-testosterone

Yeah , my brain fog is out of control. Somedays I just feel numb... I did take dutasteride and finasteride off and on and stopped 2 years before all of my health issues came. I've read about the post syndrome from those drugs but I doubt I'd barely start developing symptoms 2 years after stopping.

Wow yea my TT was 281 as of 1 1/2 months ago. So I'm almost positive I'd atleast notice some sort of positive side affects with higher T