Newbie

Afternoon Gents. 44 year old male from the UK here.

Firstly, a big thank you to Nelson for sharing and dedicating so much of his time to this subject.

I've been wondering what's up with me for quite some time and the more I started to read about testosterone the penny finally dropped. I managed to convince my GP to do some blood work and my first result was 5.4nmol/l (156ng/dl). This got me referred to an Endocrinologist. I was going to be prescribed Sustanon 250, 1 injection every 4 weeks. However, she wanted to do a further check of my blood so ran a further test, which showed an increase of 8.4nmol/l (242ng/dl). Due to this increase I no longer qualify for TRT therapy as 8.4nmol/l is the threshold level minimum. Perhaps for a 105 year old male!

I've been back to my GP this morning politely questioning my situation and he is going to write to the Endocrinologist asking for an update.

I have to say, I'm really at my wits end. I'm desperate to feel great, sharp focused and just generally interested in life. A lot of the time I just seem to stagger on with zero motivation and a general mental fog. I've felt like this for years and just thought I was a lazy unmotivated individual. Without sounding like I am contradicting myself; my symptoms make me depressed but I don't suffer from clinical depression, if that makes sense. My gregarious attitude has carried me so far in life, masking how I really feel.

Hopefully, I can get some tips as things seem to be less progressive here in the UK regarding TRT.

Regards

Dancingbear

Since you were severely low on the first test and just at the very bottom borderline of "normal" on the second, I would ask for a third test before they write you off and declare that you do not need treatment. I don't know if that is allowed in the UK, but I would sure try. One of my pet peeves is the "normal range" on T levels - like you pointed out, you can be in the "normal range" and have the T levels of a guy that is 85 - but hey you are normal right? You should feel fine! That happens here in the US all of the time as well. There is a chart and graph here (scroll down a bit on the page) that shows T levels for men by age - it is in ng/dl, which I believe is not how it is measured in the UK, but you can still look at it and see how useless the normal ranges can be.

Welcome to Excelmale. I understand that those physicians practicing in the public health system are severely restricted in terms of what they can, and can not, do. It is, essentially, a lab-driven decision. Are you willing to seek private care, at your own expense? There is a well-regarded doctor in London who dedicates his clinic to work in this area.

It's a thought about going private. I actually have a fairly comprehensive private health care policy that doesn't, can you believe, recognise low T as a condition. Yet, if I pull a muscle in my back my treatment cover is open ended, go figure!

Can you recommend any specialists in Scotland?

A friend consulted this clinic in Edinburgh. Once one is dialed in, the cost of ongoing therapy is not too steep (or shouldn't be). http://www.centreformenshealth.co.uk

DancingBear
Welcome
Hang in there. There is a lot of good info here. Also there a lot of guys here that know what you are going thru.
I am with you on the wits end side of life. I have found peace with the fact that time will come when people will begin to take the Low T serious and its effect on us. Standards will have to change as well as practices. Hormones male or female treatments. Doctors will hopefully begin to get it and not base studies off old data.

Welcome all..