7 months on T injections & still low libido and erectile issues

[EDHSJAL]

I just turned 66 and had been having erectile issues since around age 52. In my earlier years, I had a very strong libido. Initially take 10mg of Cialis produced a raging erection, but after a few years it didn't seem to help as much. When I turned 60 things started to get from bad to really bad. Aside from erectile issues, my libido started to dwindle to nothing and penis pleasure sensations diminished dramatically. I got fed up with my health plan doctors who were essentially not too well informed on these matters. My T level was around 400 when I was 60 and eventually dropped to 205ng/dl with a free level at 31pg/dl.

I went to an alternative MD who got me on compounded T creme for 6 months, but it was not working too well then switched me to T-cypionate injections at 100mg (.5ml) per week. After 6 weeks, my total T shot up to 839ng/dl and free T at 135pg/dl. My libido was still zilch. After about 10 weeks I felt a bit of Libido coming back, but still had erectile issues. With 20mg of Cialis, I'd get a so so erection, but would lose it after about 20-30 minutes. Penis pleasurable sensations continued to drop.

I've been on T-injections for about 7 months now and my latest total T is now at 1039ng/dl with a free level at 213.8pg/dl. My estradiol is at 48pg/dl. Libido seem to have slipped backwards again with the same erectile issues and lost of pleasure sensations. My nipples started to be a bit sensitive and extruded and felt a little raw.

I've added HCG (1000 IU/week) for going on 4 weeks now and have not noticed any improvement in libido or pleasure sensations.

For awhile my concentration came back and my strength definitely increased in the gym and muscles started to pump up again. Lately my concentration had gotten worst again. About 4 weeks ago when I started HCG, I switched from once a week injections to twice a week, splitting my T and HCG injections in half each time.

I've also had enlarged prostate issues. So I don't know if this is what's affecting my libido and erectile function. Any comments or suggestions ?

 

[davidrn]

When an optimal E2 level is discussed, 22-25 is the common range, you are at 48. Unless you left it out of the posting, sounds like you aren't taking an AI. Did your alternative MD comment on the E2 level?

 

[EDHSJAL]

Sorry, my naturopathic MD had me on Myomin, a natural supplement that keeps the estrogen from getting too out of control. He said estradiol at 48 is not really too high and a lot of his clients on T injections are often around 60. I mentioned my nipples were a little raw and he said something about reducing the amount of T per injection but hadn't given me any specific instructions yet.

 

[davidrn]

It sounds like the supplement isn't working and you may need to try an actual med to bring it down. I bought research lab Arimidex, in liquid form, I take 2 drops a day,(40 drops = a ml)last E2 for me was 25.1. I may cut that down or even eliminate it, when I reduce my DHEA and Pregnenolone doses. Sorry, but a Naturopath is not an MD, they aren't even legal in my state, I found an alternative MD for myself was a Functional MD. I have 2 functional MDs, my PCP and my Rheumatologist. My Urologist is not, but we are on the same page as far as TRT, he reads this forum and some of the Steroid forums to keep up to date.

 

[EDHSJAL]

My doctor is a real MD but also trained in naturopathic medicine.

A little bit more about myself. I am overall in pretty good health. I've been working out since I was 25 and try to eat healthy, but I'll have some junk food here and there. My waistline had always been my gauge on when to be more strict on my diet. My weight had never gone up more than 7-8 pounds from where I want to be and I always manage to get it back down through exercise and eating correctly. My father had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. From him I learned what not to do. I do not have diabetes. Over the years my BP had gotten up to 140/90 a couple of times for a brief period. I've been taking L-Citrulline for several years now. I take about 4 grams a day, mixing it in a juice drink (apple or pear, various forms of kale, collard greens, beets, ginger, celery, carrot, cucumber etc) that I have everyday. My BP is usually 100-110/ 60-70. I use to take L- Arginine but read that most of it gets destroyed in our digestive tract. L-Citrulline is a better choice. It helps our body produce its' own L-Arginine, which in turn produces Nitric Oxide to help relax our blood vessels. This in turn results in lower blood pressure. Also my muscles stay hard and maintain the pump much better even when I miss workouts due to a demanding work schedule at times. I'm 66, but from the outside people that don't know me usually think I'm between 45 to early 50s. My cholesterol is not perfect. Overall is around 202. My LDL is a bit higher than it should (around 139) and my HDL fluctuates from good to needs improvement based on my workouts and diet.

I just want to provide a general baseline on my health. Also, my prostate started to enlarge when I was around 44. It was never a real problem except for the urgency to go from time to time. In the last 6 years the urgency got worse and I've been getting up every 2 hours or so in the evenings. This is also about the same time when I started experiencing low T symptoms (couldn't concentrate and stay focused, irritable, loss of strength, muscles not responding to exercise, loss of libido, ED, loss of penile pleasurable sensations).

Although my T Level is at a healthy level today, there's still obviously something else going on, but at least I've eliminated my T-level as being the main culprit. I'm hoping I'll find the answer from perusing this forum and input from other members.

 

[Vince]

Sorry, my naturopathic MD had me on Myomin, a natural supplement that keeps the estrogen from getting too out of control. He said estradiol at 48 is not really too high and a lot of his clients on T injections are often around 60. I mentioned my nipples were a little raw and he said something about reducing the amount of T per injection but hadn't given me any specific instructions yet.

you should read this post on estrogen=Role of Estradiol in Men and Its Management

Read more at: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?2309-Role-of-Estradiol-in-Men-and-Its-Management

 

[EDHSJAL]

Thank you Vince. Yes, I read that last night, There is so much info here. I just hadn't had time to go through everything yet.