So here is my current situation: I am 28 and have felt extreme fatigue, a loss of interest in sex over the past few years, extreme belly fat yet skinny arms/legs regardless of how much I worked out, extreme depression/anxiety and I could never figure out what exactly was wrong with me. I finally ended up getting my testosterone levels checked even though my General Practice Doctor said there was no way I had low T at my age. I got my test results back and sure enough they were low.
Total T: 186 Range: (292-1052)
Free T: 3.5 Range: (4.8-25.0)
I went to see and endocrinologist recommended by my stepfather and all he did was redo my blood work (almost exactly the same results) and called me a few days after he got the results and asked me "Gel or injections?" No questions about if I was concerned about fertility, no information about low testosterone and people my age or what to expect from treatment or if there was a way to eventually be cured. I am not an expert on low testosterone and I am for sure not a Doctor. My first reaction was to take the gel instead of injections. $480 later I got the gel(Androgel %1.62, 2pumps a day) and began using it as recommended daily. A little over 2 weeks in I began feeling worse with all of my symptoms and this may be too much information but when I ejaculated I noticed a lot smaller volume of semen than usual since before I started using Androgel. I called my Doctor the next day to tell him all of my symptoms are worse and about the decrease in volume and he got angry and literally hung up on me saying "This is ridiculous call me in a few weeks". Needless to say I found a new Doctor and I am glad I did but I just wish I found him earlier. I went in to see the new Doctor (Dr. Larry Lipshultz), told him my situation and he said to keep taking the gel, gave me a blood test at his office and told me to get another blood test done in the morning between 8-10am. He scheduled me to see him on Jun 3 but it was my fault I forgot to mention that I would be out of gel by then and I would rather not get the gel again due to price,ineffectiveness, and hassle (in my case) and look into injections or whatever he recommends I try. Today is May 13th and I have only 4-5 days left of gel (still feel horrible and appointment isn't until June 3) and I got my A.M. blood test results back today Total: 212 (Range: 348-1147) Free: 14.8 (Range: 9.3-26.5). So I called my Doc today and they said the earliest they could get me in was May 20th (my birthday of all days). I said that is fine if that is the earliest they could get me in. Sorry for such a long post but I wanted to give everyone a good idea of what my situation is before I ask you guys some questions/advice. First, what does it mean on my most recent blood test that my Total T is low but my Free T is normal range?! (I feel much worse than I did before I started treatment) Also if you guys would recommend injections for someone my age? Gel is a hassle, doesn't seem to work well for me and is REALLY expensive. I flat out cannot afford Androgel. Is having lower semen volume after only 2-3 weeks of treatment normal? Also what are my odds of keeping fertility if my Doc puts me on HCG even though I have been on Androgel for almost a month without it and what should I expect from using both of them at my age? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Thanks a lot to everyone in advance.
Total T: 186 Range: (292-1052)
Free T: 3.5 Range: (4.8-25.0)
I went to see and endocrinologist recommended by my stepfather and all he did was redo my blood work (almost exactly the same results) and called me a few days after he got the results and asked me "Gel or injections?" No questions about if I was concerned about fertility, no information about low testosterone and people my age or what to expect from treatment or if there was a way to eventually be cured. I am not an expert on low testosterone and I am for sure not a Doctor. My first reaction was to take the gel instead of injections. $480 later I got the gel(Androgel %1.62, 2pumps a day) and began using it as recommended daily. A little over 2 weeks in I began feeling worse with all of my symptoms and this may be too much information but when I ejaculated I noticed a lot smaller volume of semen than usual since before I started using Androgel. I called my Doctor the next day to tell him all of my symptoms are worse and about the decrease in volume and he got angry and literally hung up on me saying "This is ridiculous call me in a few weeks". Needless to say I found a new Doctor and I am glad I did but I just wish I found him earlier. I went in to see the new Doctor (Dr. Larry Lipshultz), told him my situation and he said to keep taking the gel, gave me a blood test at his office and told me to get another blood test done in the morning between 8-10am. He scheduled me to see him on Jun 3 but it was my fault I forgot to mention that I would be out of gel by then and I would rather not get the gel again due to price,ineffectiveness, and hassle (in my case) and look into injections or whatever he recommends I try. Today is May 13th and I have only 4-5 days left of gel (still feel horrible and appointment isn't until June 3) and I got my A.M. blood test results back today Total: 212 (Range: 348-1147) Free: 14.8 (Range: 9.3-26.5). So I called my Doc today and they said the earliest they could get me in was May 20th (my birthday of all days). I said that is fine if that is the earliest they could get me in. Sorry for such a long post but I wanted to give everyone a good idea of what my situation is before I ask you guys some questions/advice. First, what does it mean on my most recent blood test that my Total T is low but my Free T is normal range?! (I feel much worse than I did before I started treatment) Also if you guys would recommend injections for someone my age? Gel is a hassle, doesn't seem to work well for me and is REALLY expensive. I flat out cannot afford Androgel. Is having lower semen volume after only 2-3 weeks of treatment normal? Also what are my odds of keeping fertility if my Doc puts me on HCG even though I have been on Androgel for almost a month without it and what should I expect from using both of them at my age? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Thanks a lot to everyone in advance.
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