Feelings about TRT

[Bishop]

Just curious if any of you guys had mixed feelings about getting started on TRT. I'm the type to over analyze everything and I kept asking myself should I just deal with the symptoms or try TRT and see if it helps.

I've been in the 200-300s since early 20s. All other blood work has been normal. Even LH, TSH. The only thing out of whack was T. The only cause I can think of was I had a very severe blow to my boys when I was about 11. I don't know if that could have changed anything.

It's hard to want to take the plunge into TRT when you don't really have a point of reference. I have suffered a good bit from anxiety and depression as well as only feeling interested in sex about every month or so. Even then most times I could take it or leave it.

I've always been healthy. I eat clean and lift 4-5 days a week. Have about a 14-15% body fat before I started the treatment.

Maybe too much info but I just wanted to see if anyone else was on the fence before they got started and how it went for you.

Thanks!

 

[Nelson Vergel]

How old are you?

Its understandable to be concerned about a long term commitment like TRT. You can always try it and if you don't think it's for you, you can stop it with a post TRT program with Clomid and HCG.

Some of us did not have a choice. We were miserable and would try anything. In my case (long story), this decision was a matter of life and death.

 

[Bishop]

I'm about to turn 40. The decision definitely wasn't life and death but it isn't helping my marriage or life much either.

I'm going to give it time to work and compare my results to the way I have been living. That's really the only way to make a fair decision I think.

 

[ERO]

That is a sound plan. The 2 cents that I would add would be sure you start with a doc that truly understands TRT. Many of us, myself included, started TRT with a doc that was not really up on the latest (old-school ideas like one shot every 2 weeks, not using the right E2 tests, etc...), and the results were no improvement over how we felt before starting treatment. Additionally, I know you said you'd give it time to work, which is right - just be sure that by 'time' you are mentally prepared for 4-6 weeks. Some guys are lucky and feel great right away and I hope you fall into that group, but many of us take 4-6 weeks to adjust to any new protocol and start feeling good.

 

[Bishop]

Haha not exactly feeling great right away. Starting this has kicked my anxiety up a notch and my glute feels like a horse kicked me.

My doc is pretty good. He has agreed with me to try 200mg every week to start. We can adjust up or down based on blood work. I think he has said he wants to do BW at the 8 week mark. Does this sound acceptable?

Also, once I start doing my own injections I plan to split the dose to 100mg twice a week instead of one 200mg all at once.

At that time I will make sure we ask for the ultra sensitive E2 if he isn't using it already. He's been my doctor for many years and we have a good bit of trust so if I request something or need to talk it over he is not bullheaded about it.

We didn't talk about any AI and he is against HCG. He wasn't against AI but said he didn't want to use it unless the blood work showed it to be necessary.

My E2 at the initial test was 15 on a range of 7.6-42.6.

 

[ERO]

You sound like you are off to a good start and your doc sounds like he has some TRT knowledge. Yes, 8 weeks in is a reasonable first check. Some docs do 4 weeks, but 8 if fine as well. It is best to test and see if you need an AI or not rather than start out with one as he is doing. (good for him!) HCG can be hugely helpful for some guys and do nothing for others (like me) but having a doc that refuses to consider it at all is kinda' frustrating. I would push for doing your own injections sooner rather than later though, and not wait for the 8 week check to make the switch to your own injections if possible.

How long has it been since your fist shot? (Sorry if you posted it and I missed it)

 

[Bishop]

No problem! I got it Friday afternoon so about 2 days.

I'm not terribly worried about the HCG at the moment. I'm done having kids. I'm also not worried about some shrinkage. If it gets really bad I will try to find another source for it.

My BP is up but I am attributing that to just the anxiety and the pain. I don't think it has been enough time for the shot to have any effect at all on that.

 

[lcvl]

200mg a week is a VERY high dosage to start TRT with.

Careful with that. It could make your E2 levels skyrocket and end up making you feel even more miserable than pre-treatment.

I know that from first hand experience, after having been prescribed a single 250mg T-shot. Hormonal roller coasters are no fun!

 

[ERO]

Agreed. Splitting the 200 mg into two 100 mg doses a week (every 3.5 days) would be a huge improvement over a single 200 mg dose. Far less E2 issues and roller coaster T levels that way.

 

[Bishop]

Man. That's what I was thinking as well. Maybe I can get them to speed up the process of me doing it on my own. Do you think I will have major issues if I have to do the first month or so at their office with the 200mg?

Also, I noticed that my test comes in 1ml ampules which is basically my one dose right now at 200mg. When I do it on my own can you withdraw half and just leave the rest in the bottle? I haven't opened one myself to see. They have like a plastic cap over the bottle.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Agreed. Splitting the 200 mg into two 100 mg doses a week (every 3.5 days) would be a huge improvement over a single 200 mg dose. Far less E2 issues and roller coaster T levels that way.

ERO's point is on the mark, but I wonder how you settled on 200mg to start with? That is usually the top end of the therapeutic dose range. The vast majority of TRT patients do very well with weekly doses of 100 - 160mg per week in divided doses. It is easier to start low and adjust upward.

 

[Bishop]

I'm not sure. Maybe based on my lifestyle and size. I had a huge questionnaire and also talked about past experience with TRT which for me was a pellet implant that I would never do again. However, based on the fact that I felt the best at 1000-1100 from the pellet maybe he was trying to hit that range again.

I really don't know. He said most of his men do best at the top end of the normal range. He said after my blood work if I am over 1100 we will lower the dosage.

 

[craig weston]

Bishop, im new to this so give me some slack but i was in the same range as you and have settled on 50-60mg x2 weekly and not had any negative effects apart from some testicle shrinkage. Im up to early 700`s now and im concerned youre over doing it

 

[ERO]

Some doctors are reluctant to let one do his own injections because they can charge for a weekly office visit if you keep coming to them. I would just ask straight out about doing your own injections at your next visit. It is not rocket science or anything that requires a "trained medical person" to do safely. Get yourself some 27 gauge syringes and you are good to go. If you get your T in 1ml ampules, just draw it out into pre-dosed syringes right away and store them for later use. Say 100 mg per syringe and then inject twice a week, for example.

If he refuses to let you do your own injections, it may be time to look for a new doc as that is ridicules.

 

[Bishop]

Thanks guys! I will ask at my next appointment about doing my injections myself. The syringes will hopefully be here this week anyway.

I didn't choose my dose at 200mg a week. I am trying to just relax and follow the process as he guides me and input from you all. If I start changing things before I even get blood work I am concerned I will confuse the whole process.

I definitely appreciate the input and I will discuss it with him. I just really truly don't want to tinker with too many things before I have data on how I am personally responding.

 

[Bishop]

Just as an additional update. I feel really good today. I felt like I could go forever in the gym. The pain is finally gone from the injection as well.

One rather odd thing. I had noticed over the past year or so a slight decrease of power in my urine stream when I went to bathroom. I've had PSA done at .3 and DRE is normal. So, I never knew what could be happening. Today everything is back to the way it was years ago. I have no idea why that would happen.

 

[craig weston]

Ero, if pre-loading syringes will they store at room temp and the oil not be damaged after being taken out the vial? I purchase !0ml bottles for convience

 

[ERO]

Yes, they should store fine. The same as how the Test in the vials stores at room temperature - but if you are getting a 10ml vial, no need to pre-load anything. I thought you said you are getting it in 1ml vials - the kind where you have to break off the glass top to use them?

 

[Bishop]

My vials are 1ml but they look like mini versions of the 10ml. I've never opened one to see how it works or if you can draw half and leave the rest. I'm assuming if it has the rubber top it should be ok to not use it all at once.