Hello community,

[Ty1on73]

I am a 42 yo male who has been on TRT for about six (6) months now. In my late 30s I was experiencing many of the symptoms of low T specifically, weight gain, low energy, lack of concentration, and ED. I thought (and so did my shrink) that I had adult ADHD and with mood swings/depression, and was given central nervous system stimulants that just made me feel like I was living in a haze. While visiting my new urologist last fall and going over my slight case of ED and the mood enhancers I was taking, he asked me if I had my testosterone level check. Not knowing, he set me up with LabCorp to be tested. In Oct 2015, I came back with: 281 (Total); 6.8 (free); 17 (Dihydrotestosterone); and 27.6 (Vit. D). Needless to say we discussed my options and I chose to give myself Testosterone cypionate IM injections (.5 cc weekly). After four (4) weeks my Total T was up to 643, Free T was at 21.8 and my Dihydro was 43. We did discover that my Estradiol was high at 44.8 and my Vit. D was still low. The doctor kept me at .5 cc every week and on my own I recently begun taking 50 mg of Zinc, 2 mg of Copper and a Vit. D supplement to see it helps with my levels. I will test again in six weeks and my doctor and I will reassess then.

Early on I knew that TRT would be a lifetime commitment but recently had the revelation that I should not rely on a doctor to solely monitor my hormone levels, mostly because he probably won’t out live me. Therefore, I’ve taken it upon myself to learn as much as I can; I hope to accomplish this through the facts posted in this forum as well as through its user’s own experience and knowledge.


Regards,

Ty

 

[bako]

Welcome aboard! There is a bunch of information here. I also enjoy reading the articles at peaktestosterone. Good information all around. I've found the members here at excelmale to be very accommodating and insightful. Enjoy!

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Ty

Welcome to ExcelMale.com

How are you feeling now?

Do you know if the estradiol test was sensitive (LC/MS)regular (ECLIA)?

Also, did you get your TSH, free T4 and free T3 checked?

Feel free to post blood tests on that folder.

 

[Ty1on73]

Thank you for asking, I am feeling a lot better. I have stopped taking the meds prescribed for the ADHD diagnosis and have just been taking the Test Cyp however, I still seem to feel sluggish at times as well as a little moody. My doctor believes that this may be attributed to the high Estradiol. I tend to agree because it fluctuates- changing from day to day. As far as the test itself it appears to be the Roche ECLIA. As far as your question regarding other test T3, T4 etc. I don't believe I have. I've only been tested twice in the six months and went to my doctor this past Friday to get a new rx. During this he gave me a form to take with me to LabCorp and I will see what he marked. As i mentioned, I have started taking a few supplements and want to wait a few weeks before taking my next test. Plus for some reason my insurance doesn't cover some of the test and it costs me about $175 to get it done. I may be looking into the Discountlabs as an alternate option. I look forward to learning more so I can be proactive in my hormone maintenance.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Welcome, Ty! Glad you joined!!

 

[Vince]

Welcome to Excelmale, like Nelson said make sure the estradiol test was sensitive (LC/MS) for men. A lot of doctors use the female estradiol test.

 

[PAUL-E]

welcome I would encourage you to read the sticky's in http://www.excelmale.com/forumdisplay.php?56-Testosterone-Basics-Questions