Low T new to this

[brian]

Just got diagnosed with low T. Have been on anti-depressants off and on for a number of years. Just quit Venlafaxine in the spring. Finally someone asked the right questions and tested my T levels and they were in the basement. I am hoping that this explains my anxiety/depression to some extent. I was started off on 50 mg of Testogel per day. It was like a hug fog was removed from my brain literally in the first week. I felt a rush of energy. I am now 5-6 weeks in and this is my latest blood work.
Testosterone 7.0 nmol/L (range is 9-55)
Free T 4.3 nmol/L (range is 4.4 - 14.3)
SHBG 17.6 nmol/L (range is 16.5 - 55.9)
Progesterone 0,7 nmol/L (range is 0.86 - 2.9)

Before starting Testogel the blood work was:
Testosterone 4.7
Free T 3.2
SHBG 12.4

My GP wants to wait and see what happens now. What should I ask and focus on for now? I get these insomnia nights now 1-2 days a week and am feeling extremely nervous throughout the day.

B

 

[Gene Devine]

Hi Brian - Can you tell us more about yourself? Need to know everything like age, meds, lifestyle, history...

You are feeling anxiety because your SHBG levels are low and this is a common side effect.

Your levels are still low despite coming up from your baseline....they need to come up more

Can you tell what our Testosterone Replacement protocol is weekly besides the gel? HCG? Estrogen management?

Is your Physician trained properly in Testosterone Replacement Therapy in men? In other words does he know all the labs he needs to monitor? Did he prescribe HCG? Did he test estrogen levels? PSA? Hematocrit?

Those last questions are very important...

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I am yet to see a reference on SHBG and anxiety. Gene, have you seen one?

TRT may make some men more energetic which could lead to sleep issues.

Poor sleep can cause anxiety due to decreased coping due to fatigue.

IF this issue does not stabilize, consider taking melatonin before dinner. 3 mg is a good starting dose. Also limit your caffeine after 2 pm.

 

[Gene Devine]

I am yet to see a reference on SHBG and anxiety. Gene, have you seen one?

TRT may make some men more energetic which could lead to sleep issues.

Poor sleep can cause anxiety due to decreased coping due to fatigue.

IF this issue does not stabilize, consider taking melatonin before dinner. 3 mg is a good starting dose. Also limit your caffeine after 2 pm.

I've spoken to Dr. Crisler on low SHBG and symptoms and he stated that one of the bigger sides of low SHBG is anxiety.

 

[brian]

I don´t think that I am fatigued. I wake refreshed after 5 hours of sleep and don´t seem to need more. Given my starting point is it likely that in two months time the Testogel will bring my levels up to normal for a 45 year old?

 

[CoastWatcher]

I initially presented with levels similar to yours. Androgel, which I was prescribed, failed to do much to move the numbers (though it worked wonderfully for two friends of mine). The point Gene raised regarding your doctor's experience and comfort in treating men with androgen deficits is critical. I was fortunate to find such a physician. This forum has helped me, a newcomer, develop the ability to speak to this with confidence. You will be able to do that, too.

 

[brian]

What worked for you CoastWatcher?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Discontinuing gels and starting injections. It was a night and day difference. Please don't misunderstand - I am still working hard to balance/tune my protocol as my numbers aren't yet where my doctor and I want them to be. However, I am confident that injections, in my case, are the right path.

 

[brian]

My T levels and the rest have doubled or so but are still just below minimums. Doc wants me to double my dose and see me after a month again. I am happy with progress although maybe a little slow. Probably because I am impatient. He was going to refer me to an endo but he seems very confident in what he is doing and has over 20 patients on T.

He said he did not want to inject me with depo injections and take it slow and gradual and see where the Testogel leads us.

 

[CoastWatcher]

My T levels and the rest have doubled or so but are still just below minimums. Doc wants me to double my dose and see me after a month again. I am happy with progress although maybe a little slow. Probably because I am impatient. He was going to refer me to an endo but he seems very confident in what he is doing and has over 20 patients on T.

He said he did not want to inject me with depo injections and take it slow and gradual and see where the Testogel leads us.

Slowly tuning the protocol makes a lot of sense. And, yeah, it's frustrating for me to be still adjusting step-by-step. My decision to abandon gels and move to injections was made only after a fairly lengthy attempt to get it right with Androgel; it became clear over time that topicals were not going to do it for me.

How long have you been applying Testogel?

 

[brian]

7 weeks applying now I think

 

[brian]

Been very anxious this week after doubling the dose. I do not have ruminating thoughts anymore although I am totally obsessed about this anxiety and it scares the shits out of me although I know it is just body symptoms. I am wondering if I should go on Venlafaxine to reduce anxiety or try to battle it out. My GP says he cannot give me a timeframe on when my T levels will be in the normal range for my age.

My third test was on the 10th of Dec about 6 weeks going then with Androgel.
Testosterone 8.1 nmol/L
Free T 5.0 nmol/L
SHBG 17.8 nmol/L
Progesterone 0.8 nmol/L
Prolactin 11 mug/l
TSH 1.1 mU/L
FT4 18.9 pmol/L
FT3 5.5 pmol/L
PSA 0.37 mug/l
HCG 0.37 U/l


Second test after a month
Testosterone 7.0 nmol/L (range is 9-55)
Free T 4.3 nmol/L (range is 4.4 - 14.3)
SHBG 17.6 nmol/L (range is 16.5 - 55.9)
Progesterone 0,7 nmol/L (range is 0.86 - 2.9)
Estradiol 102 pmol/l (range is below 206)
Prolactin 6.1 pmol/l
FSH 2.3 U/l
LH 3.5 U/l

Before starting Testogel the blood work was:
Testosterone 4.7
Free T 3.2
SHBG 12.4