Natural restart at age 58½

[T1000]

OK guys, what are your thoughts here?
At age 57

In July 2014:
Total T = 206
Free T = 3.2

I then started TRT with a 15% Testosterone cream + Chrysin.
Three months later:

In October 2014:
Total T = 559
Free T = 7.9

Continuing with the same treatment
Seven months later

In May 2015:
Total T = 635
Free T = 12.3

Continuing with the same treatment
Four months later at age 58:

In September 2015:
Total T = 1200
Free T = 29.2

Then I stopped treatment...cold turkey...four months later on January 7, 2016.
The first 30 days, I did nothing. Then I started taking herbal supplements and
lifting weights 3 days a week. So, now...

On March 10, 2016:
Total T = 453
Free T = 7.4

Does this indicate that my system is working again and manufacturing testosterone on it's own?
Could I benefit further from a round of clomid therapy?
Thanks for your input.

 

[Vince]

T1000, it looks like you are making testosterone again. If you are feeling good and happy with your numbers. I would continue educating yourself and hopefully increase your T even higher.

 

[T1000]

Thanks, Vince! I think I felt better with my highest numbers, but I feel pretty good now. I want to see if I can get the numbers higher naturally.

 

[Vince]

You may be doing this already, use a good zinc supplement. I use jarrow zinc balance and use daily Cialis.

 

[T1000]

OK. Thanks!

 

[GA8314]

Why is it that so many guys get hung up on "natural" this or that?? Do you fret over your BP medication which is surely keeping you out of trouble (lowering cardiovascular risk)? Rarely do I hear about people worrying about their BP, statin (forget the controversy for a second), or other medications.

But, when it comes to Testosterone guys just keep reverting back to "I want to be natural". Look, if you have LOW T, correct it with what actually works. Exogenous testosterone works.

And a dude who is 58?? What is it that you are expecting? Do you really think you're going to suddenly surge to optimal T over the next rest of your life??

Embrace it, and optimize it. You already said you felt better with your higher (more optimal) numbers......

I'm playing the Devil's Advocate and being provocative on purpose, not to be malicious.

 

[T1000]

I appreciate the input.
I had always heard that after long term TRT, especially in us older guys, it was just about impossible for the testes to function again. I wanted to see for myself and I'm surprised that my T levels are better now than prior to TRT. I just want to avoid the physical and financial commitment to TRT for as long as possible. My workouts are going well and like I said, I feel pretty good. I'm giving my restart 6 months to see what happens. I will let you know.
Thanks.

 

[GA8314]

I appreciate the input.
I had always heard that after long term TRT, especially in us older guys, it was just about impossible for the testes to function again. I wanted to see for myself and I'm surprised that my T levels are better now than prior to TRT. I just want to avoid the physical and financial commitment to TRT for as long as possible. My workouts are going well and like I said, I feel pretty good. I'm giving my restart 6 months to see what happens. I will let you know.
Thanks.

Fair enough. I think it's a common concern. Hell, give it a shot and see what happens. I understand the financial cost, but these days you can find cost effective means of TRT. I would prefer to look at it as an investment rather than a cost, however.

T1000, this is not directed at you but more guys need to consider the opportunity cost of NOT having optimal testosterone levels. How much more can you do at work? How many more years of quality living would you have? At some point a great number of men will have substantial declines in T. If you are symptomatic, why fight it? What are you missing in work/life by putzing around with lower than optimal T. Some will never know, I guess.

I'll be the first to admit that TRT isn't the panacea that some make it out to be (me even?? lol) but I just feel it's so important to NOT be low normal. Especially if you are symptomatic, but (and Nelson links to some good studies on this) even if you aren't. What are the health benefits? The mental health benefits? Yes, they are subjective, but they are real.

I just think it's a no brainer, but I do understand it's not for everyone.

 

[Vitamin_C]

I think its pretty amazing that at your age you rebounded quite nicely and even went cold turkey. That is a testament to the body wanting to go back to homeostasis. As long as you aren't primary, it seems that the body tends to bounce back to your pre-TRT levels within a couple months from a lot of anecdotal reports that I have read about. Mike Cernovich, who is an author, quit TRT cold turkey after 2 years on and was at 200 total T within a few weeks and then was at 680 in 2 months doing postural exercises in the gym, he backs it all up with labs, he didn't take Clomid or HCG either. You aren't going to be blasting through life at 1200 anymore but you will still put out some T.

How did you feel shortly after you stopped?

 

[T1000]

So here's a much, much later update...I continued the "natural" route, including a plant-based diet.

Just tested at age 65...
my total T is 649,
Free T is 9.5,
DHEA is 219,
Estradiol is 37.7,
Total cholesterol is 162,
CRP is 0.41,
PSA is 0.8

 

[Systemlord]

The Free T doesn’t look that great and the Free T is a better representation of how much testosterone you're producing.

What is your SHBG?