New to the community

[Rawaan]

Hi, just joined the form. Need some advice but, first let me give you some background information about myself. I started TRT in 2011. Some times before that I was having all the symptoms of low testosterone however, I had difficulty understanding what my problem was so one day I had to help my wife lift a mattress and I couldn't and I'm very athletic. So I went to see my GP and told my symptoms including lack of libido and weak erection. Ordered blood test and guess my testosterone level; it was at the bottom 3.1. I was put on testogel 5mg. And I was reborn again and felt great however, 3 years later some symptoms come back again and the dose was increased now I've to take 2 sachets of testogel 10mg daily. All symptoms gone but PSA gone up (2.0 and now3.9) hemoglobin went high as well 16.9. In addition to that it seems that I'm not absorbing testogel well lately and as I was feeling symptoms like lack of libido, depression and weak erection again and my last blood test come back with testosterone 6.5. Now my GP Put me on testim and blood test after a month. It seems it is working a little but I couldn't continue taking as it is sticking up on clothes and I've to rip off my shirt when taking off. I've no idea what to do next. Help needed. Thanks

 

[ERO]

Many guys like yourself find that topical Testosterone works at first but then stops being effective over time. Your best bet is to get a new doctor that understands TRT and modern TRT protocols. You should be on twice weekly Testosterone injections (at a minimum) along with twice weekly HCG. An AI should only be added if you have overt symptoms or blood work to support its use. Beware any doctors that have a "one size fits all" protocol. Two good sources are Prime Body and Defy Medical, both site sponsors and come highly recommended.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Welcome to Excelmale. As ERO noted, your story isn't unique. Initial success on topical testosterone followed by a return to pre-TRT symptoms. In my own case, Androgel didn't work at all, I just didn't absorb. You didn't post your full labs, so we're not really able to offer any specific comments/questions on them. If your doctor isn't comfortable with moving you to an injection protocol, find another doctor.

 

[Sean Mosher]

Agree with the sentiments above.
I had pretty much the same experience as you have had.
Topicals working for about 2-1/2 years or so then all pre-TRT symptoms returning.
Injections are what I switched too and have found great success and consistency.
I would urge you to look into the same.

Also, if you're looking for a specialist, PM me and I'd be happy to talk with you about the PrimeBody program.
Keep us posted.

 

[Vince]

Like others have said, you should inject both T and HCG every 3 1/2 days. I would be concerned with the PSA.

 

[Rawaan]

True, that is what I have experienced. My last blood test came back with 8.8, just baseline. I asked my GP for injection and he agreed with me. He put me on Sustanon 250 and next week I'll be receiving my first injection.

 

[CoastWatcher]

True, that is what I have experienced. My last blood test came back with 8.8, just baseline. I asked my GP for injection and he agreed with me. He put me on Sustanon 250 and next week I'll be receiving my first injection.

We wish you well. If you'd care to post your full labs, with reference ranges, you would generate some good discussion.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Welcome to EM, glad you joined. As noted by CW, please post labs and we can provide some quality comments ...

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I would have my doctor put me on a prostatitis protocol if my PSA was that high (you are almost at contraindication level of 4 which would make you disqualify for TRT). Prostatitis can cause ED and low libido also.


What Every Man Should Know About Prostatitis

 

[johndoesmith]

OP, you have some of the most knowledgeable members of this forum(and arguably the most informed forum online) involved in this thread, use it to your advantage, if you have any lab results other than presumably a total testosterone level in nmol/l you are guaranteed to receive some very very helpful advice.

Your injection dose and frequency would be a help, age, symptoms or anything else would all be to your benefit to add.

 

[Rawaan]

I'm under the supervision of urologist, however, after blood test( PSA=3.6) and physical examination, I'm told everything is fine and I've nothing to worry about. However, I'll take this information to my GP next appointment and see what he says.

 

[Rawaan]

Hi Nelson,
This are my lab results;
Testosterone: 8.8 nmol/L
Oestradiol: 159 pmol/L
Hemoglobin: 16.9
Lever: 19
Cholesterol 5.3
PSA:3.9
Blood pressure: 132/80/57
what do you make of this? Any advice?
Thanks

 

[CoastWatcher]

Hi Nelson,
This are my lab results;
Testosterone: 8.8 nmol/L
Oestradiol: 159 pmol/L
Hemoglobin: 16.9
Lever: 19
Cholesterol 5.3
PSA:3.9
Blood pressure: 132/80/57
what do you make of this? Any advice?
Thanks

To help us make sense of this we'll need the reference ranges, please. Every lab calibrates and reports to a slightly different standard.

However, just glancing a this, is that your correct PSA? A value of 3.9? No free testosterone, SHBG, or thyroid values?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Rawaan

With a PSA of 3.9 I would at least try antibiotics in case of prostatitis and retest it after a month\

This is what I said above:

I would have my doctor put me on a prostatitis protocol if my PSA was that high (you are almost at contraindication level of 4 which would make you disqualify for TRT). Prostatitis can cause ED and low libido also.


What Every Man Should Know About Prostatitis

 

[Rawaan]

To help us make sense of this we'll need the reference ranges, please. Every lab calibrates and reports to a slightly different standard.

However, just glancing a this, is that your correct PSA? A value of 3.9? No free testosterone, SHBG, or thyroid values?

Thank you for your response. I'll ask a copy of my GP all my blood test results next time I see him. My thyroid came back normal, however, I'm not sure as to whether they check SHBG levels. Never asked before as I didn't know. I'm just Learning all this stuff and what to look for and ask when you're in TRT therapy. These are the reference ranges: Testosterone normal range: 6.7-25.7 nmol/L, oestradiol level: 50-218pmol/L, Hemoglobin:13.5-18

 

[Rawaan]

greetings to all,

I did have my first injection(Sustanon 250) last Thursday and I feel good already (could be more of psychological than injection kicking in). Whilst waiting for my injection I've had a conversation with my GP (nice guy, he is also a bodybuilder) in which he told that most of his colleagues at the surgery did not believe in TRT and say it is all mental and it is part of getting old. Sounds familiar isn't? I should be lucky to have him as my GP, he was the one who had recognized my symptoms and put me on TRT therapy in the first place. My next injection is after 20 days. (he told that he'll do first according to the book) and adjust if need be after the blood test. In the meantime, i'll update you on my progress and publish my complete blood test result next time.Thank you all and have a nice holiday.

 

[johndoesmith]

greetings to all,

I did have my first injection(Sustanon 250) last Thursday and I feel good already (could be more of psychological than injection kicking in). Whilst waiting for my injection I've had a conversation with my GP (nice guy, he is also a bodybuilder) in which he told that most of his colleagues at the surgery did not believe in TRT and say it is all mental and it is part of getting old. Sounds familiar isn't? I should be lucky to have him as my GP, he was the one who had recognized my symptoms and put me on TRT therapy in the first place. My next injection is after 20 days. (he told that he'll do first according to the book) and adjust if need be after the blood test. In the meantime, i'll update you on my progress and publish my complete blood test result next time.Thank you all and have a nice holiday.

I don't think your doc is as informed as you think he is.

He didn't order LH and FSH. No SHBG to direct the treatment protocol.

Most alarmingly is that you're getting your injections once every 21 days!!!!!

Do not go forward with treatment without getting LH and FSH at minimum, you may be secondary and able to try clomid, or any other number of reversible conditions.

I understand it's not your fault, but when people say they were "normal" talking about their lab tests, it is an utterly meaningless statement.

Here's an analogy: If you went to a job interview, and you asked about the salary and the interviewer said "it's normal". Would you take the job?

 

[Vettester Chris]

greetings to all,

I did have my first injection(Sustanon 250) last Thursday and I feel good already (could be more of psychological than injection kicking in). Whilst waiting for my injection I've had a conversation with my GP (nice guy, he is also a bodybuilder) in which he told that most of his colleagues at the surgery did not believe in TRT and say it is all mental and it is part of getting old. Sounds familiar isn't? I should be lucky to have him as my GP, he was the one who had recognized my symptoms and put me on TRT therapy in the first place. My next injection is after 20 days. (he told that he'll do first according to the book) and adjust if need be after the blood test. In the meantime, i'll update you on my progress and publish my complete blood test result next time.Thank you all and have a nice holiday.

Don't want you take any of these comments the wrong way, but this is just a poorly conducted protocol! First, in bolds, what book is he talking about? At 3 weeks your serum levels will be completely at baseline! Totally agree that LH & FSH are a MUST for any diagnosis to be complete. Although, you do say you started TRT in 2011 with your first post, so maybe there was a primary or secondary diagnosis made at that point (?) ...

 

[Rawaan]

I don't think your doc is as informed as you think he is.

He didn't order LH and FSH. No SHBG to direct the treatment protocol.

Most alarmingly is that you're getting your injections once every 21 days!!!!!

Do not go forward with treatment without getting LH and FSH at minimum, you may be secondary and able to try clomid, or any other number of reversible conditions.

I understand it's not your fault, but when people say they were "normal" talking about their lab tests, it is an utterly meaningless statement.

Thanks for your insight, I've no idea whether my condition was primary or secondary and I don't think my GP has even checked this issue to begin with or he would have talked to me the options available. I'm guessing that by seeing my low T he advised me to start TRT therapy.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I don't think your doc is as informed as you think he is.

He didn't order LH and FSH. No SHBG to direct the treatment protocol.

Most alarmingly is that you're getting your injections once every 21 days!!!!!

Do not go forward with treatment without getting LH and FSH at minimum, you may be secondary and able to try clomid, or any other number of reversible conditions.

I understand it's not your fault, but when people say they were "normal" talking about their lab tests, it is an utterly meaningless statement.

Thanks for your insight, I've no idea whether my condition was primary or secondary and I don't think my GP has even checked this issue to begin with or he would have talked to me the options available. I'm guessing that by seeing my low T he advised me to start TRT therapy.

If you don't become your own advocate, nobody else will. You already have a PSA value that most doctors would be very alarmed over and want to investigate. Has that been addressed?