For the last year have been experiencing anxiety, minor depression, ED issues, lowered libido, etc. Had some ED issues in college as well, but has it under control for last 7-8 years or so. I am 35 and married with 2 kids.
First went to doc for anxiety and ED issues in June of 2014. He did blood work. Everything was good except for B-12 and T-levels (250.88). I started taking B-12 at his suggestions and starting working out and losing weight. I am now in best shape of my life. At worst point (3 years ago) I was 212 lbs at 5'8'..Now I am 162 lb.
In October 2014 went to urologist b/c was still having ED and anxiety issues. He did blood work and my numbers were up slightly to 279.9 (probably from some weight loss and lifestyle changes). He gave me a trial of 5 mg cialis for daily use. My wife was freaked out by the cialis, so I didn't use it. Had previously been fine with the ED stuff for a very long time, so I don't think it is mechanical anyway.
After antidepressants, anxiety meds, much weight loss, etc., I decided to go back to urologist to check T levels again (with wife's blessing). Numbers up again to 281.9 on 5/4/15, but still low for my age(or at all!). Se we decided to try TRT.
I just started T-gel a little over a week ago. The script was for Testim, but the pharmacy gave me the new generic brand (which annoyingly cost more than the preferred Testim, but that is not a real issue at this point). I use one 5 mg tube in the am each day, and this is my 8th day.
At the start (first 3 days), I felt pretty good. Energy way up, some morning wood, a few spontaneous erections, feeling pumped about the prospect of getting better..
For the last 4 days, I've felt pretty bad: lower energy, no morning wood at all, no spontaneous erections, a much lower libido, and most distressingly a very much increased anxiety level.
For the last year or so I have been battling anxiety, but it had been reasonably in check. A few days after starting the gel it has roared back (So much so that i have had to use my xanax to manage it).
So basically instead of the desired effects, the gel has resulted in the opposite: more anxiety, less erection quality and frequency, and a very low libido (lower than before starting).
I did some research online (I know, always a bad idea), and some guys on TRT suggest taking DIM (it's an estrogen blocker supplement). I took one last night to see if that was the problem. (I know that sometimes the T can convert to E2 in some men, which would lead to the negative symptoms I was experiencing). This morning I woke up in a worse place emotionally.
Some other sources seemed to indicate the exogenous T can shut down the body's own natural production as well.
So, I am writing to ask a few questions of any seasoned veterans of TRT and/or medical professionals (I also emailed these to my urologist as well):
1- if this is normal (i.e. this will pass and then my levels will start going up and I'll feel good and I should just stay the course and stick it out)?
2- should I be taking the DIM estrogen blocker or is it unnecessary (or even a negative addition)?
3- should we try to increase/decrease my dose? Some people seem to have better success on 2 tubes a day
4. -is the downward symptomatic trend just my body shutting down its own production and we need to wait for the exogenous T to build up and elevate my levels and all will be well in the near future?
5. -are shots a better option (particularly cypionate)? most people see them as much more effective than the transdermals.
Right now I have an appointment to see my doctor next on June 4th for a check up/blood draw/numbers check in reevaluation of method and dosing of treatment.
I appreciate any an all advice/suggestions/encouragement..
Thanks!
First went to doc for anxiety and ED issues in June of 2014. He did blood work. Everything was good except for B-12 and T-levels (250.88). I started taking B-12 at his suggestions and starting working out and losing weight. I am now in best shape of my life. At worst point (3 years ago) I was 212 lbs at 5'8'..Now I am 162 lb.
In October 2014 went to urologist b/c was still having ED and anxiety issues. He did blood work and my numbers were up slightly to 279.9 (probably from some weight loss and lifestyle changes). He gave me a trial of 5 mg cialis for daily use. My wife was freaked out by the cialis, so I didn't use it. Had previously been fine with the ED stuff for a very long time, so I don't think it is mechanical anyway.
After antidepressants, anxiety meds, much weight loss, etc., I decided to go back to urologist to check T levels again (with wife's blessing). Numbers up again to 281.9 on 5/4/15, but still low for my age(or at all!). Se we decided to try TRT.
I just started T-gel a little over a week ago. The script was for Testim, but the pharmacy gave me the new generic brand (which annoyingly cost more than the preferred Testim, but that is not a real issue at this point). I use one 5 mg tube in the am each day, and this is my 8th day.
At the start (first 3 days), I felt pretty good. Energy way up, some morning wood, a few spontaneous erections, feeling pumped about the prospect of getting better..
For the last 4 days, I've felt pretty bad: lower energy, no morning wood at all, no spontaneous erections, a much lower libido, and most distressingly a very much increased anxiety level.
For the last year or so I have been battling anxiety, but it had been reasonably in check. A few days after starting the gel it has roared back (So much so that i have had to use my xanax to manage it).
So basically instead of the desired effects, the gel has resulted in the opposite: more anxiety, less erection quality and frequency, and a very low libido (lower than before starting).
I did some research online (I know, always a bad idea), and some guys on TRT suggest taking DIM (it's an estrogen blocker supplement). I took one last night to see if that was the problem. (I know that sometimes the T can convert to E2 in some men, which would lead to the negative symptoms I was experiencing). This morning I woke up in a worse place emotionally.
Some other sources seemed to indicate the exogenous T can shut down the body's own natural production as well.
So, I am writing to ask a few questions of any seasoned veterans of TRT and/or medical professionals (I also emailed these to my urologist as well):
1- if this is normal (i.e. this will pass and then my levels will start going up and I'll feel good and I should just stay the course and stick it out)?
2- should I be taking the DIM estrogen blocker or is it unnecessary (or even a negative addition)?
3- should we try to increase/decrease my dose? Some people seem to have better success on 2 tubes a day
4. -is the downward symptomatic trend just my body shutting down its own production and we need to wait for the exogenous T to build up and elevate my levels and all will be well in the near future?
5. -are shots a better option (particularly cypionate)? most people see them as much more effective than the transdermals.
Right now I have an appointment to see my doctor next on June 4th for a check up/blood draw/numbers check in reevaluation of method and dosing of treatment.
I appreciate any an all advice/suggestions/encouragement..
Thanks!
