New to TRT

[Joe Martin]

I'm 22 years old, was told yesterday my testosterone was at 197.
I was a heroin addict from the age of 12-17, my energy has been low for most my life and I finally went and asked my doctor what I could do because it was impacting my life. He said due to my early childhood drug use it must have ruined my natural production.

Anyways my question is this, I was given an injection yesterday.. I have no idea what kind of TEST or what dosage. (my bad for not asking.) but I dont go back in for the next one for 4 weeks... from my reading that seems way too long from now?

Yesterday - 1 injection
4 weeks later - 1 injections
2 weeks from the 2nd injections - blood work.

does this seem right??

 

[Vince]

Joe, you're way too young for TRT. Your levels will go up by themselves. Just do all the right things, healthy living buddy. "Please get off the T".

 

[MG123]

Doesn't seem right at all. Please find out what you were injected with and how much and report back.

 

[CoastWatcher]

No,not isn't right. It's plain, out-and-out stupid.

Welcome to Excelmale. I am sorry to tell you that the protocol your doctor has proposed is ridiculous. There is no way you are going to feel any better on such an absurd treatment plan. The key to TRT success are smaller, frequent doses - anywhere fro twice a week to daily. The half-life of the drug is such that you will metabolize what was injected and feel miserable if that is the TRT plan you follow. Clearly, you need another doctor.

And you need to be your own advocate. It is critically important to know the amount of any drug you take; not knowing limits what we can discuss with you (though with that crazy schedule it doesn't matter as it just won't work). Please post up your other blood work results: free testosterone, SHBG, your thyroid values, LH, FSH, CBC, PSA, and DHT. At your age, was an axis restart discussed with you?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Joe, you're way too young for TRT. Your levels will go up by themselves. Just do all the right things, healthy living buddy. "Please get off the T".

Years of heroin abuse, which Joe discussed, may well have sent his hormonal access for a fast and furious ride ride to the basement. Absent a restart protocol, which his doctor may or may not have discussed with him, his levels may not rise at all.

 

[Vince]

Years of heroin abuse, which Joe discussed, may well have sent his hormonal access for a fast and furious ride ride to the basement. Absent a restart protocol, which his doctor may or may not have discussed with him, his levels may not rise at all.

They will return to normal, I know many long-term heroin addicts. I also know the intake manager and house man at the Salvation Army - Adult Rehabilitation. Too many problems with TRT for a young man and we all know the number one problem. Trying to make a baby on TRT.

 

[Sean Mosher]

If you have to do injections (assuming a re-start does not work), anything past 7 days is just going to be no bueno.
Every 7 days would be the max, with more frequent smaller dose injections equaling better stability and less fluctuation.

 

[Joe Martin]

No,not isn't right. It's plain, out-and-out stupid.

Welcome to Excelmale. I am sorry to tell you that the protocol your doctor has proposed is ridiculous. There is no way you are going to feel any better on such an absurd treatment plan. The key to TRT success are smaller, frequent doses - anywhere fro twice a week to daily. The half-life of the drug is such that you will metabolize what was injected and feel miserable if that is the TRT plan you follow. Clearly, you need another doctor.

And you need to be your own advocate. It is critically important to know the amount of any drug you take; not knowing limits what we can discuss with you (though with that crazy schedule it doesn't matter as it just won't work). Please post up your other blood work results: free testosterone, SHBG, your thyroid values, LH, FSH, CBC, PSA, and DHT. At your age, was an axis restart discussed with you?

Axis restart?

Thank you for all of that, I have many friends who DO use steroids so I have a vague understanding of frequency needs of supplemental testosterone and it seemed wrong which is why I came here. So thank you, my doctor is very understanding and I assume he just doesn't know. I will bring him some studies, (if you have any you could give me that'd be awesome). To show him that monthly or bi weekly won't sustain blood levels.

If you have to do injections (assuming a re-start does not work), anything past 7 days is just going to be no bueno.
Every 7 days would be the max, with more frequent smaller dose injections equaling better stability and less fluctuation.

Okay, that was my general understanding. Thank you.

They will return to normal, I know many long-term heroin addicts. I also know the intake manager and house man at the Salvation Army - Adult Rehabilitation. Too many problems with TRT for a young man and we all know the number one problem. Trying to make a baby on TRT.

Unfortunately most heroin addicts don't begin before puberty even starts. I have been clean for over 5 years now and that is my current T level, it should be 600(ish) and I've felt like complete crap with no energy for the past 10 years (half on drugs, half sober). Sadly I believe I'm past the 'bounce back'

I appreciate your reply though brother, thank you.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Axis restart?

Thank you for all of that, I have many friends who DO use steroids so I have a vague understanding of frequency needs of supplemental testosterone and it seemed wrong which is why I came here. So thank you, my doctor is very understanding and I assume he just doesn't know. I will bring him some studies, (if you have any you could give me that'd be awesome). To show him that monthly or bi weekly won't sustain blood levels.

Joe, Can you provide a bit more in terms of lab work? What other values did your doctor test for? Can you post the results? Are you taking anything other than the testosterone prescribed in that outlandish protocol? HCG, for testicular vitality/hormonal backfilling?

 

[Joe Martin]

Joe, Can you provide a bit more in terms of lab work? What other values did your doctor test for? Can you post the results? Are you taking anything other than the testosterone prescribed in that outlandish protocol? HCG, for testicular vitality/hormonal backfilling?

Actually I don't, he didn't print them off for me.
I think I'm going to call tomorrow on my way to work and see if he can email me the lab results as well as tell me what type of test and what MG I was given yesterday.
When I get that info I'll get back here with with.

And no, test is the only thing I was injected with and wasn't given anything else

 

[Joe Martin]

Joe, Can you provide a bit more in terms of lab work? What other values did your doctor test for? Can you post the results? Are you taking anything other than the testosterone prescribed in that outlandish protocol? HCG, for testicular vitality/hormonal backfilling?

Also I'm wondering, if it was cypionate which I think is most commonly given, when would I start to feel better (days) and when would that feeling wear off and id start to crash? Because if I go back in and tell him I felt good the first week and then dropped off I'm sure he'd prescribe it more often

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I'm 22 years old, was told yesterday my testosterone was at 197.
I was a heroin addict from the age of 12-17, my energy has been low for most my life and I finally went and asked my doctor what I could do because it was impacting my life. He said due to my early childhood drug use it must have ruined my natural production.

Anyways my question is this, I was given an injection yesterday.. I have no idea what kind of TEST or what dosage. (my bad for not asking.) but I dont go back in for the next one for 4 weeks... from my reading that seems way too long from now?

Yesterday - 1 injection
4 weeks later - 1 injections
2 weeks from the 2nd injections - blood work.

does this seem right??

You have been off heroin for 5 years. Your testosterone is not going to "naturally go up". You may have a dysfunctional HPT axis OR you are taking a medication that is lowering your T. What else are you taking?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Also I'm wondering, if it was cypionate which I think is most commonly given, when would I start to feel better (days) and when would that feeling wear off and id start to crash? Because if I go back in and tell him I felt good the first week and then dropped off I'm sure he'd prescribe it more often

Better, I would think, to go in able to discuss what you've learned about the nature of testosterone - and then tell him how you are/aren't feeling. You deserve better treatment than this initial therapy has given you. Where do you live? Do you have the financial resources to self-fund your treatment (not rely on health insurance) if the cost is reasonable and the doctor is first-rate.

 

[Joe Martin]

You have been off heroin for 5 years. Your testosterone is not going to "naturally go up". You may have a dysfunctional HPT axis OR you are taking a medication that is lowering your T. What else are you taking?

I agree entirely. If it was going to bounce back it would have.

I take creatine and glutamine, fish oil, and a multi vitamin. I don't take anything prescription at all and haven't since I was 17.

 

[Joe Martin]

Better, I would think, to go in able to discuss what you've learned about the nature of testosterone - and then tell him how you are/aren't feeling. You deserve better treatment than this initial therapy has given you. Where do you live? Do you have the financial resources to self-fund your treatment (not rely on health insurance) if the cost is reasonable and the doctor is first-rate.

Okay, I'll do that then. I'll just tell him what I understand to be true and hope he goes and does research himself or calls someone more experienced.
I live in Jacksonville FL, and no, my wife and I are about to have a baby so money definitely isnt available to go outside my GP, definitely need insurance to cover it.

 

[Vince]

Okay, I'll do that then. I'll just tell him what I understand to be true and hope he goes and does research himself or calls someone more experienced.
I live in Jacksonville FL, and no, my wife and I are about to have a baby so money definitely isnt available to go outside my GP, definitely need insurance to cover it.

It's nice to hear that you've been in recovery for 5 years. You must also be very happy to be starting a family. My question would be, what symptoms of low testosterone besides low energy did (do) you have?

 

[Joe Martin]

It's nice to hear that you've been in recovery for 5 years. You must also be very happy to be starting a family. My question would be, what symptoms of low testosterone besides low energy did (do) you have?

Thank you for your reply.

Low sex drive, extremely low energy, muscle mass is extremely hard to gain and keep, back pain.

I suppose those would be the main ones.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Here are some fundamental principles of TRT derived from Nelson's book.

https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?5823-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

 

[Joe Martin]

Here are some fundamental principles of TRT derived from Nelson's book.

https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?5823-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

That was very helpful, thank you! Nelson shed some light on many of the question I had.

My doctor is mailing me my lab results that resulted in my diagnosis as well as what I was injected with and how much. So I'll check back in next week.

I appreciate all of your replies and help. Thank you.

 

[CoastWatcher]

That was very helpful, thank you! Nelson shed some light on many of the question I had.

My doctor is mailing me my lab results that resulted in my diagnosis as well as what I was injected with and how much. So I'll check back in next week.

I appreciate all of your replies and help. Thank you.

Please stay in touch.