Opinion Needed About Taking Testosterone

[melabarb]

I was wondering if I could get some input from anybody who would be willing to share his expertise.....I have suffered from low-grade depression for a long time and 4-5 years ago my total testosterone was consistently ~350 ng/dL [250-1100]. Over the past 2-3 years, my total testosterone values have been fine, never dropping below 500 ng/dL. I have never taken testosterone but was on clomid and stopped taking it in March of 2018 (felt awful). My latest test value (taken July 2018) was 860 ng/dL. Other latest values: free testosterone was 92.0 pg/mL [35-155], SHBG is out of range at 57 nmol/L [10-50], DHEAs is 170 mcg/dL [70 - 495]. My thyroid values are optimal and I have had every test done possible on it. My doctor decided to place me on testosterone with my current value of 860 ng/dL as he said, "I want to treat your symptoms" (low libido and depression), "not just look at the numbers." Do you think taking testosterone could help? Is DHEA an option? Thanks

 

[Vince]

My doctor decided to place me on testosterone with my current value of 860 ng/dL as he said, "I want to treat your symptoms" (low libido and depression), "not just look at the numbers." Do you think taking testosterone could help? Is DHEA an option? Thanks

If your testosterone is that high, you're wasting your time going on TRT. DHEA will only lower your T and raise your estrogen.

 

[1Draw]

Agree with what Vince said. I would post your thyroid labs with ranges. At a minimum is TSH, FT3, FT4, Reverse T3, TPO Antibodies. With testosterone levels that you have your symptoms should not be testosterone related IMO. We have some very good thyroid members here who can help. Symptoms of low T and hypothyroidism are very similar.

https://www.restartmed.com/thyroid-symptoms-men/

 

[CoastWatcher]

Did your doctor discuss the fact that very shortly after starting a TRT protocol your natural production of testosterone will cease? There is no such thing as a "testosterone booster." You mention depression, are you dealing with other issues possibly associated with your androgens?

 

[ratbag]

I calculate your free T at 1.63% or 14 ng/dl. With your high SHBG it's no surprise you don't feel well. I would think TRT would increase your free T substantially and make you feel better. 1Draw is correct we should see what your thyroid results are simply because the large majority of MD's do not look at thyroid labs properly. Can you share your labs with us? Also would be helpful to know your E2 sensitive and Ferritin.

 

[DragonBits]

Neurotransmitter panel

I would get a Neurotransmitter panel similar to the one life extension offers for $199, maybe your doctor can prescribe it and insurance can pay, maybe not.

Here is their description.

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DESCRIPTION

• Neurotransmitter Panel
• Item Catalog Number: LC100058

Urinary neurotransmitter (NT) levels provide an overall assessment of your body's ability to make and break down neurotransmitters and are representative of whole body levels. Whole body neurotransmitter levels correlate with symptoms and provide a valuable tool for achieving balance and wellbeing. This panel contains the following 9 neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitter High levels in urine Low levels in urine Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being May contribute to anxiety, high blood pressure, irritability, and low libido Associated with depression, worry, obsessive thoughts, carbohydrate cravings, PMS, difficulty with pain control, sleep disturbances, and IBS GABA functions as the brain's major inhibitory neurotransmitter Associated with sluggish energy, feelings of sedation, and foggy thinking Implicated in feeling stressed, overwhelmed and/or irritable, impulsivity, anxiety, ADHD, and seizure disorders Dopamine regulates the pleasure/reward pathway, memory, and motor control May contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety and schizophrenia. May also be related to autism, mood swings, psychosis, and attention disorders Associated with memory issues, loss of motor control, cravings, compulsions, loss of satisfaction, and addictive behaviors Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) Involved in a wide variety of actions including attention, focus, regulating heart rate, affecting blood flow, and suppressing inflammation Linked to anxiety, stress, elevated blood pressure, and hyperactivity Associated with lack of energy, focus, and motivation Epinephrine (Adrenaline) is heavily involved in the acute stress response and helps regulate muscle contraction, heart rate, glycogen breakdown, and blood pressure Associated with ADHD, hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep issues, and acute stress response Leads to difficulty concentrating, fatigue, depression, insufficient cortisol production, chronic stress, poor recovery from illness, and dizziness Glutamate functions as the brain's major excitatory neurotransmitter Can cause excitotoxicity, a process that damages nerve cells through excessive stimulation. Associated with panic attacks, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, OCD, and depression May result in agitation, memory loss, sleeplessness, low energy levels, and depression Glycine is inhibitory and plays a dual role as both a NT and an amino acid. Glycine improves sleep quality, calms aggression and serves as an anti-inflammatory agent May be associated with compromised cognitive processing May contribute to poor sleep, poor cognitive function and issues with memory Histamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the sleep/wake cycle and inflammatory response May be associated with allergy-like symptoms, gastro-intestinal concerns and inflammation May affect digestion and appetite control, learning, memory and mood and may result in drowsiness PEA (Phenylethlyamine) promotes energy, elevates mood, regulates attention and aggression, and serves as a biomarker for ADHD May contribute to anxiety with very high levels having amphetamine-life effects. May be associated with higher cortisol levels May be associated with ADHD, depression, Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorder

 

[Kirk001]

I don't know how much research you've done into all this stuff but I would do a ton of reading and this site is a great place to start. I'm going to disagree with some of the others and say I like how this doc is thinking. It's still a serious decision that you have to weigh and get as much info as you can, do your research etc, but I like that this doc wants to treat your symptoms rather than your numbers.

Are you still depressed or having symptoms? Did you start the Clomid when your total T was below 350, or did it just increase on its own over time to the 500s before you started Clomid?

A total T of 860 means nothing to me if we're talking about Clomid. I am biased perhaps but I can tell you from first-hand experience that Clomid pushed my total T levels well over 1,000 and I didn't feel one single benefit.

So you have natural T levels somewhere in the 300s - 500s. You say you've looked into thyroid issues already. Low libido and depression. Clomid was no help. You have a doc willing to help. I personally would definitely be looking at taking testosterone if I were in your shoes. Definitely preferable to an SSRI as far as I'm concerned.

But like I said you have to do the research. Taking test alone will suppress your fertility, possibly to zero. Adding HCG to the protocol should mitigate the suppression but it will still likely lower your fertility. And if your sperm count was marginal to begin with, fertility could be an issue.

Anxiety and depression I know are debilitating... you have to do everything you can to fix them. A lot of guys have said that test helped them in this area. But you need to do your research and weigh all the pros and cons.