I'm 56, and mostly live a pretty healthy lifestyle, though I have a pretty stressful job and we've had a lot of family stress due to two sick children over the past 8 years. I have always had low normal total T and low to low-normal free T due to relatively high SHBG (has been 47-82 over the years). My other labs are pretty good, except slightly high LDL (when I check fasted labs), but I eat a low carb, whole foods, moderately ketogenic diet so the high LDL is expected. I also have had moderately high TSH at times in the range of about 6, with low free T3. I work out about 4 days per week (strength and high intensity cardio). I take 5 mcg of T3 morning and lunch time which has brought the TSH down. I also take a good amount of other supplements focused on metabolic health and longevity, but I won't list them all for sake of time.
I consulted with a doctor to see if testosterone might help with low libido, difficulty maintaining muscle mass, insomnia and anxiety. I started Testosterone cypionate sub cut. injections at 22mg per day about 10 weeks ago. This was significantly lower than the dose recommended by the prescriber and I thought I was being cautious by doing less but I now realize based on labs and reading posts on the forum that this dose was too high. I have experienced a large increase in libido, more energy in the gym to work out, increase in muscle mass about 8 pounds in 10 weeks) and more overall confidence (with some less anxiety). Insomnia is slightly improved despite this being a very high stress time for me. It also seems to help with some longstanding premature ejaculation issues, which is pretty cool. The negatives are that the libido may be higher than I want and my nipples are full and lightly tender. I notice some mild testicular atrophy and lower volume of ejaculate. I also have a little more subcutaneous fat around my lower abdomen despite feeling leaner in other places. Overall, I am quite happy with the results and would like to keep the positives but in a safe and sustainable way.
Labs were done at about 10:30 am, non-fasted and I did not take the morning dose of T the day of the lab (but did the day before, so it was about 28 hours after the last injection)
My labs before started T injections: After 10 weeks of T injections:
Total T (dialysis method): 386 ng/dl (250-1100) 1446 ng/dl (250-1100)
Free T (dialysis method): 41.8 pg/ml (35-155) 316.7 ng/dl (25-155)
SHBG 47 nm/L (22-77) 37 nm/L (22-77)
estradiol ultrasensitive LC/MS 19 pg/ml (<29) 53 pg/ml (<29)
HCT 44.3 % 51.1 %
LDL 95 mg/dl 87 mg/dl
IGF-1 113 ng/ml (50-317) 145 ng/ml
TSH 1.91mIU/L (0.4-4.5) 1.45 mIU/L
PSA 0.63 ng/ml (<4) 0.91 ng/ml
So, I've lowered the dose of T cypionate to about 18 mg per day once I saw the labs. I am now wondering if I should be lowering it even more (14 mg per day?) or should I give it a few months on the 18 mg per day dose?
I am also contemplating adding HCG as I watched Nelson Vergel's video about the potential brain health benefits and to prevent testicular atrophy. I've been taking pregnenolone 100 mg at night to try to get some of these benefits for the brain but not sure I notice much with it. Any advice or comments about how HCG could play a role for me would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance to those with knowledge and experience who are willing to share some wisdom.
I consulted with a doctor to see if testosterone might help with low libido, difficulty maintaining muscle mass, insomnia and anxiety. I started Testosterone cypionate sub cut. injections at 22mg per day about 10 weeks ago. This was significantly lower than the dose recommended by the prescriber and I thought I was being cautious by doing less but I now realize based on labs and reading posts on the forum that this dose was too high. I have experienced a large increase in libido, more energy in the gym to work out, increase in muscle mass about 8 pounds in 10 weeks) and more overall confidence (with some less anxiety). Insomnia is slightly improved despite this being a very high stress time for me. It also seems to help with some longstanding premature ejaculation issues, which is pretty cool. The negatives are that the libido may be higher than I want and my nipples are full and lightly tender. I notice some mild testicular atrophy and lower volume of ejaculate. I also have a little more subcutaneous fat around my lower abdomen despite feeling leaner in other places. Overall, I am quite happy with the results and would like to keep the positives but in a safe and sustainable way.
Labs were done at about 10:30 am, non-fasted and I did not take the morning dose of T the day of the lab (but did the day before, so it was about 28 hours after the last injection)
My labs before started T injections: After 10 weeks of T injections:
Total T (dialysis method): 386 ng/dl (250-1100) 1446 ng/dl (250-1100)
Free T (dialysis method): 41.8 pg/ml (35-155) 316.7 ng/dl (25-155)
SHBG 47 nm/L (22-77) 37 nm/L (22-77)
estradiol ultrasensitive LC/MS 19 pg/ml (<29) 53 pg/ml (<29)
HCT 44.3 % 51.1 %
LDL 95 mg/dl 87 mg/dl
IGF-1 113 ng/ml (50-317) 145 ng/ml
TSH 1.91mIU/L (0.4-4.5) 1.45 mIU/L
PSA 0.63 ng/ml (<4) 0.91 ng/ml
So, I've lowered the dose of T cypionate to about 18 mg per day once I saw the labs. I am now wondering if I should be lowering it even more (14 mg per day?) or should I give it a few months on the 18 mg per day dose?
I am also contemplating adding HCG as I watched Nelson Vergel's video about the potential brain health benefits and to prevent testicular atrophy. I've been taking pregnenolone 100 mg at night to try to get some of these benefits for the brain but not sure I notice much with it. Any advice or comments about how HCG could play a role for me would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance to those with knowledge and experience who are willing to share some wisdom.
