You are only a week in!
Bad move getting caught up on experiencing any ups/downs especially when it comes to libido/erectile function.
Way too early to be jumping the gun here.
Your hormones are in FLUX and T levels will be rising over the following weeks and the body is trying to adjust to the increase in T and it's metabolites and throw in increase in dopamine too!
Even then once blood levels have stabilized (4-6 weeks TC/TE) it will still take a few months for your body to adapt to its new set-point.
Again the first 6 weeks means nothing when looking at the bigger picture here!
Just stick with your protocol.
Does not matter whether you started <100 mg T/week vs higher as it is a common scenario for most to experience ups/downs during the first 4-6 weeks as hormones will be in FLUX until blood levels have stabilized.
Once blood work is done 6 weeks in you can see where said protocol (dose of T/injection frequency) has your trough TT and more importantly FT, estradiol and other critical blood markers RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit.
Again patience is key here!
This is critical!
*Following the initiation of testosterone therapy, serum concentrations of testosterone are known to correct earlier than the symptomatic, structural, and metabolic signs associated with TD.76,77
Overlooked let alone misunderstood by many!
26. What is a reasonable timeline to begin to observe improvements in the signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency?
*Following the initiation of testosterone therapy, serum concentrations of testosterone are known to correct earlier than the symptomatic, structural, and metabolic signs associated with TD.76,77 As such, patients should be counseled that symptom response will not be immediate. Expectations for treatment response should be established with each patient. Patients can anticipate improvements in many of the...
26. What is a reasonable timeline to begin to observe improvements in the signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency?
*Following the initiation of testosterone therapy, serum concentrations of testosterone are known to correct earlier than the symptomatic, structural, and metabolic signs associated with TD.76,77 As such, patients should be counseled that symptom response will not be immediate. Expectations for treatment response should be established with each patient. Patients can anticipate improvements in many of the common symptoms of TD (libido, energy levels, sexual function) after 3 months of treatment or longer. Metabolic and structural (body composition, muscle mass, bone density) changes may take upwards of 6 months. 77 In addition, patients should be counseled that diet and exercise in combination with testosterone therapy are recommended for body composition changes.
*Appreciating this pattern of response to testosterone therapy is fundamental when determining the impact of treatment and the appropriate timing of follow-up evaluations while on therapy. For example, if patients undergo a symptom review and measurement of testosterone levels too early (< 3 months), it may lead both physicians and patients to conclude that the treatment has not been impactful (i.e. normal levels of testosterone without symptomatic/structural/metabolic benefit). However, if the same assessment was scheduled 3-6 months after the initiation of therapy, the clinical response tends to be more reflective of normalized levels of serum testosterone.
