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Hi,

I've been on T replacement for 3 years with little improvement. I started on Androgel for 6 months, but it did nothing. I've been on Test C @100mg/week for the past 2 1/2 years. Initially I started out injecting weekly, but I am now at every 3.5 days for the past 1 1/2 years. My Uro also prescribed HCG last year, but insurance denied coverage. Through reading this site I discovered Empower and have started HCG 2 weeks ago.

My mood has improved some on TRT, but I still have sexual side effects: low libido, weak erections.

My most recent labs are from December 29th prior to starting HCG and prior to my T injection.

Total T- 597 ng/dL 250-1100
Free T- 152.2 pg/mL 35-155
E2- 25 pg/mL </=29
E2 Free- .63 pg/mL </= .45
TSH- 1.73 mIU/L .40-4.50
Glucose- 92 mg/dl 65-99
Triglycerides- 201 mg/dl <150
Hematocrit- 44.4% 38.5-50.0

I'm 40 years old, 5'11" and weigh 190. I carry most of my weight in my upper body, primarily in my stomach. My legs are very skinny. I feel like I've probably had low T my whole life. Even in high school, when I worked out, I never gained muscle.

I plan on new blood work in a few weeks to see what the HCG does. Other than that, any suggestions?

<blockquote data-quote="greg76" data-source="post: 59734" data-attributes="member: 14839">Hi,&nbsp;I&#039;ve been on T replacement for 3 years with little improvement. I started on Androgel for 6 months, but it did nothing. I&#039;ve been on Test C @100mg/week for the past 2 1/2 years. Initially I started out injecting weekly, but I am now at every 3.5 days for the past 1 1/2 years. My Uro also prescribed HCG last year, but insurance denied coverage. Through reading this site I discovered Empower and have started HCG 2 weeks ago.&nbsp;My mood has improved some on TRT, but I still have sexual side effects: low libido, weak erections.&nbsp;My most recent labs are from December 29th prior to starting HCG and prior to my T injection.Total T- 597 ng/dL 250-1100Free T- 152.2 pg/mL 35-155E2- 25 pg/mL &lt;/=29E2 Free- .63 pg/mL &lt;/= .45TSH- 1.73 mIU/L .40-4.50Glucose- 92 mg/dl 65-99Triglycerides- 201 mg/dl &lt;150Hematocrit- 44.4% 38.5-50.0&nbsp;I&#039;m 40 years old, 5&#039;11&quot; and weigh 190. I carry most of my weight in my upper body, primarily in my stomach. My legs are very skinny. I feel like I&#039;ve probably had low T my whole life. Even in high school, when I worked out, I never gained muscle.I plan on new blood work in a few weeks to see what the HCG does. Other than that, any suggestions?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="greg76, post: 59734, member: 14839"] Hi, I've been on T replacement for 3 years with little improvement. I started on Androgel for 6 months, but it did nothing. I've been on Test C @100mg/week for the past 2 1/2 years. Initially I started out injecting weekly, but I am now at every 3.5 days for the past 1 1/2 years. My Uro also prescribed HCG last year, but insurance denied coverage. Through reading this site I discovered Empower and have started HCG 2 weeks ago. My mood has improved some on TRT, but I still have sexual side effects: low libido, weak erections. My most recent labs are from December 29th prior to starting HCG and prior to my T injection. [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]Total T- 597 ng/dL 250-1100[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]Free T- 152.2 pg/mL 35-155[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]E2- 25 pg/mL </=29[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]E2 Free- .63 pg/mL </= .45[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]TSH- 1.73 mIU/L .40-4.50[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]Glucose- 92 mg/dl 65-99[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]Triglycerides- 201 mg/dl <150[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#333333][FONT=Helvetica]Hematocrit- 44.4% 38.5-50.0 I'm 40 years old, 5'11" and weigh 190. I carry most of my weight in my upper body, primarily in my stomach. My legs are very skinny. I feel like I've probably had low T my whole life. Even in high school, when I worked out, I never gained muscle. I plan on new blood work in a few weeks to see what the HCG does. Other than that, any suggestions? [/FONT][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]

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TRT Hormone Predictor Widget

Understanding Your Hormones

Estradiol (E2)

A form of estrogen produced from testosterone. Important for bone health, mood, and libido. Too high can cause side effects; too low can affect well-being.

DHT

Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen derived from testosterone. Affects hair growth, prostate health, and masculinization effects.

Free Testosterone

The biologically active form of testosterone not bound to proteins. Directly available for cellular uptake and biological effects.

Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038