TRT - whats normal

[redbull81]

Tried multiple protocols and high libido only lasts a couple of weeks.

Tried Nebido, gel and test e.

Nebido and gel did not work well in regards to all symptoms and doctors will not prescibe test e, so I did it myself.

Started 125mg test e EW 9 weeks ago.

Felt normal by day 3 and libido was like when i was 28. Finally chased my wife again and no ED.

Then by week 8 libido suddenly almost went to zero. Softer erections. Motivation and sleep also a bit worse, but otherwise feel better than not on trt.

I realize this could be the so called honeymoon phase with increased dopamin, but I don't care about big muscles, just libido, energy and well being is imporant to me.

Bloodwork at week 7:
Prolactin: 504 (normal range 51 - 255)
T: 950 ng/dL
T free: 26 ng/dL
E: 60 pg/mL
SHBG: 602 ng/dL

Im I correct in assuming that estrogen is slightly elevated and prolactin is too high? Should I try with 50mg twice per week to lower estrogen and prolactin?

Any advice?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Tried multiple protocols and high libido only lasts a couple of weeks.

Tried Nebido, gel and test e.

Nebido and gel did not work well in regards to all symptoms and doctors will not prescibe test e, so I did it myself.

Started 125mg test e EW 9 weeks ago.

Felt normal by day 3 and libido was like when i was 28. Finally chased my wife again and no ED.

Then by week 8 libido suddenly almost went to zero. Softer erections. Motivation and sleep also a bit worse, but otherwise feel better than not on trt.

I realize this could be the so called honeymoon phase with increased dopamin, but I don't care about big muscles, just libido, energy and well being is imporant to me.

Bloodwork at week 7:
Prolactin: 504 (normal range 51 - 255)
T: 950 ng/dL
T free: 26 ng/dL
E: 60 pg/mL
SHBG: 602 ng/dL

Im I correct in assuming that estrogen is slightly elevated and prolactin is too high? Should I try with 50mg twice per week to lower estrogen and prolactin?

Any advice?

That's a reasonable idea, and 50 mg twice weekly is about is good as it gets for starter protocols. However, you would be changing two variables there at once, which you generally don't want to do. Increasing frequency is usually helpful for reducing side effects, but not typically for increasing libido (high frequency often makes it worse with longer esters). If these are weekly trough measurements, you certainly have some room to lower your dose, and your peak E2 must be ridiculously high. If it were me, I would probably just reduce the dose at this stage and leave frequency alone.

 

[redbull81]

That's a reasonable idea, and 50 mg twice weekly is about is good as it gets for starter protocols. However, you would be changing two variables there at once, which you generally don't want to do. Increasing frequency is usually helpful for reducing side effects, but not typically for increasing libido (high frequency often makes it worse with longer esters). If these are weekly trough measurements, you certainly have some room to lower your dose, and your peak E2 must be ridiculously high. If it were me, I would probably just reduce the dose at this stage and leave frequency alone.

Thanks for the reply. I actually lowered the dose 100mg per week after the bloodwork, around the same time libido dropped. Will try to have patience and get bloodwork again in 7 weeks. 100mg or lower even?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Thanks for the reply. I actually lowered the dose 100mg per week after the bloodwork, around the same time libido dropped. Will try to have patience and get bloodwork again in 7 weeks. 100mg or lower even?

I wouldn't drop more than that, just wait and see what happens with 100 mg. You will be in a bit of a withdrawal state now from the higher dose and you need to get to the other side of that before you know how 100 mg will treat you.

Madman will jump in at some point and tell you any conclusions before 12 weeks are premature, to give you some perspective on how long these protocol adaption processes can take.

 

[redbull81]

Thanks. Will try

 

[Systemlord]

I realize this could be the so called honeymoon phase with increased dopamin, but I don't care about big muscles, just libido, energy and well being is imporant to me.

Well it would seem you want all the benefits of more energy, a strong libido and wellbeing but are you willing to put in the time to improving your health through improving diet and exercise?

If your argument is you're perfectly healthy, then you wouldn't have low testosterone. Low testosterone is a symptom, secondary to whatever is lowering it.

If your body could handle high testosterone without issues, you wouldn't have low testosterone in the first place.

Your metabolic health may not align with what you hope to achieve on TRT at least in the beginning, unless you put in the work.

In some cases, it can take several months of hard work to achieve full symptom resolution on TRT, because improvements on TRT don't happen overnight.

I'm sorry, TRT isn't the fountain of youth.

Please describe your height, weight/body composition.

 

[redbull81]

Well it would seem you want all the benefits of more energy, a strong libido and wellbeing but are you willing to put in the time to improving your health through improving diet and exercise?

If your argument is you're perfectly healthy, then you wouldn't have low testosterone. Low testosterone is a symptom, secondary to whatever is lowering it.

If your body could handle high testosterone without issues, you wouldn't have low testosterone in the first place.

Your metabolic health may not align with what you hope to achieve on TRT at least in the beginning, unless you put in the work.

In some cases, it can take several months of hard work to achieve full symptom resolution on TRT.

I'm sorry, TRT isn't the fountain of youth.

Please describe your height, weight/body composition.

You assumed a bunch there. I have had severe low T symptoms for years caused by testicular cancer.

As mentioned, was prescribed Nebido and gel by an endocrinologist, but did not work for me. Too many high and lows with Nebido and ended up with lower T level with gel.

Not looking for fountain of youth. Just a normal life like I remember it before cancer.

 

[Systemlord]

You assumed a bunch there. I have had severe low T symptoms for years caused by testicular cancer.

Your metabolic health isn't what it used to be, you've spent years with low testosterone, this is why your honeymoon period lasted only a short while. The same thing happened to me, at first everything worked, than it didn't.

Fast forward years later, things are starting to turn themselves around, only because I started lifting weights and improving my diet in order to improve my metabolic health.

 

[redbull81]

Your metabolic health isn't what it used to be, you've spent years with low testosterone, this is why your honeymoon period lasted only a short while. The same thing happened to me, at first everything worked, than it didn't.

Fast forward years later, things are starting to turn themselves around, only because I started lifting weights and improving my diet in order to improve my metabolic health.

Was is your protocol?

Already lifting weights 3-5 times per week. Not overweigh. Gaines a lot muscle on my frame last 8 weeks.

I hope libido will return when estrogen and prolactin get lower.

 

[Systemlord]

Was is your protocol?

Jatenzo, oral testosterone undecanoate @ 237 mg twice daily.

SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class research journals

Subscription and open access journals from SAGE Publishing, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

Already lifting weights 3-5 times per week. Not overweigh. Gaines a lot muscle on my frame last 8 weeks.

I hope libido will return when estrogen and prolactin get lower.

You might find better success injecting smaller more frequent doses.

 

[jayt]

Tried multiple protocols and high libido only lasts a couple of weeks.

Tried Nebido, gel and test e.

Nebido and gel did not work well in regards to all symptoms and doctors will not prescibe test e, so I did it myself.

Started 125mg test e EW 9 weeks ago.

Felt normal by day 3 and libido was like when i was 28. Finally chased my wife again and no ED.

Then by week 8 libido suddenly almost went to zero. Softer erections. Motivation and sleep also a bit worse, but otherwise feel better than not on trt.

I realize this could be the so called honeymoon phase with increased dopamin, but I don't care about big muscles, just libido, energy and well being is imporant to me.

Bloodwork at week 7:
Prolactin: 504 (normal range 51 - 255)
T: 950 ng/dL
T free: 26 ng/dL
E: 60 pg/mL
SHBG: 602 ng/dL

Im I correct in assuming that estrogen is slightly elevated and prolactin is too high? Should I try with 50mg twice per week to lower estrogen and prolactin?

Any advice?

I would bet your ED is not related, just aging and desire. Get ED meds and for a real erection try TRIMIX. (go to youtube and search trimix, it will show how to use it and what it does) I have been on TRT for 12 years and using TRIMIX for the same time. Awesome, I am 74 and perform better than in my 30's. To really enhance your orgasms and hers, try a little Delta 8 just before you begin.... OMG

 

[Seagal]

Tried multiple protocols and high libido only lasts a couple of weeks.

Tried Nebido, gel and test e.

Nebido and gel did not work well in regards to all symptoms and doctors will not prescibe test e, so I did it myself.

Started 125mg test e EW 9 weeks ago.

Felt normal by day 3 and libido was like when i was 28. Finally chased my wife again and no ED.

Then by week 8 libido suddenly almost went to zero. Softer erections. Motivation and sleep also a bit worse, but otherwise feel better than not on trt.

I realize this could be the so called honeymoon phase with increased dopamin, but I don't care about big muscles, just libido, energy and well being is imporant to me.

Bloodwork at week 7:
Prolactin: 504 (normal range 51 - 255)
T: 950 ng/dL
T free: 26 ng/dL
E: 60 pg/mL
SHBG: 602 ng/dL

Im I correct in assuming that estrogen is slightly elevated and prolactin is too high? Should I try with 50mg twice per week to lower estrogen and prolactin?

Any advice?

You could try cabergoline to reduce prolactin, and immediately observe the impact on libido and motivation.
I would switch to twice weekly injections or SC injection in order to lower the T peak.
I don't think that reducing the dose by 25mg will make much difference.

 

[Systemlord]

I would bet your ED is not related, just aging and desire. Get ED meds and for a real erection try TRIMIX. (go to youtube and search trimix, it will show how to use it and what it does) I have been on TRT for 12 years and using TRIMIX for the same time. Awesome, I am 74 and perform better than in my 30's. To really enhance your orgasms and hers, try a little Delta 8 just before you begin.... OMG

How many days per week do you use trimix?

 

[jayt]

How many days per week do you use trimix?

3 or 4 times per week, depending upon the Lady's wants. I follow the old rule, she comes twice before I bust and trimix guarantees performance. Trimix is far superior to ANY oral ED medication, without side effects.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Trimix is far superior to ANY oral ED medication, without side effects.

He speaks the truth.

 

[tropicaldaze1950]

3 or 4 times per week, depending upon the Lady's wants. I follow the old rule, she comes twice before I bust and trimix guarantees performance. Trimix is far superior to ANY oral ED medication, without side effects.

It's on my 'wish list'. My urologist will prescribe but, now going on the third year, caring for my wife as her health declines. On just testosterone, most nights I get one erection but, for the future, want an erection that's reliable and will last for more than one round, like my younger days.