Who Started TRT w/ "Normal" Levels @ What Age?

[JYD21]

Latest labs in August were all middle range, slightly lower for my age. I turn 45 tomorrow and I feel fine, mostly, but 'things aren't what they used to be'. All my friends my age are on TRT, and some telling to do 150+ once a week. That seems extreme to me with my numbers below.

My DHEA & E2 are a bit on the lower side, so I was thinking to supplement with DHEA, 25mg at night, to try to get those into better ranges. I tend to be E2 sensitive, plus I've been taking lots of Zinc, D3, K2, and Boron, so I'm not sure if that's also keeping my E2 in the lower end of range. ...I know TRT would bring that up.

So I was curious who started with 'normal' range, perhaps the middle of the range, and were willing to shut down HPTA and go the distance? How old were you when you did that? ...I know it's NOT about the numbers, but just curious. Cheers!

NAME	Aug-21	REFERENCE RANGE
	8:45am fasted
TSH/FSH/LH/Cortisol
FREE T4 (THYROXINE)	1.31	0.80 - 1.90 (NG/DL)
T3 TOTAL	103	80 - 200 (NG/DL)
T3-UPTAKE	Did not provide	24.3 - 39.0 (%)
THYROX. BIND. CAPAC.		0.8 - 1.3
TSH	1.05	0.400-4.100 (UIU/ML)
FSH	3.1	1.5 - 12.4 (IU/L)
LH	5.1	1.2 - 8.6 (IU/L)
CORTISOL	na	4.8-19.5 (UG/DL)
Test, Free, E2, ETC.
ESTRADIOL	17.7	<=60.7 (PG/ML)
Total TESTOSTERONE	536	300 - 890 (NG/DL)
SEX HORM BIND GLOBULIN	35	16.5 - 55.9 (NMOL/L)
CALC FREE TESTOSTERONE	109	47.0 - 244.0 (PG/ML)
PROLACTIN	13	4.0-26.0 (NG/ML)
FERRITIN	127	30-400 (NG/ML)
DHEA	129	89-427 (UG/DL)
PSA, TOTAL
PSA, TOTAL	1.29	<=4.00 (NG/ML)
Vitamin D, 25 OH / B12 /
VITAMIN D, 25 OH	36	NG/ML 30-100
B12	491	200-950 (PG/ML)
Folic Acid	83	>=6.0 Sufficient
A1C
HEMOGLOBIN A1c	5.3	4.2 - 5.6 (%)
IRON SERUM
IRON, SERUM	127	59-158 (UG/DL)
UNSATURATED IBC	238	112-347 (UG/DL)
CALC TOTAL IBC	365	250-450 (UG/DL)
CALC % IRON SAT	35	20-50 (%)
Metabolic Panel
GLUCOSE	92	70 - 99 (MG/DL)
BUN	21	6 - 20 (MG/DL)
CREATININE	1.22	0.80-1.40 (MG/DL)
eGFR AFRICAN AMER.	83	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
eGFR NON-AFRICAN AMER.	72	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
CALC BUN/CREAT	17	6 - 28 (RATIO)
SODIUM	137	133 - 146 (MEQ/L)
POTASSIUM	4.2	3.5 - 5.4 (MEQ/L)
CHLORIDE	103	95 - 107 (MEQ/L)
CARBON DIOXIDE	23	19 - 31 (MEQ/L)
CALCIUM	9.2	8.5 - 10.5 (MG/DL)
PROTEIN, TOTAL	6.8	6.1 - 8.3 (G/DL)
ALBUMIN	4.7	3.5 - 5.2 (G/DL)
CALC GLOBULIN	2.1	1.9 - 3.7 (G/DL)
CALC A/G RATIO	2.2	1.0 - 2.6 (RATIO)
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL	1.1	<=1.2 (MG/DL)
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE	48	40 - 119 (U/L)
AST	27	9 - 50 (U/L)
ALT	26	5 - 50 (U/L)
CBC WITH AUTO DIFF
WBC	4.2	3.5-10.0 (K/UL)
RBC	5.17	4.30-5.70 (M/UL)
HEMOGLOBIN	15.8	13.5-17.0 (G/DL)
HEMATOCRIT	45.9	38.0-50.0 (%)
MCV	88.8	80.0-99.0 (fL)
MCH	30.6	25.0-34.0 (PG)
MCHC	34.4	31.0-36.0 (G/DL)
RDW	12.8	11.5-15.0 (%)
NEUTROPHILS	52.6	40.0-75.0 (%)
LYMPHOCYTES	34.1	20.0-45.0 (%)
MONOCYTES	9.5	4.0-12.0 (%)
EOSINOPHILS	2.8	0.0-7.0 (%)
BASOPHILS	0.5	0.0-2.0 (%)
PLATELET COUNT	224	130-400 (K/UL)
Lipid Panel
CHOLESTEROL	142	<200 (MG/DL)
TRIGLYCERIDES	91	<150 (MG/DL)
HDL CHOLESTEROL	43	>39 (MG/DL)
CALC LDL CHOL	82	<130 (MG/DL)
RISK RATIO LDL/HDL	1.91	<3.55 (RATIO)

 

[HealthMan]

My TT was at the bottom of the normal range low 300s. I was 34-35 yo now i am 40 yo. Best decision i made. Before trt i was always tired thats the reason why i started it. 5 years of feeling great

 

[JA Battle]

My TT was at the bottom of the normal range low 300s. I was 34-35 yo now i am 40 yo. Best decision i made. Before trt i was always tired thats the reason why i started it. 5 years of feeling great

My tt was 450 at 27. I felt good before but was missing sexually. After starting I’ve felt better in many ways but worse sexually but got addicted to the added muscle. Too bad too because I was in great shape before and was not small by any stretch.

 

[Systemlord]

I tend to be E2 sensitive, plus I've been taking lots of Zinc, D3, K2, and Boron, so I'm not sure if that's also keeping my E2 in the lower end of range. ..

Your Free T is probably going to mirror your estrogen level, TRT is inevitable at this point. You can wait it out and wait till things get worse, but beware TRT can make you infertile until such time you come off.

Latest labs in August were all middle range, slightly lower for my age. I turn 45 tomorrow and I feel fine, mostly, but 'things aren't what they used to be'.

I was 45 when my Total T levels were measured at 120 on the first test and second test 91 ng/dL, LH 3.6 and FSH 4.6.

I'm on Jatenzo 237mg (the recommended starting dosage) twice daily. Jatenzo is very expensive if not covered by insurance, we are talking $1000+ per month.

 

[Cataceous]

I wouldn't risk HPTA shutdown with those numbers. If you want a boost with less risk then look into Natesto or a generic version.

 

[StepbyStep]

Threads a little old, but want to say that I wouldn't consider TRT with those numbers.

I started TRT in 2017 at age 26 with a TT of 240-260. If I could have your numbers naturally then I'd run, not walk away from TRT.

Your Vitamin D supplement isn't doing shit. I'd fix that, and add a quality B complex and Magnesium supplement to your mix.

 

[Match]

Your Free T is probably going to mirror your estrogen level, TRT is inevitable at this point. You can wait it out and wait till things get worse, but beware TRT can make you infertile until such time you come off.

I wonder how estrogen influences down Free T, considering it is not part of the standard formula, which considers only TT and SHBG

 

[Vince]

Latest labs in August were all middle range, slightly lower for my age. I turn 45 tomorrow and I feel fine, mostly, but 'things aren't what they used to be'. All my friends my age are on TRT, and some telling to do 150+ once a week. That seems extreme to me with my numbers below.

My DHEA & E2 are a bit on the lower side, so I was thinking to supplement with DHEA, 25mg at night, to try to get those into better ranges. I tend to be E2 sensitive, plus I've been taking lots of Zinc, D3, K2, and Boron, so I'm not sure if that's also keeping my E2 in the lower end of range. ...I know TRT would bring that up.

So I was curious who started with 'normal' range, perhaps the middle of the range, and were willing to shut down HPTA and go the distance? How old were you when you did that? ...I know it's NOT about the numbers, but just curious. Cheers!

NAME	Aug-21	REFERENCE RANGE
	8:45am fasted
TSH/FSH/LH/Cortisol
FREE T4 (THYROXINE)	1.31	0.80 - 1.90 (NG/DL)
T3 TOTAL	103	80 - 200 (NG/DL)
T3-UPTAKE	Did not provide	24.3 - 39.0 (%)
THYROX. BIND. CAPAC.		0.8 - 1.3
TSH	1.05	0.400-4.100 (UIU/ML)
FSH	3.1	1.5 - 12.4 (IU/L)
LH	5.1	1.2 - 8.6 (IU/L)
CORTISOL	na	4.8-19.5 (UG/DL)
Test, Free, E2, ETC.
ESTRADIOL	17.7	<=60.7 (PG/ML)
Total TESTOSTERONE	536	300 - 890 (NG/DL)
SEX HORM BIND GLOBULIN	35	16.5 - 55.9 (NMOL/L)
CALC FREE TESTOSTERONE	109	47.0 - 244.0 (PG/ML)
PROLACTIN	13	4.0-26.0 (NG/ML)
FERRITIN	127	30-400 (NG/ML)
DHEA	129	89-427 (UG/DL)
PSA, TOTAL
PSA, TOTAL	1.29	<=4.00 (NG/ML)
Vitamin D, 25 OH / B12 /
VITAMIN D, 25 OH	36	NG/ML 30-100
B12	491	200-950 (PG/ML)
Folic Acid	83	>=6.0 Sufficient
A1C
HEMOGLOBIN A1c	5.3	4.2 - 5.6 (%)
IRON SERUM
IRON, SERUM	127	59-158 (UG/DL)
UNSATURATED IBC	238	112-347 (UG/DL)
CALC TOTAL IBC	365	250-450 (UG/DL)
CALC % IRON SAT	35	20-50 (%)
Metabolic Panel
GLUCOSE	92	70 - 99 (MG/DL)
BUN	21	6 - 20 (MG/DL)
CREATININE	1.22	0.80-1.40 (MG/DL)
eGFR AFRICAN AMER.	83	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
eGFR NON-AFRICAN AMER.	72	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
CALC BUN/CREAT	17	6 - 28 (RATIO)
SODIUM	137	133 - 146 (MEQ/L)
POTASSIUM	4.2	3.5 - 5.4 (MEQ/L)
CHLORIDE	103	95 - 107 (MEQ/L)
CARBON DIOXIDE	23	19 - 31 (MEQ/L)
CALCIUM	9.2	8.5 - 10.5 (MG/DL)
PROTEIN, TOTAL	6.8	6.1 - 8.3 (G/DL)
ALBUMIN	4.7	3.5 - 5.2 (G/DL)
CALC GLOBULIN	2.1	1.9 - 3.7 (G/DL)
CALC A/G RATIO	2.2	1.0 - 2.6 (RATIO)
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL	1.1	<=1.2 (MG/DL)
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE	48	40 - 119 (U/L)
AST	27	9 - 50 (U/L)
ALT	26	5 - 50 (U/L)
CBC WITH AUTO DIFF
WBC	4.2	3.5-10.0 (K/UL)
RBC	5.17	4.30-5.70 (M/UL)
HEMOGLOBIN	15.8	13.5-17.0 (G/DL)
HEMATOCRIT	45.9	38.0-50.0 (%)
MCV	88.8	80.0-99.0 (fL)
MCH	30.6	25.0-34.0 (PG)
MCHC	34.4	31.0-36.0 (G/DL)
RDW	12.8	11.5-15.0 (%)
NEUTROPHILS	52.6	40.0-75.0 (%)
LYMPHOCYTES	34.1	20.0-45.0 (%)
MONOCYTES	9.5	4.0-12.0 (%)
EOSINOPHILS	2.8	0.0-7.0 (%)
BASOPHILS	0.5	0.0-2.0 (%)
PLATELET COUNT	224	130-400 (K/UL)
Lipid Panel
CHOLESTEROL	142	<200 (MG/DL)
TRIGLYCERIDES	91	<150 (MG/DL)
HDL CHOLESTEROL	43	>39 (MG/DL)
CALC LDL CHOL	82	<130 (MG/DL)
RISK RATIO LDL/HDL	1.91	<3.55 (RATIO)

If you're not on trt. Adding DHEA supplement will make you increase estrogen and decrease testosterone. You will convert more testosterone into estrogen and of course feel worse.

 

[Cataceous]

If you're not on trt. Adding DHEA supplement will make you increase estrogen and decrease testosterone. You will convert more testosterone into estrogen and of course feel worse.

The studies are mixed on this so I wouldn't make the claim. For example, one study using a whopping dose of 400 mg/day showed no change in total testosterone and a tiny drop in estradiol. Another study using 100 mg/day also showed no changes in these hormones.

DHEA: Just What Hormones Does It Change? - Peak Testosterone

There are clearly some significant misconceptions about the hormonal changes that DHEA supplementation actually brings about...

www.peaktestosterone.com

 

[Vince]

The studies are mixed on this so I wouldn't make the claim. For example, one study using a whopping dose of 400 mg/day showed no change in total testosterone and a tiny drop in estradiol. Another study using 100 mg/day also showed no changes in these hormones.

DHEA: Just What Hormones Does It Change? - Peak Testosterone

There are clearly some significant misconceptions about the hormonal changes that DHEA supplementation actually brings about...

www.peaktestosterone.com

Before I was on trt. The more DHEA I supplemented with the lower my testosterone went and the higher my estrogen increased.

I did post all of my levels. It really hurt my libido.

 

[JYD21]

Threads a little old, but want to say that I wouldn't consider TRT with those numbers.

I started TRT in 2017 at age 26 with a TT of 240-260. If I could have your numbers naturally then I'd run, not walk away from TRT.

Your Vitamin D supplement isn't doing shit. I'd fix that, and add a quality B complex and Magnesium supplement to your mix.

Yup, I hear that from half the crowd & the other half says otherwise. I do take Mag daily, and a good B complex 4-5 days a week.

My issue is I'm on that cusp, where I don't feel horrible, and my lack of desire for sex (with anyone) is hurting my girlfriend.

I've tried anti-depressants, and that did not work.

We are looking at trying to help out my dopamine as for a while I was addicted to nicotine from dipping & had some bouts with borderline porn addiction. I do work with a therapist.

Some days are good, others not so. It's really split.

I wouldn't risk HPTA shutdown with those numbers. If you want a boost with less risk then look into Natesto or a generic version.

Appreciate that input. ...This is where I get confused. Half the docs out there in the know say go on how you 'feel' and the other half say go 'off the numbers'. There seems to be no agreement on the 'feeling vs. numbers' debate.

Cheers all!

 

[Cataceous]

...This is where I get confused. Half the docs out there in the know say go on how you 'feel' and the other half say go 'off the numbers'. There seems to be no agreement on the 'feeling vs. numbers' debate.
...

Both must be considered. You said "I feel fine, mostly..." And your numbers are ok. Therefore TRT is not worth the risk. In fact, TRT is so disruptive of other hormones that I encourage even those with much worse numbers to try testosterone nasal gel or enclomiphene before considering full replacement. If improvements aren't seen with the nasal gel then you have to question if testosterone is even the issue. Unfortunately, testosterone is not the key to feeling like 25 again. It's simply one of many components important for good health.

 

[JYD21]

Both must be considered. You said "I feel fine, mostly..." And your numbers are ok. Therefore TRT is not worth the risk. In fact, TRT is so disruptive of other hormones that I encourage even those with much worse numbers to try testosterone nasal gel or enclomiphene before considering full replacement. If improvements aren't seen with the nasal gel then you have to question if testosterone is even the issue. Unfortunately, testosterone is not the key to feeling like 25 again. It's simply one of many components important for good health.

Good thoughts, thank you!

My e2 is already a bit lowish-normal at 17; I tend to feel better at 28-32, so wouldn't something like enclomiphene block estrogen and potentially make it worse?

...What do you consider are the risks? My interpretation of your thoughts on risk is that you feel it is too risky and should really be a last resort; is that right?

 

[Systemlord]

Good thoughts, thank you!

My e2 is already a bit lowish-normal at 17; I tend to feel better at 28-32, so wouldn't something like enclomiphene block estrogen and potentially make it worse?

...What do you consider are the risks? My interpretation of your thoughts on risk is that you feel it is too risky and should really be a last resort; is that right?

It would be interesting to see your DHT levels.

 

[Cataceous]

My e2 is already a bit lowish-normal at 17; I tend to feel better at 28-32, so wouldn't something like enclomiphene block estrogen and potentially make it worse?

...What do you consider are the risks? My interpretation of your thoughts on risk is that you feel it is too risky and should really be a last resort; is that right?

At least in the clinical trials enclomiphene modestly increased estradiol. But it's true that the blocking of certain estrogen receptors may do both good and bad things, depending on the individual and the dose. The criticism of enclomiphene is that you can have great looking numbers but poor subjective results. Given this unpredictability I do recommend the nasal gel as a first choice.

On the subject of risk I do have bias, both from personal experience and from contact with forum members struggling with TRT-related issues. The latter most likely are overrepresented compared to the general TRT population. But I've also learned a little about the complex interplay of hormones involved in the HPTA and beyond, and have come to appreciate that we don't even know all of the possible long-term consequences of disrupting things. Regarding more specific items, TRT can cause testicular atrophy and loss of fertility. Paradoxically, even libido can be worse. It's common to use hCG to prevent these issues, but hCG frequently raises estradiol unnaturally, and secondarily prolactin can rise and cause problems. If TRT isn't properly managed then estradiol can be too high even without hCG. Elevated hematocrit is also a common problem.

Given all this I think it makes sense to start with a less invasive approach, and the nasal gel fits the bill.

 

[Gladiator]

Latest labs in August were all middle range, slightly lower for my age. I turn 45 tomorrow and I feel fine, mostly, but 'things aren't what they used to be'. All my friends my age are on TRT, and some telling to do 150+ once a week. That seems extreme to me with my numbers below.

My DHEA & E2 are a bit on the lower side, so I was thinking to supplement with DHEA, 25mg at night, to try to get those into better ranges. I tend to be E2 sensitive, plus I've been taking lots of Zinc, D3, K2, and Boron, so I'm not sure if that's also keeping my E2 in the lower end of range. ...I know TRT would bring that up.

So I was curious who started with 'normal' range, perhaps the middle of the range, and were willing to shut down HPTA and go the distance? How old were you when you did that? ...I know it's NOT about the numbers, but just curious. Cheers!

NAME	Aug-21	REFERENCE RANGE
	8:45am fasted
TSH/FSH/LH/Cortisol
FREE T4 (THYROXINE)	1.31	0.80 - 1.90 (NG/DL)
T3 TOTAL	103	80 - 200 (NG/DL)
T3-UPTAKE	Did not provide	24.3 - 39.0 (%)
THYROX. BIND. CAPAC.		0.8 - 1.3
TSH	1.05	0.400-4.100 (UIU/ML)
FSH	3.1	1.5 - 12.4 (IU/L)
LH	5.1	1.2 - 8.6 (IU/L)
CORTISOL	na	4.8-19.5 (UG/DL)
Test, Free, E2, ETC.
ESTRADIOL	17.7	<=60.7 (PG/ML)
Total TESTOSTERONE	536	300 - 890 (NG/DL)
SEX HORM BIND GLOBULIN	35	16.5 - 55.9 (NMOL/L)
CALC FREE TESTOSTERONE	109	47.0 - 244.0 (PG/ML)
PROLACTIN	13	4.0-26.0 (NG/ML)
FERRITIN	127	30-400 (NG/ML)
DHEA	129	89-427 (UG/DL)
PSA, TOTAL
PSA, TOTAL	1.29	<=4.00 (NG/ML)
Vitamin D, 25 OH / B12 /
VITAMIN D, 25 OH	36	NG/ML 30-100
B12	491	200-950 (PG/ML)
Folic Acid	83	>=6.0 Sufficient
A1C
HEMOGLOBIN A1c	5.3	4.2 - 5.6 (%)
IRON SERUM
IRON, SERUM	127	59-158 (UG/DL)
UNSATURATED IBC	238	112-347 (UG/DL)
CALC TOTAL IBC	365	250-450 (UG/DL)
CALC % IRON SAT	35	20-50 (%)
Metabolic Panel
GLUCOSE	92	70 - 99 (MG/DL)
BUN	21	6 - 20 (MG/DL)
CREATININE	1.22	0.80-1.40 (MG/DL)
eGFR AFRICAN AMER.	83	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
eGFR NON-AFRICAN AMER.	72	>60 (ML/MIN/1.73)
CALC BUN/CREAT	17	6 - 28 (RATIO)
SODIUM	137	133 - 146 (MEQ/L)
POTASSIUM	4.2	3.5 - 5.4 (MEQ/L)
CHLORIDE	103	95 - 107 (MEQ/L)
CARBON DIOXIDE	23	19 - 31 (MEQ/L)
CALCIUM	9.2	8.5 - 10.5 (MG/DL)
PROTEIN, TOTAL	6.8	6.1 - 8.3 (G/DL)
ALBUMIN	4.7	3.5 - 5.2 (G/DL)
CALC GLOBULIN	2.1	1.9 - 3.7 (G/DL)
CALC A/G RATIO	2.2	1.0 - 2.6 (RATIO)
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL	1.1	<=1.2 (MG/DL)
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE	48	40 - 119 (U/L)
AST	27	9 - 50 (U/L)
ALT	26	5 - 50 (U/L)
CBC WITH AUTO DIFF
WBC	4.2	3.5-10.0 (K/UL)
RBC	5.17	4.30-5.70 (M/UL)
HEMOGLOBIN	15.8	13.5-17.0 (G/DL)
HEMATOCRIT	45.9	38.0-50.0 (%)
MCV	88.8	80.0-99.0 (fL)
MCH	30.6	25.0-34.0 (PG)
MCHC	34.4	31.0-36.0 (G/DL)
RDW	12.8	11.5-15.0 (%)
NEUTROPHILS	52.6	40.0-75.0 (%)
LYMPHOCYTES	34.1	20.0-45.0 (%)
MONOCYTES	9.5	4.0-12.0 (%)
EOSINOPHILS	2.8	0.0-7.0 (%)
BASOPHILS	0.5	0.0-2.0 (%)
PLATELET COUNT	224	130-400 (K/UL)
Lipid Panel
CHOLESTEROL	142	<200 (MG/DL)
TRIGLYCERIDES	91	<150 (MG/DL)
HDL CHOLESTEROL	43	>39 (MG/DL)
CALC LDL CHOL	82	<130 (MG/DL)
RISK RATIO LDL/HDL	1.91	<3.55 (RATIO)

Looking at your vitamins D you need to get that higher and have tests done.

I’m speaking from experience as mine was once 15.

Look into vitamin D and testosterone. You need to get it higher as it’s a hormone that helps with testosterone production

 

[JYD21]

How do I increase it? I already take 5000 - 10000iu of D3 per day (along with Mk-7) from Jarrow.

Do I need prescription strength? What do you suggest?

 

[Cataceous]

How do I increase it? I already take 5000 - 10000iu of D3 per day (along with Mk-7) from Jarrow.

Do I need prescription strength? What do you suggest?

Your level is fine where it is. It's right around the amount associated with peak natural testosterone production.
1 ng/mL = 2.5 nMol/L
36 ng/mL = 90 nMol/L

Vitamin D: The Dangers of High Levels

Now it is pretty well-known in the men's health community that correcting a Vitamin D deficiency can increase testosterone, something...

www.peaktestosterone.com

 

[DragonBits]

I started at age 58 and I am guessing my total T was ~350 ng/dl.

But I am not sure what my total T level was at the time since the doctor didn't require a testosterone test. I did get a PSA / and EKG test.

My guess is likely accurate, as at age 43 my total was 376ng/dl, subsequent readings at age 65 when I paused trt was 349, so its a fair guess my total T was around 350 ng/dl.

IMO people make a big deal about shutting down HPTA, but in nearly all cases you have just start it again. So try it if you really want to, but with your numbers I would look somewhere else for your problems.

I supplemented DHEA when I 43 back in 1995, my level was 6672 ng/ml (800-5600), so 20% over the top of the range. It had no benefits that I could discern.

Currently on TRT, I supplement dhea just to bring the number into range, not sure there is a benefit, but no harm.

"some telling to do 150+ once a week. That seems extreme to me with my numbers below."

Your current numbers aren't going to matter once you start TRT; as noted many times, HPTA will get shut down.

BTW, one of your reasons for wanting TRT seems to be peer pressure, and honestly, after the last 2 years, nothing is the way it used to be

 

[JYD21]

I started at age 58 and I am guessing my total T was ~350 ng/dl.

But I am not sure what my total T level was at the time since the doctor didn't require a testosterone test. I did get a PSA / and EKG test.

My guess is likely accurate, as at age 43 my total was 376ng/dl, subsequent readings at age 65 when I paused trt was 349, so its a fair guess my total T was around 350 ng/dl.

IMO people make a big deal about shutting down HPTA, but in nearly all cases you have just start it again. So try it if you really want to, but with your numbers I would look somewhere else for your problems.

I supplemented DHEA when I 43 back in 1995, my level was 6672 ng/ml (800-5600), so 20% over the top of the range. It had no benefits that I could discern.

Currently on TRT, I supplement dhea just to bring the number into range, not sure there is a benefit, but no harm.

"some telling to do 150+ once a week. That seems extreme to me with my numbers below."

Your current numbers aren't going to matter once you start TRT; as noted many times, HPTA will get shut down.

BTW, one of your reasons for wanting TRT seems to be peer pressure, and honestly, after the last 2 years, nothing is the way it used to be

Good info. ...The pressure is me putting it on myself, and somewhat from my girlfriend.