The problem is not exogenous testosterone, the problem is an incomplete protocol and poor management, which is exactly what you get from most doctors.
Androgel and other transdermal delivery products have the highest T–>E2 conversion. Elevated E2 lowers energy, mood, tolerance, libido.
Estradiol needs to be checked and managed.
Labs need to be in list format with ranges:
TT
FT
E2
CBC
hematocrit
AST/ALT
Reference protocol:
- self inject 50mg T twice a week
- 0.5mg anastrozole at time of T injections
- 250iu hCG SC EOD to preserve testes and fertility
Please read the stickies found here: About the T Replacement Category - #2 by KSman
- advice for new guys
- things that damage your hormones
- protocol for injections
- finding a TRT doc
Evaluate your overall thyroid function by checking oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky. Thyroid hormone fT3 is what gets the job done and it regulates mitochondrial activity, the source of ATP which is the universal currency of cellular energy. This is part of the body’s temperature control loop. This can get messed up if you are iodine deficient. In many countries, you need to be using iodized salt. Other countries add iodine to dairy or bread.