45 Y/O On TRT

Pharma / TRT Testosterone Replacement
1

Just found this forum, and have learned a ton thus far. Thanks!
So, I started TRT about 2 years ago (Androgel, no AI), and felt GREAT for about 3 weeks. Then came the inevitable crash. My doc (urologist) upped me to Androge 1.62% and life was decent again.

Found a great woman (now my fiance’), so I switched to weekly injections of Test Cyp (1/2 ml), due to the cross contamination issues with Androgel. Maintaining about 650-800 free T. Life was good. Great in fact. Sex was fantastic, and frequent (2-3 times daily). We work out, run, mountain bike, and trail run together…Strength is good, body fat is probably under 13 or so? My doc has never run anything other than T labs, but it wasn’t an issue, as I was doing so well.

Well, about 6 months ago, I started having issues with some concentration issues (I’m an engineer, so THAT SUCKED), fatigue, low libido, leading to issues with ED (which SUCKED MORE!!!). Did some very basic research, and thought my E might be low. So I called and asked my doc to check my E levels, and the response was “Why would you want to do that?” I knew I had a problem. Anyway, I got them to do it, and all they said was that they were within limits. Since finding this site, I’m looking at getting copies of all my lab results, so I can see what the actual numbers were.
Fast forward to the last few months, and life is sucking hard. No consistent libido, brain fog, fatigue… Still forcing myself to the gym every other day, but haven’t had any significant gains for a while. (Guys, I’m not looking for super high T, or to be big or anything. I just want normal levels of everything, so that I feel good) Anyway, I had my T checked 3 weeks ago, and it came back as 800. I really think that I need to be on an AI and HCG, but my doc doesn’t want to put me on anything other than Test Cyp. Dumb a$$…

Sorry that was so long, here are the other facts:age

height : 6’-0"
weight : 185 lbs
waist : 31
describe body and facial hair : Balding, normal hair on face, arms, and legs, less on chest
did to grow fast or slow and steady as a teen : Slow and steady
testes ache or hurt? ever? : Yes, achy years ago. Was told by a doc that it was epiditimitus, antibiotics seemed to help?
mood : Foggy, lethargic
depression : Not yet
libido : Low!!!
get cold easily? a change? :No
dry skin, brittle nails? : No
use iodized salt? : Not sure
eat much sea food? : Not much
exposure to chemicals? : No
ever used hair loss drugs? : Rogaine, 15 years ago
Rx and OTC drugs : Currently trying BCS Labs, Formadex PCT to see if it helps. Should I stop, until I see someone that has a bit more experience in TRT???

So my questions are:
I’ve tried to contact the compounding pharm here in Houston to no avail. Looking for a good TRT that is trustworthy. I have Blue Sheild insurance…
Are the OTC AI (Formadex PCT) any good? Worth it? I just started some yesterday, and it seems to be making a difference on my brain fog, but I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect.

Guys, thanks again in advance for any help or advice, and sorry it was so long!!

2

did they check your RBC? sometimes people get secondary polycythemia on TRT… it is good to check or donate blood. hope you get more answers and feel better!

3

Thanks qkcam. No, I don’t believe they did. The only lab work they did prior to starting me on Androgel was T level, thyroid, and PSA level. To clarify, I was actually seeing my doc for an enflamed prostate. I asked him to check my T levels while I was there, and the rest is history.

Hmmm, it just occurred to me that whenever I have prostate flare-ups, I also tend to suffer from all the other symptoms as well. Interesting; more research is needed…

4

[quote]blackhawk210 wrote:

So my questions are:
I’ve tried to contact the compounding pharm here in Houston to no avail. Looking for a good TRT that is trustworthy. I have Blue Sheild insurance…
Are the OTC AI (Formadex PCT) any good? Worth it? I just started some yesterday, and it seems to be making a difference on my brain fog, but I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect.

Guys, thanks again in advance for any help or advice, and sorry it was so long!!

[/quote]

Try an online search; research chemicals peptides. You my find some items of interest for your rats there.

I do have an issue with a guy who is 45 and having sex 3 times a day (did I read that right?). Maybe you only get so many tickets to ride that ride and now you are all out! :wink:

5

Thanks for the info doublelung84. Damn, I hope I ain’t out of tickets!!! :slight_smile: To clarify, yeah, we were fooling quite a bit for the first year or so. Like I said though, it’s tapered quite a bit, due to my occasional ED and libido issues… We are still active, but nothing like before.

Been looking through, and trying to absorb as much information here as I can. Have come up with the following comments/questions:

  1. Still looking for a doc in Houston that’s willing to test for more than just “T”
  2. Iodine. We use (almost exclusively) sea salt in the house. Now, we do eat quite a bit of greek yogurt, milk, cheese, etc, so? Research continues…
  3. E2. Still on the Formadex PCT. Not sure if it’s helping or not. I seem to be a bit clearer (placebo?), but no real effect on libido. I was hoping that if I was high E2, this would have had an effect by now.
  4. Here’s the biggie. When I went on TRT, I was about 50 pounds heavier, stressed at work, and in a horrible marriage. I am in MUCH better shape now, exercise regularly, eat right, and am in a great relationship. I wonder if coming off of the test might be an option, now that I’m in a better place.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

6

One more quick question:
I just scheduled an appointment with my Urologist. We are gonna have a ‘come to Jesus meeting’. If I am currently taking Formadex PCT, how long would I need to have be off of it before I can get an ‘accurate’ E2 work-up?

7

[quote]blackhawk210 wrote:
One more quick question:
I just scheduled an appointment with my Urologist. We are gonna have a ‘come to Jesus meeting’. If I am currently taking Formadex PCT, how long would I need to have be off of it before I can get an ‘accurate’ E2 work-up? [/quote]

I dont know jack about that one, sorry!

8

[quote]blackhawk210 wrote:
Thanks for the info doublelung84. Damn, I hope I ain’t out of tickets!!! :slight_smile: To clarify, yeah, we were fooling quite a bit for the first year or so. Like I said though, it’s tapered quite a bit, due to my occasional ED and libido issues… We are still active, but nothing like before.

Been looking through, and trying to absorb as much information here as I can. Have come up with the following comments/questions:

  1. Still looking for a doc in Houston that’s willing to test for more than just “T”
  2. Iodine. We use (almost exclusively) sea salt in the house. Now, we do eat quite a bit of greek yogurt, milk, cheese, etc, so? Research continues…
  3. E2. Still on the Formadex PCT. Not sure if it’s helping or not. I seem to be a bit clearer (placebo?), but no real effect on libido. I was hoping that if I was high E2, this would have had an effect by now.
  4. Here’s the biggie. When I went on TRT, I was about 50 pounds heavier, stressed at work, and in a horrible marriage. I am in MUCH better shape now, exercise regularly, eat right, and am in a great relationship. I wonder if coming off of the test might be an option, now that I’m in a better place.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance![/quote]

I’m not sure I ever heard of someone wanting to come off of their “Test”. I have heard of people have issues and changing their dosage to find their sweet-spot.

I assume that 50 lbs was not a good looking 50 lbs.? All of those factors play a part in how you feel. Bad marriage= stress= poor diet= weight gain, etc. I always felt one thing plays off the other. Your test could have helped your mood; relieving stress and making you want to take care of yourself. Then you drop the weight and get in the gym, adding to feeling even better. Let’s not forget, sex can be therapeutic, and you were getting a fair amount of therapy!