Hi guys, fantastic site with a wealth of information, thought I would start a thread after recently starting TRT.
-age – 37
-height-- 5’10
-waist --32
-weight --160
-describe body and facial hair --Fairly heavy beard, arm and leg hair, light on chest and back
-describe where you carry fat and how changed --no recent changes, but always have carried fat in midsection
-health conditions, symptoms [history]–no real prior health problems
-Rx and OTC drugs, any hair loss drugs or prostate drugs ever --No
-describe diet [some create substantial damage with starvation diets] --Diet is pretty good, dont eat heavily processed food and have always had a good metabolism so Ive always been able to kind of eat whatever I wanted. Definitely try to stick to lean protien/veggies/lots of fruit, that said, if we go out I dont hesitate to eat a giant cheeseburger and fries. Watch sugar intake and avoid HFCS like the plague.
-describe training [some ruin there hormones by over training]–Just recently started weight work since I figured that with my T levels back to normal (hopefully) its a good time. Im a cyclist and havnt really lifted since wrestling in high school. Currently training about 3 times a week with a beginner program I found on here.
-testes ache, ever, with a fever? never
-how have morning wood and nocturnal erections changed–no real change, still have morning erections
As for symptoms Ive had all the “classic” symptoms for years, low libido, energy, motivation, bouts of insomnia. I had blood work done when I was 27 due to the above symptoms, I dont have the labs but my total T was in the low 300 range, of course I was told it was normal and never questioned it unfortunately.
Finally saw my Dr in June for low T symptoms, mainly low libido/energy. Had labs done and got the following;
Date 6-7-2011 time 10:31am
range
T4 8.7 5.0-13.5
TSH 2.40 .50-5.00
Total T 326 285-950
Free T 67 50-247
% Free 2.1 1.8-3.2
SBG 29 10-74
Albumin Serum 4.7 3.7-5.0
Doctor reviewed and said I was technically in normal but definitely low, prescribed Androgel 1% at the lowest dose once a day. Felt absolutely fantastic for about a week and a half then I couldnt really tell that I felt any different which is what led me to start doing some more research and I found this website and learned alot.
I called and made appt to get levels checked and to ask about E2 and cortisol. Got the following results;
07-22-2011 9:57am
range
Total T 400 285-950
Free T 94 50-247
% Free 2.4 1.8-3.2
SBG 24 10-74
Albumin Serum 4.5 3.7-5.0
E2 13.6 13-54
Cortisol 21.1 8 am 4.3-22.4
4pm 3.1-16.7
We talked about how I felt and that I wished I had gotten my levels checked 1 week after starting to see what they were due to the fact that I felt so good for that 1st week. He said your T came up but not alot, so he switched me to Androgel 1.6 at the max dose (4 pumps or 81mg), first day of higher dose was this am. After reading about some other members experience using the gel it seems to work for some and not so much for others. It is a pain for someone active as I sometimes shower 2 or 3 times a day…pool…workout…etc, not to mention your supposed to shower before having contact with anyone.
So thats my experience to date, just thought Id put it up as Im sure to have more questions, feel free to comment if anything looks wrong and Im thankful for the amount of info this site has.