Hello all, new forum member looking for some help. I’m 53 years old, excellent health, been on TRT for a few years now. I competed many years ago in bodybuilding, making it to national level but had a couple of injuries/surgeries and stopped for a long time because of a back surgery. During the years of competing I cycled many times with no issues. Since I’ve started back I feel pretty good, seem tired now and then with trouble sleeping, but way too emotional it seems. The biggest concern is my libido/erections. I dont seem to be interested as much, and when my wife and I get together, I always reach orgasm, but there are times I can’t get an erection, and lots of times my erection quality isn’t very good or doesn’t last long. My diet is excellent, I’m very active, but I never know if I’m going to have erection issues or not, therefore I avoid initiating things more than not with my wife. After reading many threads here I thought maybe my Estradiol was low. I had some blood work done last week and here are the results:
I’ve seen in a few of the postings that Estradiol should be in the low 20’s, so I’m assuming I’m ok there, so I’m confused on what’s causing the issues. I’ve been taking 250IU of HCG EOD for the last few weeks, and no AI, just the HCG. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Low thyroid function can create most of the same symptoms of low T. But you might feel the cold easier and have sparse outer eyebrows. All of this can be from not using iodized salt and/or vitamins that list iodine+selenium. Thyroid hormone fT3 controls ATP production in your cells as part of a body temperature control lool. Check your oral body temperatures as per the thyroid basics sticky.
Vit-D25 is an active essential hormone. Take 5000iu Vit-D3, find tiny oil based caps. Take with a meal that has fats and low fiber, avoid oat meal etc.
Sleep: What does wife say about your sleep? See if you can get a Rx for 150mg trazodone and start at 50mg. Time release 5-6mg melatonin may also help, must be time release, most are not. Room need to be dark or melatonin levels are reduced.
You are very active. Is that a lot of energy, or are you plowing through your day with sheer willpower and adrenaline?
Are you using iodized salt or sea salt. If sea salt, stop using that and check body temps of wife as well. Women are much more vulnerable to thyroid issues.
My sleep isn’t great at all. I toss and turn all night and always seem tired. I’ve tried Zzzyquil, which is a non addictive sleep aid but it doesn’t really do much good. As far as being active, it’s definitely not from an excess of energy, it’s just from sheer will power due to wanting to reach my fitness goals. The interrupted sleep really makes it hard to keep going. I have started the D3 supplement like you mentioned, and don’t really use much salt but when I do it is iodized. You mentioned staying away from oatmeal. I’m curious why that is, because I do eat it every day for breakfast.