I’ve been taking 100mg of TRT weekly for a few months now, I’ve had my Total T, free T and SHGB checked, but my doctor refuses to test my E2, so I have to wait to see a specialist in january when my insurance kicks in. Also my total testosterone is 475, and my free T is 119 ( not sure of the units) they’re both in the “normal” range but I’m 23 years old and that seems low to me. I’m fatigued All the time, no motivation or energy, the only noticeable effects are body hair, muscle definition, and slightly more horny, I have had no mental health benefits. I am considered “obese” but not by much. I just need some hope, because I Hate feeling like this, I work, go home, go to sleep, and go back to work, I have no interest in anything, no drive. The only thing I can think of that is obvious is my E2 being high, but I don’t know how likely it is, because my doctor claims that it’s rare (he is Not a specialist, and I don’t trust him, but options are limited without insurance)
It honestly just sounds like you need more T. Your number is around where a 75 year old man should fall. Forget about E2 for now and focus on getting that FT number up.
Thanks for the response, I’m terrified that when I go in January nothing will be wrong, and it’s just me. I cannot imagine having to live life like this forever. Good to know that my level NOT normal, and there is a problem.
You need to convince your doctor that you feel a bit better but know there is room for improvement. See if he will let you get to middle or high end of “normal” because you dont feel great at the low end.
I did, and I even brought up the fact that I thought my T level was still too low. He said when he gets my level into the “normal range” it’s out of his hands as a GP. I flat out asked if he would take up my dose a bit and he said “No, let’s leave it to the specialist.”
You are being kept suboptimal because most likely of a directive that your healthcare provider probably chosen for safety which keeps guys symptomatic, my provider does the same by keeping men closer to the low 400 ng/dL range, except the average 47 year old man my age is higher.
Your testosterone levels are low and that’s why you feel the way you do, your FT is low and needs to be at the top of the ranges. Some guys aromatase more than others, I’ve seen lean muscular guys who aromatase like crazy.
You’ll probably have to seek private care to access a true TRT specialist and not someone who is a TRT specialist by title only. Most doctors in sick care specialize in other areas of medicine and not TRT and only prescribe TRT on occasion.
Some guys don’t do well on once weekly dosing, some guys need twice weekly dosing while others need more frequent dosing. I need 7mg daily or 18-20mg EOD dosing to see benefits of TRT.
As far as the comment about high estrogen being rare, your doctor thinks it’s rare because he probably hasn’t treated enough patients to know any better.
I wouldn’t expect a different outcome from an endocrinologist or urologist, there’s only a very small chance you find someone knowledgeable under insurance.
You need to increase your dose, 150mg would be fine to try, but I think I would go straight to 200mg once weekly given your history and labs. I doubt E2 is a problem but still would keep an eye on it.
As mentioned above, I also think you’ll have a difficult time getting what you need through insurance based care. The doctors may or may not be knowledgeable. Keep in mind they are taught to go by numbers and “the range”. Regardless, even if they know otherwise, their hands are tied by insurance restrictions.
Unfortunatley my insurance will only cover the specialist he refers me to. I’m hoping he will listen to me, and take my dose up. If not I’m not sure what to do… I can’t afford it otherwise really.
So if I tell him I still don’t feel well, and he won’t raise my dose, would he make up an excuse or will he bring up the insurance restrictions? Because I’m gonna tell I feel like shit and that from research I’ve done, my current level is about the same as a 75 year old man.
There’s always “grey market” if you had no other choice. It’s better than feeling like shit the rest of your life. Get the prescription for whatever he’ll give you then supplement on your own with some extra. That way at least you legitimately have a prescription for T and you can keep letting insurance pay for the lab tests
So what should Iook for, if I’m trying to find “private care”? What would I type on Google, or look for?
It’s not as expensive as you may think, it average about to $100-$150 monthly through telemedicine clinics.
What else do you feel besides being tired and lacking drive? Is brain fog there? ED issues?
No ED issues, but tons of brain fog, and focus issues.
Oh and sometimes I get very irritable…
What are your thyroid values?
I have noticed here that when TRT doesn’t improve or just a little, that it is almost because the person has problem with their thyroid.
You may have ADHD. ADHD can cause low T indirectly. Many with it or ADD have sleep issues. Sleep issues will lower T in most.
I am starting to think that my low T was due to insomnia caused by ADHD. Additionally, stress levels are usually higher in those with attention issues. Stress is not good for optimal hormones.
I’ve never had then tested but I do have alot of the symptoms… I’ll look into that as well
I have hypogandism due to one of my testicles dying at birth, and I do have ADHD probably, I did when I was young but I don’t want to take even more medication.