Lab Results - Now What?

Pharma TRT
41

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:

I guess if the doctor says I’m normal, I’ll ask why my T is at the bottom of the scale. I suppose he could just say everyone is built differently, but I’m not sure that’s a good enough answer. [/quote]

You will have better luck with this doctor focusing on SYMPTOMS not NUMBERS…better to phrase the question as “why do i feel like shit, with all the symptoms of Low T <> with accompanying bloodwork demonstrating that I am low in T…this is not in my head, i do not choose to have low libido and not be intimate with my wife <<etc, etc>>”

As long as you are not getting flareups now that you are an adult, you will probably not have a recurrence after the surgery…you need to keep your E2 in check in order to ensure this, but most people are successful with the surgery if they do not do anything stupid to their hormones later down the line…

42

[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:

I guess if the doctor says I’m normal, I’ll ask why my T is at the bottom of the scale. I suppose he could just say everyone is built differently, but I’m not sure that’s a good enough answer. [/quote]

You will have better luck with this doctor focusing on SYMPTOMS not NUMBERS…better to phrase the question as “why do i feel like shit, with all the symptoms of Low T <> with accompanying bloodwork demonstrating that I am low in T…this is not in my head, i do not choose to have low libido and not be intimate with my wife <<etc, etc>>”

As long as you are not getting flareups now that you are an adult, you will probably not have a recurrence after the surgery…you need to keep your E2 in check in order to ensure this, but most people are successful with the surgery if they do not do anything stupid to their hormones later down the line…
[/quote]

Thanks for the tips. The thing is my symptoms aren’t extreme. I still have desire for sex sometimes, though not near as often as a couple years ago. And when we do have sex a nice strong boner is not problem for me to produce. lol…

The symptoms that bother me are poor energy (generally feeling drained and too weak to want to exercise etc), mild depression, anxiety, poor muscle development, fat around waist and chest- everywhere else is thin, and I’d consider myself to have below average body hair/facial hair.
To be honest, I feel like just as much of a “man” now as I did when I was 17… Never felt like I transitioned fully into a “man”. I see myself as a guy, and that on it’s own is depressing at my age of almost 30…

As for flareups with gynecomastia- my chest feels like it’s been consistent with my weight as it has fluctuated over the years- except the past year where I’ve either grown more self conscious about it, or it has actually grown… I’ve gotten all my weigh ins at that doctor since 2004, and back in 2004 I was 133… Back then I slightly felt self conscious but not nearly as much as now. In 2008 I topped out at 185ish and still wasn’t as self conscious as I am now at 165. It could be several things. Maybe 165 is that awkward in between stage where I’m fat enough to have bigger moobs, but thinner around them than at 185. Or maybe my taking Tagamet every night for several months caused my hormones to go out of whack and caused a growth…

I’m just not sure- very confused “guy” over here!

43

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:

[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:

I guess if the doctor says I’m normal, I’ll ask why my T is at the bottom of the scale. I suppose he could just say everyone is built differently, but I’m not sure that’s a good enough answer. [/quote]

You will have better luck with this doctor focusing on SYMPTOMS not NUMBERS…better to phrase the question as “why do i feel like shit, with all the symptoms of Low T <> with accompanying bloodwork demonstrating that I am low in T…this is not in my head, i do not choose to have low libido and not be intimate with my wife <<etc, etc>>”

As long as you are not getting flareups now that you are an adult, you will probably not have a recurrence after the surgery…you need to keep your E2 in check in order to ensure this, but most people are successful with the surgery if they do not do anything stupid to their hormones later down the line…
[/quote]

Thanks for the tips. The thing is my symptoms aren’t extreme. I still have desire for sex sometimes, though not near as often as a couple years ago. And when we do have sex a nice strong boner is not problem for me to produce. lol…

The symptoms that bother me are poor energy (generally feeling drained and too weak to want to exercise etc), mild depression, anxiety, poor muscle development, fat around waist and chest- everywhere else is thin, and I’d consider myself to have below average body hair/facial hair.
To be honest, I feel like just as much of a “man” now as I did when I was 17… Never felt like I transitioned fully into a “man”. I see myself as a guy, and that on it’s own is depressing at my age of almost 30…

As for flareups with gynecomastia- my chest feels like it’s been consistent with my weight as it has fluctuated over the years- except the past year where I’ve either grown more self conscious about it, or it has actually grown… I’ve gotten all my weigh ins at that doctor since 2004, and back in 2004 I was 133… Back then I slightly felt self conscious but not nearly as much as now. In 2008 I topped out at 185ish and still wasn’t as self conscious as I am now at 165. It could be several things. Maybe 165 is that awkward in between stage where I’m fat enough to have bigger moobs, but thinner around them than at 185. Or maybe my taking Tagamet every night for several months caused my hormones to go out of whack and caused a growth…

I’m just not sure- very confused “guy” over here!

[/quote]

Jesus, you don’t consider that to be severe symptoms?

You have simply become accustomed to them… that doesn’t make them not severe.

44

lol. well I guess when I say not extreme I mean it’s not all the time.
Example a month ago we were in Chicago on vacation and we walked around for like 6 hours and I didn’t have any problems. Sure I got tired, but I didn’t give up and say let’s go back to the hotel or anything…

Another- some days I’m really happy go lucky and feel great and others I just don’t want to get out of bed. Most days I feel alright in the morning but by mid-day feel drained already…
Most weekends I lay in bed and watch TV, often not showering until mid afternoon or evening.

You are right in a sense I may have grown accustomed to them.

The desire for sex I know has gone down. I remember almost every night I used to try to get some action in bed, or get my wife to bed earlier to try to get some… Now I don’t even think about it much at all. I don’t know if I’ve just given up, or what- but pretty much we have sex when she wants, or occasionally I’ll be feeling frisky and bust a move. I’d say I “feel frisky” twice a month or so, maybe less.

Still feel they’re severe? I just don’t know…
It’s been so gradual that I guess I never really woke and asked “what’s wrong with me?”

45

Oh yea- forgot to mention irritable. I’m a real asshole sometimes.
Not sure if it has anything to do with my Xanax or not… (I’m prescribed Xanax 3x daily for anxiety, if I miss it I get pretty ugly sometimes lol)

But irritability has been an issue with me for a long time so it could be nothing to do with it…

46

Oh yea… again. Poor memory- not sure if this can be related to poor T levels, but my memory is awful. Forget peoples names who I’ve just met, always have to put a reminder on my phone so I won’t forget things. Loop around the block to double check the garage door etc.
All this I think can be related to the xanax, but who knows.
Sadly… I don’t remember if my memory was poor before starting xanax. Ironic I know. I seem to think it was and always kind of has been an issue, but I could be wrong.

Jeez I feel like a mess after reading all of this.

47

Look at your last three posts. That’s not how people are supposed to live.

Realizing that is what got me into a doc’s office. Working through drawn out shit is tough when one of the symptoms is fatigue/lack of motivation… but you have a good start of suggestions in this thread

48

[quote]scj119 wrote:
Look at your last three posts. That’s not how people are supposed to live.

Realizing that is what got me into a doc’s office. Working through drawn out shit is tough when one of the symptoms is fatigue/lack of motivation… but you have a good start of suggestions in this thread[/quote]

You’re right. Thanks.

I’m going to just keep going to doctors or push them until they test me thoroughly and get to the bottom of it.

To be honest I was kind of surprised the doctor didn’t want me to wait until morning to draw the blood. He had his nurse do it while I was in his office for my first visit… Oh well- I’ll post updates as they occur.

BTW- my mothers mother had her thyroid taken out when my mom was a teenager. (60’s/early 70’s) To my moms recollection she thinks she had a tumor but that was 40 years ago, so she may be mistaken about why it was taken out. But it definitely was. Maybe my family has thyroid issues… #dunno

49

Update- went to the endo today. Without requesting it he brought up the idea of trying T gel for 3 months to see how it makes me feel, etc.
He prescribed Testim, and has told me to apply it daily. After 1 month I go in for a lab - total T and Estradiol to see how I’m doing.
If the numbers look okay and I have no concerns I continue until 3rd month in which I go in for a follow up and let him know how I feel on it.

He made it clear that it is likely while on T supplements my testes will slow down or likely stop production of sperm- fine by me, my wife and I don’t want another kid- we’re happy as is. :slight_smile:

I am very concerned about the gel coming in to contact with my wife or especially my son. The directions on the box tell me to wash with soap and water the areas I put it on if I plan to have any skin to skin contact. Going to be a pain in the ass if I want to get frisky with my wife 12+ hours after applying it I still have to wash it. Or if my son gives me a hug and his arms touch my shoulders, etc…

If it is as bad as it seems in terms of secondary exposure, and the TRT makes me feel better I may ask in 3 months to try injections, if I can self administer them weekly and not have to come in to see him every couple weeks.

So that’s my update as of now. He said when presenting this option we could maybe get my T to around 800 which is plenty! I was thinking I’d probably be happy at 600…
Anywho- wish me luck that my body doesn’t throw all this T into Estradiol and become counter productive.

Will update as things happen.

Oh- and I was pleasantly surprised with the price- 40 bucks with insurance for a 30 day supply. If it works- not a bad price to pay…

Feedback, suggestions, etc welcome. :slight_smile:

50

Low…wear a shirt. Also tell your doctor to prescribe you hcg so your testicles don’'t shrivel to walnuts perhaps affecting your adrenal system for the rest of your life.

51

My only real concern with TRT as an option is I’m concerned what if in 2 years my wife and I change our minds and decide we want another kid?
Even though I don’t see this happening, I don’t want to rule it out.

My doctor told me after stopping TRT the testes wake back up with time and start working again. The time varies, especially depending on how long TRT has been in play. He said around 3 months, but for people who are on it longer it can take up to a year.

If that was the worst case- having to wait for my balls to function properly again, I’d feel fine with it. But after the testes stop working and “go to sleep”, when they resume production is there any damage done? Anything that would put my sperm at risk of producing an unhealthy baby?

52

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:
My only real concern with TRT as an option is I’m concerned what if in 2 years my wife and I change our minds and decide we want another kid?
Even though I don’t see this happening, I don’t want to rule it out.

My doctor told me after stopping TRT the testes wake back up with time and start working again. The time varies, especially depending on how long TRT has been in play. He said around 3 months, but for people who are on it longer it can take up to a year.

If that was the worst case- having to wait for my balls to function properly again, I’d feel fine with it. But after the testes stop working and “go to sleep”, when they resume production is there any damage done? Anything that would put my sperm at risk of producing an unhealthy baby?

[/quote]

As I said, take hcg.

And I meant endocrine system not adrenal in my last post.

53

I take it you never got your cortisol checked?

Possible subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH > 2 for you) may make it harder to absorb the gel (which a lot of people don’t absorb well anyway)

54

You are worried about nothing…if its a huge concern for you, go get some sperm frozen…but you can take hmg (not to be confused with hcg) while on TRT and be fine, and that is assuming your sperm counts fall too low in the first place (they might not).

Do not take hcg until you have a confirmed need. Always take the least amount of medications needed for desired response. If in 3-4 weeks, your nuts have shrivled up, that is when to pursue hcg–not before.\

If you are so worried about transferring to your kids, just explain to your doc your concerns and push for T shots now…this isn’t rocket surgery…

55

scj- nope- he didn’t request any testing on cortisol or additional thyroid levels.

VTBalla- I like the way you think. I’ll give it a shot and take one step at a time. If my balls shrivel I’ll let him know. Even then, I’m not worried about current sperm status, but potential future status. And I don’t believe in the use of fertility drugs to help induce pregnancy- not a religious choice, personal choice.

About the gel vs injections- since this doctor is so busy and hard to get in to, I will do the 3 month trial on the gel, and if i see enough benefit to continue T supplement- I will then ask to explore other options.

I still need to find out if the secondary exposure is as risky and potent as Testim makes it sound or if they’re just covering their asses.
(several hours after applying it, if my son hugs me- do i really need to worry- or is it mainly only within the first hour or so?)
That I’ll have to do quite a bit more research on…

56

Applied my first dose about 10 minutes ago. As I’ve read it is pretty sticky and has a pretty strong alcohol smell.
Very tedious process, I can’t see myself doing this the rest of my life if this is in fact the solution…
My shirt is sticking to me, however it seemed dry before I put on my shirt. Should I maybe wait a few minutes longer next time?

I’d rather do a quick shot once or twice a week than apply this crap every day in addition to having to worry about contaminating my house with T…

Will update soon- any feedback on anything would be great.

57

[quote]lowTinTX wrote:
Applied my first dose about 10 minutes ago. As I’ve read it is pretty sticky and has a pretty strong alcohol smell.
Very tedious process, I can’t see myself doing this the rest of my life if this is in fact the solution…
My shirt is sticking to me, however it seemed dry before I put on my shirt. Should I maybe wait a few minutes longer next time?

I’d rather do a quick shot once or twice a week than apply this crap every day in addition to having to worry about contaminating my house with T…

Will update soon- any feedback on anything would be great.[/quote]

Just remember that if you go the shots route 2-3 injections weekly, forget about 1 shot weekly. If I had to decide it would be shots definitely over gel.

58

[quote]iroczinoz wrote:

Just remember that if you go the shots route 2-3 injections weekly, forget about 1 shot weekly. If I had to decide it would be shots definitely over gel.[/quote]

Some people do perfectly fine on one shot weekly. That is where I would probably start for convenience. You will know very quickly if you need to switch to a more frequent protocol.

59

Well it’s really early to feel much benefit already- but today despite coming down with a cold- I felt pretty damn good. I didn’t feel tired and weak midday like I typically would. Could be a coincidence but perhaps not.
One concern is my breast area felt kind of sore. Not an obvious pain- but a bit sore. Even then could have been
my paranoia playing games with me…

I’m wondering if I should take it again tomorrow. I’m 28 and have
Low T. Not abnormally low- but pretty low. Perhaps I should ask the doctor to
Invest his time into finding the cause. I’ve had injuries (no concussions) and have had injury to the testes like we all have, but nothing that required medical attention. The head injury was a car accident where my head broke the windshield. But I didn’t get a concussion and wasn’t diagnosed with a significant head injury.

What should I do? Also- should I just take my lab I’m supposed to use in a month and do it next week early in the AM to get a better baseline? Ive only applied 1 day of Testim so I’d assume if I stopped for a week then took that test it’d be accurate.

Thoughts?

Sorry for any mis-spellings typing from my phone.

60

[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:

[quote]iroczinoz wrote:

Just remember that if you go the shots route 2-3 injections weekly, forget about 1 shot weekly. If I had to decide it would be shots definitely over gel.[/quote]

Some people do perfectly fine on one shot weekly. That is where I would probably start for convenience. You will know very quickly if you need to switch to a more frequent protocol.[/quote]

VT what is your take on having multiple injections. For example, if someone is doing fine on 1 shot per week do you think there is always room for improvement having multiple? Or can you have exactly the same results with 1 shot per week? Or will there always be a slight benefit (even if very small) from multiple shots?