I’ve been undergoing TRT with my family practitioner for about 7 weeks now. At about the one month mark, a follow up blood sample was drawn and sent to lab. Here is the letter explaining my results:
“I am just dropping you a note with your recent results. Your estradiol level was 20, which is appropriate for a male. Your testosterone level is 45, with normals being from 240-950. Your free testosterone level is 20.3 with normals from 9-30. If we have not seen any improvement yet with your symptoms, we could try increasing the dose in the AndroGel. However, if this is not beneficial, we will have to go to the depo form which is injectable. The free form however is in the upper two-thirds of the normal range; so I am wondering how much more benefit we are going to get out of using this form. If you would like to discuss increasing your dose of the AndroGel or if you would prefer to change to the injectable form, please set up an appointment at your convenience and we will change the therapy.”
He started me out with the 2.5gm dose of AndroGel per day. Of the symptoms I have [fatigue, low to no libido, brain fog, occasional depression] the only thing I have noticed any improvement in at all is the brain fog. I feel a little sharper mentally.
So how can my free testosterone be in the normal range when my total testosterone numbers are sooo far out of range? Any recomendations?
Something occured to me that might effect any responses any of you readers might provide.
What if the doctor had a typo on that 45 and it was supposed to be 245??? That would make a little more sense, but I would still expect my total testosterone levels to be farther into the normal range than my free testosterone…and it appears to be just the opposite.
First and foremost 2.5gm of AndroGel per day is probably going to shut down your own natural production and not be enough to get you very high. You will need 5-10 gm per day to see any significant level increase more than likely.
If you are going to go on HRT you might as well get your levels in to an area that is of benefit and you feel good with. Shoot for the upper third range on your blood tests. E2 looks good. Once it gets above 30 most people don’t feel as good on the testosterone. Transdermals will more closely replicate your bodies own production but will not absorb well for some people. If you decide to bump to 5gm or 10 gm and you don’t see a significant rise in your levels you will almost surely need to go to injectable testosterone.
Be sure and have your Dr. keep an eye on your E2 if you do inject. It will almost certainly creep up. The more often you can inject the less likely it is to rise. Try injecting every third day and split your dose to help.