So general rule of thumb you guys would forget attempting to do this naturally from where I am? I have my appointment booked so I will see what is said there. What typical range levels of test is hypogonadism diagnosed/ TRT prescribed? I do have symptoms… taking time to recover from gym sessions/fatigue, no motivation professionally, irritable, lack of sex drive, no morning wood, ED etc
I don’t personally think there’s much hope of fixing this naturally. I could be wrong, and it is a big deal to commit to something like TRT, potentially for life, but the symptoms you describe also suck… very few people get on TRT and then are like “oh wow, I’d much rather have no motivation/libido/etc than to have to take an injection a few times a week max”.
It depends a lot on the doc you are working with. Some will 100% require you be below the “normal” range 2-3x in a row before they will even consider prescribing anything. Some will factor in symptoms more and realize that even at the low end of “normal” you can be deficient for how much YOU need to feel optimal.
I was at free T of 6.3 [8.7 to 25.1 normal range] and had symptoms. My total T actually wasn’t terrible, it was middle range… but free T was super low and was causing my issues. They tried boron and some other OTC supplements first but that didn’t really do anything, then moved to injections, then I requested to be switched to creme.
Some people can be at the low end of normal and be perfectly happy/healthy. Some people need to be at the very top end of the range to feel normal. Ideally, find a doctor who will work with you to resolve symptoms vs. just treating the numbers. It’s very much an individual thing IMO.
1 Like
Hi guys,
I pretty much still dont feel well at all. I have next to no libido at all, erections are poor (although the cialis helps somewhat, my sex drive is still pretty much non existant). I get fatigue, brain fog, motivation for anything is poor, and I woke up this morning for some reason feeling really, really down. Based on my labs and symptoms, what would your thoughts be? These are the classic symptoms of such low t levels arent they? I have an appointment with my GP in 2 weeks, so will see what is said then.
I have a query also and was wondering if any of you could shed some light on this. About 2/3 months ago for a good 4 to 6 weeks I was experiencing a dull ache in my testicles. I cant describe it as real pain, just a dull annoying ache. Anyway, it went away after a month or so and has not come back. But do any of you have any idea what they may of been?
Thank you
Testicular atrophy. It isn’t uncommon on TRT. Some people use HCG to prevent or reverse it.
Thank you for your reply, but I am not on TRT
Oops. Just ignore me
Looks like a testicular issue that needs to be checked by experienced urologist
I had that checked by a urologist and there were no problems there. It’s not crucial, as like I said I no longer have it, but was just wondering if there was a link at all.
I now have my GP appointment tomorrow as I managed to get a cancelation, will look to get a referral to an endo.
Thanks
I think you will only waste your time and nerves with the endocrinologist. He may prescribe you TRT because of your extreme low levels but he will put you on a terrible protocol.
I am slightly confused, surely a hormone specialist in the very best person to go to?
Most are much worse than you would expect given its their area or expertise. Usually they start at doses too low and/or will only give you one injection every 2 weeks which means levels are lower at the end of 2 weeks than you’re at now.
There are some that have figured out at least 1 injection per week helps keep things much more stable.
It’s worth going to see what he says. There are lots of TRT clinics across the country that will prescribe you a proper protocol if he won’t.
These are some of the average for men in a particular age group, this is how you stack up to others in the population of men who are healthy.
25-34 years of age 45 subjects 617 ng/dL or 21.4 nmol/L
35-44 years 22 subjects of age 669 ng/dL
45-54 years of age 23 subjects 606 ng/dL
55-64 years of age 43 subjects 562 ng/dL
65- 74 years of age 47 subjects 524 ng/dL
75-84 years of age 48 subjects 471 ng/dL
85-100 years of age 21 subjects 376 ng/dL or 13 nmol/L
The locally weighted regression showed that total testosterone levels of 440 and 480 ng/dL (16.5 nmol/L) were associated with increased Framingham CVD risk and an increased probability of increased hsCRP, respectively. Men with sexual dysfunction (poor sexual performance, decreased morning erection, and loss of libido) had significantly greater CVD risk.
I would refrain from seeking out an ordinary endocrinologist for treatment, but instead look for someone who prescribes TRT on a daily basis who is up to date on current research and modern TRT protocols and checking all the relevant biomarkers during the course of treatment.
An example, you need to give DHEA and pregnenolone to some men because you are losing 35 other hormones do to shutting down LH, otherwise you will perceive you’re not getting better because other brain hormone are deficient.
Your ordinary doctor isn’t going to understand any of this because they are sheep, you want the sheep herder because they are leading the sheep.
Clomid is a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator), a drug that essentially tricks your brain into thinking you are low in estrogen by blocking the receptor site in the hypothalamus so it does not “see” estrogen and your brain thinks you are low.
Therefore, the hypothalamus sends gonadotropin releasing hormone to the pituitary which then sends luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone to the testicles to increase testosterone. The idea is that increased testosterone will increase estrogen through aromatization.
While Clomid is anti-estrogenic in the breast and hypothalamus, it is estrogenic in other tissues, like the brain. For example, it increases test, so more is aromatized to estradiol. The LH increase stimulates aromatization in the Leydig cells and there is also an isomer of clomiphene which acts as an estrogen. So estrogen will increase.
This is why some do not do well with Clomid and why it is never to be used as a long term low test solution. It is very useful short term and for post cycle therapy by anabolic steroid users.
2 Likes
@highpull
Great post! I didn’t know that about clomid
Go see the endo just but do your own reading here as well. Endos don’t do a lot of HRT and some are clueless and will use what little they learned 30 yrs ago to address your concerns. Much has changed in the last 10 years and most aren’t up to date on the topic. In the end it’s your body and you want to know as much as you can to get the result you want/need.
Hi guys,
Thanks for your help so far I do really appreciate all the help. I went to my GP and indeed got my referral to an Endo. I am going to go and see what they say, but if I do decide to go down the route of TRT (as is looking increasingly likely), after the advice on here I will go to a TRT specialist rather than NHS.
I have a query regarding a symptom I am experiencing. I do have quite a few symptoms of having low T but I am noticing it more with regards to the sexual aspect with low libido and erection issues. One thing I am experiencing is what I can only describe as sensitivity at the tip of my penis. As such, I am experiencing premature ejaculation. Normally, I would be able to last an average 25 mins or so something like that, but now I can easily ejaculate within minutes, due to the end of my penis being extra sensitive. It is what I can only describe as a tingling sensation. Any ideas? I am suffering from erections issues as stated due to low T, so not sure if this is a side effect from this or potentially a hormonal issue also? I have posted my labs earlier in this post (Test levels extremely low 6.6 and 7.6 nmols), however the only one I have not had tested is my Estrogen, I assume the specialist when I see them will want to check this and I will get it done then.
Thank you
Edit: I can’t get seen by the Endo until end of Jan!
Could be low estrogen? Super hot chic? Who knows
Dude this is America (unless you’re not in America) you can just go to another endo that isn’t friends with your doc and gets all his referrals.
Yeah I’m not in America, I’m in the UK!
Could low E cause something like that? Could Cialis cause it? As I am taking this daily
Thanks
Sign me up if it comes with an extra sensitive D
1 Like
I was just thinking the same thing @ncsugrad2002. I suffer from the exact opposite. Missionary sex works just fine and in a “normal” amount of time. Other positions where I’m not the active pusher and hand/mouth stimulation are a fucking marathon… I’d like to once feel like what PE feels like.