TRT and Snoring/Sleep Apnea

Pharma / TRT Testosterone Replacement
1

I used the search function and found a couple of older posts on this topic, but I wanted to bring it up again. I’ve been on TRT for about 4 months, and just within the past week or so my wife has told me that my snoring is very loud. I’ve also noticed that I feel exhausted when I wake up in the morning, as well as throughout the day.

I’ve read a couple of articles about how increased testosterone can contribute to excessive snoring and/or sleep apnea. One article stated that an increase in red blood cell count can cause this, but I don’t understand how that can cause breathing obstructions. I don’t have a thick neck and am not overweight, which I understand can cause obstructed breathing. Any input would be helpful.

2

I had the same issue before starting trt and it got worse after I began trt. Like you I’ve never been overweight or have any obstructions in my airwaves. You would probably benefit from seeing a sleep specialist who will probably suggest a cpap. It takes some time to get used to but made the world of difference for me. And btw, sleep apnea can be fatal so don’t put this off.

3

Thanks for the reply. I figured I’d need a cpap, and am not opposed to the idea.

4

Whats your dose? And whats your T level on TRT? Any other labs?

5

Any amount of overbite can also cause sleep apnea. I know it contributes to mine.

Smoking and other factors can cause it as well. You don’t necessarily need to be overweight.

6

My dose as of 1/6/20 is 200 mg/week of Test Cyp split into twice a week injections. The most recent labs are from 12/20/19, total T is 599 ng/dl and free T is 13.7.

7

Did you recently change your dose? Snoring developed just recently?

8

Yes, I’ve increased my dose from 180mg/week to 200mg/week. The intense snoring started about a week after the dosage change. Prior to that I felt well rested after starting TRT (poor sleep was one of my pre TRT symptoms).

9

Then why did you change your dose? 599 ng/dl total T and 13.7 ng/dl freeT are good levels at trough. 12 to 24 hours post injection these levels are much higher anyway, most likely somewhere close to 1000 for TT and 20 for fT.

Go down to 160 per week, inject 3x per week and be happy (and life a live without a CPAP machine and have a happy wife)

10

Thanks for the suggestion Johann77. I was a bit hesitant to change dosage too soon because I was wanting to wait for my hormone levels to balance out.

11

I always believed it went the other way, apnea causes the increase in hematocrit and red blood cells. The lack of oxygen caused the increase similar to how those living at high altitudes will have higher a hematocrit.