I believe you are one of those guys who will only show sexual function and libido when levels are in flux and not while levels are stable, I believe the cause is insensitive receptors. You often hear of others injecting only a couple of injections and are killing it in the gym within the first 6 weeks of treatment.
Plasma concentrations of free T3, free T4, cortisol, and prolactin did not vary significantly between the two phases, while testosterone and IGFā1 increased significantly after TRT. A significant improvement in all sexual parameters studied was found. The number of CAG triplets was negatively and significantly correlated with changes in all the sexual parameters, while opposite correlations were found between changes in sexual parameters and changes in testosterone levels; no correlation of change in IGF1 with change in sexual parameters was reported. On multiple linear regression analysis, after correction for changes in testosterone, nearly all the associations between the number of CAG triplets and changes in sexual parameters were confirmed.
Conclusions
Shorter length AR gene CAG repeat number is associated with the recovery of sexual function after TRT in postsurgical male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, independently of the effects of concomitant pituitaryāreplacement therapies. Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism independently influences recovery of male sexual function after testosterone replacement therapy in postsurgical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Thanks Systemlord. You know itās been a struggle for me.
About the only time I did feel libido was on my original protocol of 300mg every other week. Which, coincidentally, wouldāve seen the most fluctuation in hormone levels.
Should my current daily protocol not work, Iām not sure iāll continue with TRT. Just not sure what to do anymore.
You know what I think, if anything will work it will be a protocol that see levels in flux 24/7, your infrequent 300mg every other week had levels in flux. Have you tried T scrotal creams?
I believe you need levels to be in flux, once they stabilize the ride comes to an end. TRT is more than keeping levels sufficiently elevated, but also matching the natural rhythm of peaks and valleys for which you body responds.
This is not the first time I have seen men struggle after levels are stable, there is another guy on another forum who also have the exact same problem. That 300mg injection must have overcome the insensitive receptors by flooding them with androgens.
Iād love to try the cream, but I donāt have access to it unfortunately. Well, easy access that is.
Right now, Iād think my E2 would be fairly high, but I seem to feel ok and donāt really have symptoms, so Iām going to ride out this higher test level Iām dosing. See what happens.
I may adjust the daily dose up and down a notch daily to add some fluctuation.
I had poor results with axiron or androgel by themselves, however I had a difference experience when using axiron and androgel together, my penis became very sensitive within hours and had unlimited energy later in the day but was (1-2 hours) short lived which means it was probably a small dosage that made it past my skin giving me just a little extra T on top of my natural production.
I think I would do very well on scrotal T-cream being that there is many times better absorption on the testicles. Who knows if I could keep levels elevated long enough.
Didnāt you say youāve been on the protocol for 3 weeks? At 3 weeks in on my current protocol (which makes me feel amazing by the way) I felt like shit. No energy, no libido, no nothing. It took about 8 weeks and there were many times I wanted to change shit. Just be patient especially if itās going to be your last try. Imagine if you waited 5 more weeks and magically you are the best version of yourself you could have imaginedā¦ I feel like youāve been here long enough to know all of that though.
You can try HCG like I did. It produces estrogen in the testicles and I believe thatās why it helps. My dose increase didnāt do it. Sure I had libido but not what I experienced when I first started. No dose increase helped. HCG increases libido and sensiviry. I take 150iu twice a week.
More free t doesnāt always do it. More often itās more estrogen that does it.
The best way to describe the issue is that Iām attracted to women, but lack the drive/arousal when hooking up with one. Wasnāt like that when I was in my 20s.
Iāve been on just about every possible protocol, and each for extended periods of time. Mostly in the 100mg/week range, except for the first protocol of 300mg/every 2 weeks.
It would take me too long to post it all, along with bloods. My FT has been high out of range, but not as high as Dbossa claims is high enough.
SO, right now, Iām guessing (and hoping) that I just havenāt used large enough of a dose.
Currently Iām on (for the past 3 weeks or so) about 28mg/day. Last few days Iāve increased to 30mg/day. I have, just slightly, found a little more excitability, libido wise. Meaning Iām asking my girlfriend about sex more and what sheās wearing, etc. Could be a sign of something good to come. So far not having any E2 sides, but erection quality is a little less than normal with the help of PDE5s.
Hoping that by cranking up the FT (ala dbossa) iāll find some libido.
Itās that chemical reaction that occurs when turned on. Thatās whatās lacking. No blue balls. No drive, as in āI gotta get laid NOWā. No desire for masturbation.
Iāve tried acetylcholine and other things known to help desire/arousal, and they didnāt do much.
You have libido. Itās not dead. Are you self pleasing often? Thatās a big reason why many men outside Trt arent aroused easily. Too much porn and etc.
Stay with 30 for 3-4 months.
If that doesnāt work and your libido does increase a little I would just switch to scrotal cream. Defy offers it through empower. Two clicks am and Pm and I bet youāll be super happy.
I had similar issues. Wellbutrin helped at some point but TRT has brought me back to life. I always had decent libido but even when I got hard it never got 100% and sometimes Iād lose it after 5 mins. TRT fixed all of that for me especially when at higher levels 185mg - 200mg. It took a while to get the full effect. One of the last things to come.