32 y/o and Dr just prescribed Androgel 1.62

[Brunodk]

Hi guys. I'm new here but I've been trying to learn as much as possible about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) by reading thru this forum, among others.

I'm 32 and for the past 1-2 years had been experiencing a noticeable decrease in sex drive, loss of energy, poor sleep, harder time losing weight and gaining muscle, mild depression and lacked motivation. I finally told my dr since I wondered if it may be low t. She ordered blood work and called me this Monday to report I have low t (I don't have my actual numbers but will request them on Monday). She wrote a prescription for Androgel 1.62 but didn't give me any other info.

After reading more and more, I now have major concerns. Not discussing future plans for fertility (I'm done with 2 kids but she didn't know that), not telling me if I had primary or secondary hypogonadism, not trying a restart before testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), not discussing estrogen levels, etc all have me concerned she has no experience with this.

I'm eager to address my low t and hopefully enjoy both the mental and physical benefits ASAP but want to make sure I handle it with an effective protocol. Now insurance is requiring a second blood test before approving the Androgel. I'd be devastated if I came back at a low but "acceptable" range according to the insurance company.

So I guess I have 2 questions:

1 - should I demand to see an endo instead of my GP dr (I also contacted IMT but haven't heard back yet)?
2 - can I do anything to prevent my next blood test from coming back at the low end of normal? I had read no sleep, strenuous long cardio and no fat diet help.

Thanks for any help. This has been a lot to think about this week but I'm hoping that addressing the issue will make a big difference in my overall well being.

 

[Brunodk]

Just wanted to add that I have 2 young daughters (23 months and 4 months) and that my wife nurses the baby. From everything I've read Androgel seems like a bad idea because of transfer risk. Any imput would be appreciated. I'm really fearful my GP doc has no clue about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and I don't want to hurt myself or my family.

 

[Megatron28]

Gels do not work well. You do not want it. But more important is the risk of transfer to your wife and you children. Tell you doc you won't use it because of that risk. It would be irresponsible of her to prescribe it knowing that. Besides, androgrl cost a lot more than injections too.

You will need a lab confirmation. That's normal.

Get your full lab results and post them. We can help you interpret them. Need to know hownlow your T is and see if you are primary or secondary before doing anything else.

I would give your doc a chance. The fact that she is willing to put you on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a good sign. Just discuss injections and things like estradiol/AI to see how well she knows her stuff. Also discuss desired levels and dose.

Good luck!

 

[Megatron28]

Also, it was smart to call IMT. They know their stuff. I'm sure they will get back to you soon.

 

[Brunodk]

Thanks Megatron. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'll post my labs as soon as I have a copy tomorrow and hopefully that will give a clearer picture. I guess you're right that it is at least a good sign that she was willing to offer testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) at all. I'm planning on setting a follow up appt after my next round of labs and before starting any actual treatment.

Thanks again. This has been a lot to take in within a very short period of time.

 

[Brunodk]

I got my labs today.

Total T: 56 ng/dl
Free: 1.8 pg/ml

That seems absurdly low for a 32 y/o. No other labs were ordered except for liver function which was a follow up from a bout of mono earlier in the year.

I have another T test scheduled for Wednesday.

Without knowing any other info, would such low levels offer any hope for a restart?

 

[halfwit]

I got my labs today.

Total T: 56 ng/dl
Free: 1.8 pg/ml

That seems absurdly low for a 32 y/o. No other labs were ordered except for liver function which was a follow up from a bout of mono earlier in the year.

I have another T test scheduled for Wednesday.

Without knowing any other info, would such low levels offer any hope for a restart?

HOLY COW! 56ng/dL??! I bet you feel like utter crap my man! What were your LH/FSH values?

Damn, you're about to have your world turned right around. I know there was a difference of night and day for me; and I had 120ng/dL total test values.

 

[Brunodk]

They didn't order LH and FSH. And you're right, it's been a long time of just not feeling right. Haven't felt like myself in a long time. I hope that once I get dialed in that I have a similar positive outcome like you. It's nice to at least know there's a reason for the way I've been feeling.

 

[halfwit]

They didn't order LH and FSH. And you're right, it's been a long time of just not feeling right. Haven't felt like myself in a long time.

Ahh, it's probably too late now if you've started treatment as those hormones are going to be suppressed by exogenous (not from your body) testosterone. That's a key way to know if you're primary hypogonadal or secondary. Primary being the type that recovery is very difficult as it is usually an issue with your testes.

I am very excited for you! You're going to quickly realize just how poor your quality of life has been all this time. I lived with low T for almost a decade and while I knew something was very wrong, I had NO idea how bad it was until I got on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). It's definitely a game changer.

 

[Spunkey71]

Good luck to you, I had a totoal test level of 64 and I noticed improvments within the first couple of weeks and now that I have been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for three months is is truly night and day, I will never gom back!

 

[Brunodk]

I haven't started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) yet so maybe I should tell my dr I want LH and FSH tested? My insurance slowed things down by demanding a second test before authorizing treatment. Frustrating that they control the pace of my treatment but I guess that's the way it goes.

I'm excited to hear your guys enthusiasm for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and I'm starting to allow myself to get excited about feeling better soon!

 

[halfwit]

I haven't started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) yet so maybe I should tell my dr I want LH and FSH tested? My insurance slowed things down by demanding a second test before authorizing treatment. Frustrating that they control the pace of my treatment but I guess that's the way it goes.

I'm excited to hear your guys enthusiasm for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and I'm starting to allow myself to get excited about feeling better soon!

Oh man, if you haven't started yet, I'd definitely get an LH/FSH/TSH/T3/rT3/T4/rT4/lipids/estradiol (sensitive)/prolactin/liver values added then. That should help paint a pretty good picture on what's going on. Yes, you will definitely enjoy life as it's meant to be enjoyed! Your wife will be happier too.

 

[Spunkey71]

I haven't started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) yet so maybe I should tell my dr I want LH and FSH tested? My insurance slowed things down by demanding a second test before authorizing treatment. Frustrating that they control the pace of my treatment but I guess that's the way it goes.

I'm excited to hear your guys enthusiasm for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and I'm starting to allow myself to get excited about feeling better soon!

TRT has been made such a big difference in my life that I have told every one of my male friends about it and suggest that they get their levels checked. I spend the weekend in Austin visiting my parents and the whole time I was there I was trying to convince my mom to make my dad get his levels checked.

I guess it is like anything else, Ijust can't put it into words the amazing and positive changes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has had on my quality of life and the way I see it, if I have to grow old I want to feel as good as I can while I do!

 

[Brunodk]

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it! I'll try to have my dr add those to my bloodwork for Wednesday.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it! I'll try to have my dr add those to my bloodworm for Wednesday.

Don't just try. If she hasn't teed them up already you need to demand them. You only get one shot to see where your labs come in at before starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This will indicate what type of hypogonadism you have and whether or not something can be done other than testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the greatest thing in the world if you need it, but we would all rather have our natural test production restored to healthy levels.

Like Halfwit said, if you do end up on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or figure out how to fix your natty T, you are going to start feeling like Superman. Tell your wife that a tsunami is coming her way in a few weeks.

 

[Alpin]

TRT has been made such a big difference in my life that I have told every one of my male friends about it and suggest that they get their levels checked. I spend the weekend in Austin visiting my parents and the whole time I was there I was trying to convince my mom to make my dad get his levels checked.

I guess it is like anything else, Ijust can't put it into words the amazing and positive changes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has had on my quality of life and the way I see it, if I have to grow old I want to feel as good as I can while I do!

I hear you bro...
And I'm glad you feel well. But people Gossip behind backs...
From a personal standpoint...I wouldn't want the world to know I'm pinning myself...
It's just way too personal.
I'm kind of on the fence from even spouse knowing....depends what type of person she is in my opinion.
Women in general talk too much.

 

[Brunodk]

Don't just try. If she hasn't teed them up already you need to demand them. You only get one shot to see where your labs come in at before starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This will indicate what type of hypogonadism you have and whether or not something can be done other than testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the greatest thing in the world if you need it, but we would all rather have our natural test production restored to healthy levels.

Like Halfwit said, if you do end up on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or figure out how to fix your natty T, you are going to start feeling like Superman. Tell your wife that a tsunami is coming her way in a few weeks.

Thanks. I called this afternoon. The dr should be calling me in the morning to discuss.

I'd really be screwed if I hadn't found this place and just started Androgel as prescribed.

 

[Brunodk]

I hear you bro...
And I'm glad you feel well. But people Gossip behind backs...
From a personal standpoint...I wouldn't want the world to know I'm pinning myself...
It's just way too personal.
I'm kind of on the fence from even spouse knowing....depends what type of person she is in my opinion.
Women in general talk too much.

I hear you. I'm trying to decide if I should be embarrassed to talk about this with anyone or not. Part of me says screw it, nothing I did led to this so why should I be embarrassed. The other part of me feels like less of a man. No way I could keep it from my wife though. Especially when testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is likely a lifelong commitment.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks. I called this afternoon. The dr should be calling me in the morning to discuss.

I'd really be screwed if I hadn't found this place and just started Androgel as prescribed.

We would all be screwed if we hadn't found this place.

 

[halfwit]

I hear you bro...
And I'm glad you feel well. But people Gossip behind backs...
From a personal standpoint...I wouldn't want the world to know I'm pinning myself...
It's just way too personal.
I'm kind of on the fence from even spouse knowing....depends what type of person she is in my opinion.
Women in general talk too much.

Why on Earth would you be embarrassed about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)? Do you think diabetics get all shy because they have to inject insulin? I freely tell folks I inject testosterone as my nuts don't work anymore. Then again, I do realize I'm a few years older than you are Apollon, so it could be that I just am at that age where I honestly don't care what others think anymore.

Trying to hide something this big from your spouse would be even sillier. Trust me, she'll know. There's a HUGE difference from, "Hmm. I guess we haven't had sex in awhile, you want to maybe get it on later tonight honey?" and "CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE BABE, DADDY'S READY FOR SOME ACTION!"