I'm 45, and have been interesting in "age management"/hormone optimization for a while. I've done everything I can from a diet and exercise perspective -- working out regularly, eating well, supplementing with high quality vitamins. I've also tried herbal test booster, maca powder, DAA, etc.
So, I recently went to a doctor to find out what my levels are and whether I should consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). My first set of blood work found my total test at 638 and my free test at 136. My doctor told me my numbers were pretty average for a man my age, but not optimal -- she said most men feel better and function better in the 800 - 900 range, with free test above 180. So, to try to boost it up she first tried me on a month of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) injections 3 times per week, and then tested again. My levels were basically unchanged. She's now recommending Testosterone Cyp IM injections once a week.
I'm still very interested in hormone optimization. I've noticed that even though I'm very disciplined about my workouts, I'm able to lift less than I was a few years ago. I'm also very active athletically, but I notice that I'm much slower to recover from injuries, and have more nagging injuries that I can't seem to get rid of. So, if boosting my T (and GH) would help with this, I'm interested. But first I have some questions and would like some advice. Here's what I'm wondering about:
• Have I done Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for long enough (4 weeks/3 times per week) to know for sure that it's not going to work for me?
• If I begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will I shut down my own ability to produce T (which, at this point, I seem to still be doing quite well, just not quite to optimal levels)?
• If I stop testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will I be able to go back to producing my own T?
• Should I consider the T cream instead of injections...I've heard that because the cream is used every day, it better mimics our natural T cycles, and also is less likely to shut down the testicles.
And finally, I'm just curious to hear what some knowledgable people feel about doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) when one's levels are already in the mid 600s. Most of what I read is about guys who down in the 300s or lower -- and if that were the case, I think it would be a much easier decision for me. I am crazy to even be thinking about this?
Thanks for any reactions. I'm new here, but have done quite a bit of reading and thinking about this for a while.
So, I recently went to a doctor to find out what my levels are and whether I should consider testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). My first set of blood work found my total test at 638 and my free test at 136. My doctor told me my numbers were pretty average for a man my age, but not optimal -- she said most men feel better and function better in the 800 - 900 range, with free test above 180. So, to try to boost it up she first tried me on a month of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) injections 3 times per week, and then tested again. My levels were basically unchanged. She's now recommending Testosterone Cyp IM injections once a week.
I'm still very interested in hormone optimization. I've noticed that even though I'm very disciplined about my workouts, I'm able to lift less than I was a few years ago. I'm also very active athletically, but I notice that I'm much slower to recover from injuries, and have more nagging injuries that I can't seem to get rid of. So, if boosting my T (and GH) would help with this, I'm interested. But first I have some questions and would like some advice. Here's what I'm wondering about:
• Have I done Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for long enough (4 weeks/3 times per week) to know for sure that it's not going to work for me?
• If I begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will I shut down my own ability to produce T (which, at this point, I seem to still be doing quite well, just not quite to optimal levels)?
• If I stop testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will I be able to go back to producing my own T?
• Should I consider the T cream instead of injections...I've heard that because the cream is used every day, it better mimics our natural T cycles, and also is less likely to shut down the testicles.
And finally, I'm just curious to hear what some knowledgable people feel about doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) when one's levels are already in the mid 600s. Most of what I read is about guys who down in the 300s or lower -- and if that were the case, I think it would be a much easier decision for me. I am crazy to even be thinking about this?
Thanks for any reactions. I'm new here, but have done quite a bit of reading and thinking about this for a while.