Never thought that I would be posting my first question on this topic, but that probably describes most of us on this sub-forum.
I am a mid-50 year old recently diagnosed with low T. I am very healthy (except for Crohns that is under control), eat right, drink a little and have lifted 3-4 days a week for more than 30 years.
About a year ago, I started feeling like crap - loss of energy, irritable, depressed, etc. And then within the past six months, started having mental fog, concentration issues, bad fatigue and more of the other stuff. And then within the past three months or so, add to that some ED, and worthless workouts. I would have to drag my ass to the gym at the end of the day, which was totally weird as I always considered it my "happy hour." Could barely get through my workouts. Was losing strength and muscle mass. And even though I eat very well, I started getting belly fat.
The logical answer was that my Crohn's was flaring, but that was not it. So had general blood work done - thyroid, sugars, etc. All were normal except for Vit D which was way low. Started on high doses to deal with that, without any symptomatic improvement. I also have osteopenia - probably from Predisone use associated with Crohns. But I have not taken that poison in years. And bone density still low.
So I had doc do a T test. Kaching. Total was 310ng and Free was 49ng. Test repeated two weeks later showed 306ng and 50ng. Got referred to urologist. He came in the room and asked my symptoms and I told him. He said those are perfectly consistent with low T and he had no problem initiating therapy. Frankly, I was thrilled.
Doc suggested Testopel saying that it was long lasting (4 months) and has a nice level release curve. He was going to hit up my insurance for that. But in the meantime he gave me my first shot two days ago - 200mg cypionate, to be repeated in two weeks. I asked how long before I would feel its effects and he said could take two injection cycles.
But later that day I began to feel so much better. Like the buzz from a good cup of coffee but without the jitters. And at the gym that afternoon, I had so much more energy. Yesterday was even better. Calmer, more focused, more centered and just a general sense of well-being. And the gym was magic. Did my usual back/biceps routine. I had probably 20% more strength and virtually no fatigue. Muscle failure felt different too - like it was linear rather than catastrophic - like someone was giving me a good spot and letting me squeeze out a few extra reps. And today, I actually still have a pump in my bicepts/triceps, and soreness in my traps from Thursday. I have not had soreness from my routine since I can remember.
Also seem to be getting my mojo back. As the Beatles said - "isn't it good, some morning wood." Or something like that.
So is this the cyp kicking in already? Was my bod just waiting for this biologic boost, or am I feeling just the placebo effect from the high expectations I have for it?
Doesn't much matter. It is all good. Have had the best two days I can remember in a long time.
On another topic, anyone on Testopel? vs. injections? I am not needle shy. I already inject B12 and biologic for Crohns.
Thanks for your thoughts
I am a mid-50 year old recently diagnosed with low T. I am very healthy (except for Crohns that is under control), eat right, drink a little and have lifted 3-4 days a week for more than 30 years.
About a year ago, I started feeling like crap - loss of energy, irritable, depressed, etc. And then within the past six months, started having mental fog, concentration issues, bad fatigue and more of the other stuff. And then within the past three months or so, add to that some ED, and worthless workouts. I would have to drag my ass to the gym at the end of the day, which was totally weird as I always considered it my "happy hour." Could barely get through my workouts. Was losing strength and muscle mass. And even though I eat very well, I started getting belly fat.
The logical answer was that my Crohn's was flaring, but that was not it. So had general blood work done - thyroid, sugars, etc. All were normal except for Vit D which was way low. Started on high doses to deal with that, without any symptomatic improvement. I also have osteopenia - probably from Predisone use associated with Crohns. But I have not taken that poison in years. And bone density still low.
So I had doc do a T test. Kaching. Total was 310ng and Free was 49ng. Test repeated two weeks later showed 306ng and 50ng. Got referred to urologist. He came in the room and asked my symptoms and I told him. He said those are perfectly consistent with low T and he had no problem initiating therapy. Frankly, I was thrilled.
Doc suggested Testopel saying that it was long lasting (4 months) and has a nice level release curve. He was going to hit up my insurance for that. But in the meantime he gave me my first shot two days ago - 200mg cypionate, to be repeated in two weeks. I asked how long before I would feel its effects and he said could take two injection cycles.
But later that day I began to feel so much better. Like the buzz from a good cup of coffee but without the jitters. And at the gym that afternoon, I had so much more energy. Yesterday was even better. Calmer, more focused, more centered and just a general sense of well-being. And the gym was magic. Did my usual back/biceps routine. I had probably 20% more strength and virtually no fatigue. Muscle failure felt different too - like it was linear rather than catastrophic - like someone was giving me a good spot and letting me squeeze out a few extra reps. And today, I actually still have a pump in my bicepts/triceps, and soreness in my traps from Thursday. I have not had soreness from my routine since I can remember.
Also seem to be getting my mojo back. As the Beatles said - "isn't it good, some morning wood." Or something like that.
So is this the cyp kicking in already? Was my bod just waiting for this biologic boost, or am I feeling just the placebo effect from the high expectations I have for it?
Doesn't much matter. It is all good. Have had the best two days I can remember in a long time.
On another topic, anyone on Testopel? vs. injections? I am not needle shy. I already inject B12 and biologic for Crohns.
Thanks for your thoughts
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