High test for long period of time

[bob1111]

I'm wondering if I should be concerned about maintaining high levels over the long run, and never dropping into the "normal range." My latest test reading was >1500 ng/dl, and my test has come back over 1200 ng/dl several times in the last 2-3 years. It's not so much that I'm trying to constantly achieve this level, it's that I respond well to my TRT.

Everything else I can think to test seems to be in check, RBC, Hematocrit, Cholesterol, TSH, PSA, E2, and no negative side effects that I can think of ATM, such as prostate issues, hair loss, etc. Is there something I might be missing, or can I just continue to maintain these levels?

 

[Packgus]

good question bob. I would like to hear what some of the experts say about this because I am doing the same as you.

 

[cdy2179]

I was on 200mg e5d and then down to 150mg Levels over 1500 and latter 1496 morning of shot. Hemocrit level got up to 55% in just two months, Rbc high too. Felt like crap. Chest and breathing were heavy. I lowered to 100mg gave blood and have been feeling much better.

Bottom line get bloodwork done. You've done that and everything is in safe range, if all that looks good, and you feel good, id say you're good to go.

 

[bob1111]

Thanks, I think I'll stick with my testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) dose, continue to check bloodwork every so often, and of course monitor how I'm feeling. For me at least, I think eating clean diet is more predictive of good lab results than my testosterone levels. For instance, when I started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), I had the same high testosterone results, and cholesterol and BP were looking a little high. Those have come down quite a bit since I cleaned up my diet.

 

[IMT staff]

For example, testosterone can increase the hematocrit, the percentage of red blood cells in the bloodstream. If the hematocrit goes up too high, we worry about the blood becoming too viscous or thick, possibly predisposing someone to stroke or clotting events. Although, frankly, in a review that I wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine* where we reviewed as much of this as we could, we found no cases of stroke or severe clotting related to testosterone therapy. Nevertheless, the risk exists, so we want to be careful about giving testosterone to men who already have a high hematocrit, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or those who have a red-blood-cell disorder.

Although its rare to see swelling caused by fluid retention, physicians need to be careful when prescribing testosterone to men with compromised kidney or liver function, or some degree of congestive heart failure. It can also increase the oiliness of the skin, so that some men get acne or pimples, but thats quite uncommon, as are sleep apnea and gynecomastia (breast enlargement).

A Harvard expert shares his thoughts on testosterone-replacement therapy - Harvard Health Publications

 

[IMT staff]

Specifically it reduces bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and increases good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). It is not clear how niacin causes its effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but it may be by reducing the production of proteins that transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3, Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin) to Cholesterol Lowering Drug Information by MedicineNet.com

 

[Illtemper]

A Harvard expert shares his thoughts on testosterone-replacement therapy - Harvard Health Publications

That was a good and very interesting read!

Glad you posted that!!

 

[IMT staff]

That was a good and very interesting read!

Glad you posted that!!

By far one of my favorites

 

[bob1111]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad that Harvard doctors are weighing in on TRT. If only there were more longitudinal studies on a younger population. I'm 24, for instance, and will be on for life due to primary hypogonadism.