Lab results are in and will be meeting soon w/ Dr. - advice on how to proceed?

[gfox9]

Hello,

Backstory: I'm a male in my early 30's and have been experiencing low T symptoms for quite some time: low libido, ED, general fatigue, etc. It's gotten to the point where even the idea of sex is totally unappealing -- I hate feeling like this. I've been reading up online about the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and have been interested in it for quite some time. I even tried some of those natural T-boosters and have concluded that they are nothing more than a waste of money. I'm in great shape and lift 3 times a week, follow a strict diet, and sleep 8 hours per night. Yet, still I have all of these symptoms.

I had asked my Dr. in a previous visit if low T might be the culprit. He said that I was too young for it to be a problem (but I knew better). Fast forward to a recent visit about the same symptoms and we agreed it might be worth to have some lab work done. Well the results are back in and I received a notice that he'd like to meet with me to discuss options. Here were the results (yes, this is all that was provided).

Free test: 10 (reference 5-40)
Total test: 275 (reference 330-900)

My question is, I have the feeling he will put me on the "safest" route possible to start; patches, gel. However, after reading these forums it appears that these treatments aren't as effective and could potentially even leave me in worse shape than right now. I'm willing to try whatever but obviously I'd like to start initially with injections.

I'm just looking to have some information or arguments after he presents the options to me. How do I say I'd like to start with injections without sounding drug seeking? I understand that this is pre-mature because we haven't even had the conversation yet the better informed I am the better off I'll be. Just looking for some feedback if anybody else had been in a similar situation prior to meeting with their Dr. Thanks!

 

[Megatron28]

Sorry to hear that. The good news is it is very treatable and you can feel like a new man if you end up needing TRT.

First things first though. You need to run more labs. Finding out you have Low T is just the start. You need to determine now if you have Primary or Secondary Hypogonadism. If you have secondary, you might be able to try a restart (aka PCT). The labs you need are:

Total Testosterone (to confirm low T result)
LH
FSH
Prolactin

I would also get a full thyroid panel run and vitamin D.

If you have never had a sleep study done I would encourage you to do that too right away. Poor sleep can really affect your testosterone levels dramatically. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep too.

Clean up your diet and limit alcohol/drugs.

------------------------------------------------------------

If you do need testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and don't think a restart is worth a try, definitely ask for self-injections of test cyp. Three best reasons for injections are:

1) No risk of transfer to your wife and kids. This is VERY IMPORTANT. Tell your doc you will not take this risk.
2) Much cheaper than gels, etc.
3) More effective and more predictable/steady levels.

Like I said, if you do end up having to go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) it is a life saver. We have all been where you are. Being too tired to want sex is no way to live life.

Good luck and keep us posted. We're here to help where we can.

 

[gfox9]

Thank you Megatron. After reading through these forums it's clear you have a good understanding of this.

I'm sure the panel I had done will reveal more information but those two results were all I had received in the mail. The risk of transfer is a major concern and I will definitely bring this up to him. The idea of applying gel each morning does not sound appealing. Given his reluctance to even have blood work done in the past has me thinking he'll start me on a patch or the lowest dose gel possible to start and we'll end up spinning our wheels for a few months. I will try and be adamant on the cost and transference issues. Thanks again.

 

[Megatron28]

Don't try and be adamant. Be adamant.

 

[Alpin]

Make sure the Endo you go to is compassionate...
Some Endo's don't understand that it's not just sex that T controls. A lot of these guys haven't felt Low T themselves so keep that in mind.
Any guy who has felt low T... is the guy that will understand you best.
Sounds ridiculous but it's true.
T.T. levels here at 275 ng/dl is kind of borderline for getting any attention from mainstream endos...
You need to be below 219 ng/dl here for LOW T.

 

[Megatron28]

Make sure the Endo you go to is compassionate...
Some Endo's don't understand that it's not just sex that T controls. A lot of these guys haven't felt Low T themselves so keep that in mind.
Any guy who has felt low T... is the guy that will understand you best.
Sounds ridiculous but it's true.
T.T. levels here at 275 ng/dl is kind of borderline for getting any attention from mainstream endos...
You need to be below 219 ng/dl here for LOW T.

You can't truly appreciate oxygen until you have experienced drowning.

 

[thefantom1]

If the endo doesn't work out, look for a holistic doctor. Before you make an appointment, call and ask if he/she is familiar with low test and if they treat with test replacement and typically what method. See if they are part of the American Academy of Anti-Aging. In fact, go here and put in your area to give you an idea of what doctors are involved in A4m (as is it called) Directory Let us know how it works out.

 

[gfox9]

So, I always appreciate it when people circle back around post on their older topics. Here we go..

The initial consult with my GP was successful in the fact that he was open to TRT. He laid out the different options : gel/shots/patches. "We" decided to go the gel route initially but I knew I had a follow up a few weeks later and could make a pitch for switching to shots then. For the record, Androgel is ridiculously overpriced at $440 for a 15 day treatment with such negligible results. I've been on it for over 3 weeks now and other than the first initial rush after the first few days I feel like my T has gone back to normal and has reverted to what I was (or worse) before. Fast forward to today, he's now on board with self-injections after a few more ones in the clinic, the place where they'll instruct me on how to correctly do it. After which, I'll be able to switch over to the self-injection route a few weeks from now. Progress!

The only bummer is that the next three appointments -- which are 3 weeks apart -- are going to tank my T and will be in a trough for days before the next injection 3 weeks out. It's going to be a touch 2 months on this but will be worth it when I can finally administrator it myself.

He used 150ml of Test c, you know how long that stays in the system? Trying to mix the benefits until I can fully home inject.

Excited to start this journey when I have full control of the frequency of injections.
"

 

[Megatron28]

So, I always appreciate it when people circle back around post on their older topics. Here we go..

The initial consult with my GP was successful in the fact that he was open to TRT. He laid out the different options : gel/shots/patches. "We" decided to go the gel route initially but I knew I had a follow up a few weeks later and could make a pitch for switching to shots then. For the record, Androgel is ridiculously overpriced at $440 for a 15 day treatment with such negligible results. I've been on it for over 3 weeks now and other than the first initial rush after the first few days I feel like my T has gone back to normal and has reverted to what I was (or worse) before. Fast forward to today, he's now on board with self-injections after a few more ones in the clinic, the place where they'll instruct me on how to correctly do it. After which, I'll be able to switch over to the self-injection route a few weeks from now. Progress!

The only bummer is that the next three appointments -- which are 3 weeks apart -- are going to tank my T and will be in a trough for days before the next injection 3 weeks out. It's going to be a touch 2 months on this but will be worth it when I can finally administrator it myself.

He used 150ml of Test c, you know how long that stays in the system? Trying to mix the benefits until I can fully home inject.

Excited to start this journey when I have full control of the frequency of injections.
"

Uggh.. Sounds like you have a horriblly retarded doctor. Injecting once every three weeks is retarded. Are you on Test Cyp?

Do you have any gel left over that you can use in days 7-21 after each injection?

 

[gfox9]

Uggh.. Sounds like you have a horriblly retarded doctor. Injecting once every three weeks is retarded. Are you on Test Cyp?

Do you have any gel left over that you can use in days 7-21 after each injection?

I know... the 3 week delay between shots is going to be rough. I do have an adequate amount of gel left over to tide me over in between shots, thankfully. I'm not sure what exactly they injected me with but the syringe read 1.5 before the injection... I'm not exactly sure how much that is.

I also read that applying a layer of Phlogel after application helps with absorption rates so I decided to order some. Don't really have a choice at this point but I'm just happy after a few months I'll have this all dialed in.

 

[Megatron28]

I know... the 3 week delay between shots is going to be rough. I do have an adequate amount of gel left over to tide me over in between shots, thankfully. I'm not sure what exactly they injected me with but the syringe read 1.5 before the injection... I'm not exactly sure how much that is.

I also read that applying a layer of Phlogel after application helps with absorption rates so I decided to order some. Don't really have a choice at this point but I'm just happy after a few months I'll have this all dialed in.

On second thought, maybe you should not use the gel. It will increase your TT and you won't accurate results when you run your labs. Has your doc told you when the next set of labs will be run?

Just DEMAND the you can do self-injections immediately. Does he make diabetics come in for injections?

Don't take this the wrong way please. Just constructive criticism. You need to take a more involved role in your treatment. Clearly your doc doesn't know what he/she is doing. You have to inject Test C (I went back in the post and you said this is what you are taking) at least once a week. Twice week is preferred. The half life of Test Cyp is about 5 to 8 days. And injecting that much once every three weeks is really going to cause you estradiol problems via aromatization. I really encourage you to spend a few days reading everything you possibly can in this TRT forum and then start asking lots of questions.