I was diagnosed with low testosterone at age 25. I had three tests over several months and all were either low or at the very bottom of the range. My primary care physician sent me to a eurologist. The eurologist sent me home with a prescription for Viagra and wouldn't even consider replacement therapy.
Ten years later, struggling with anxiety and depression, having lost interest in the activities I used to enjoy, I consulted my primary care physician again. I was tested for low testosterone and again I was right around 300. My PCP confided in me that the eurologist he had sent me to ten years earlier was an older gentleman who was somewhat old fashioned. He said that if I didn't object he could start me on replacement therapy himself or refer me to an endocrinologist. I didn't want to wait, so I said give me a prescription TODAY!
He started me on one tube of Testim per day. It worked great, the best I'd felt in years, for about two weeks, but then things returned to normal if not worse. A month later, when he checked my levels again, I was at 214, lower than before. He jacked me up to two tubes per day.
I learned from reading on the internet to use a plastic baggy to apply it so that it doesn't get all over your hands and later get washed down the sink. I learned to use needle nose pliars to squeeze every last drop out of the tubes. I learned to wear stretchy, silky athletic shirts instead of cotton ones to avoid sticking to my clothes.
Now a year later my levels are consistently around 800. I feel great. I have improved greatly in the gym, and I'm far more cut at 36 years old than I've ever been. I'm about 5'10, 190. I can bench 225 13 times without a spotter. I think I could get at least one more, but I like working out at home by myself and don't want to risk it.
I'm not married, and I don't have any kids, so accidentally exposing others to the gel isn't an issue for me. I also find that women love the way it smells. They always comment on my cologne. I sware to God there are girls who come down to my office each day to smell me. Personally I can't smell anything but a slight alcohol scent, but women are attracted to it.
Here is a weird side effect though. I mainly apply the gel to my upper arms and shoulders as directed. When I get mad, the area that I lather with Testim gets hot and turns bright red. It has happened three or four times in the last few months.
If I ever enter into a serious relationship (I'm having too much fun for now) or have a child, I'll almost certainly switch to injections, but I'm very satisfied with Testim for now. Two tubes a day only set me back 20 bucks a month with my insurance, but I've yet to pay a cent for it because Testim covers your first twelve copays, and I just picked up my twelfth prescription a few days ago, meaning I'll start paying 20 dollars next month.
I just wanted to share my experience. Forums like this have been a godsend for me. When I go to my PCP, I honestly feel like I'm more up-to-date about replacement therapy than he is. For example, I have a friend who screwed himself up doing roids in high school (I have never even seen let alone taken steroids). His doctor prescribed two injections of Cyp per month, but it wasn't helping. I learned on here that two shots per week was ideal. He told his doc he was going to get a second opinion unless he changed his prescription. Now his wife, an RN, gives him a shot every four days, and he's doing great. She's really happy too if you know what I mean.
Thanks for the insight. Keep it coming.
Ten years later, struggling with anxiety and depression, having lost interest in the activities I used to enjoy, I consulted my primary care physician again. I was tested for low testosterone and again I was right around 300. My PCP confided in me that the eurologist he had sent me to ten years earlier was an older gentleman who was somewhat old fashioned. He said that if I didn't object he could start me on replacement therapy himself or refer me to an endocrinologist. I didn't want to wait, so I said give me a prescription TODAY!
He started me on one tube of Testim per day. It worked great, the best I'd felt in years, for about two weeks, but then things returned to normal if not worse. A month later, when he checked my levels again, I was at 214, lower than before. He jacked me up to two tubes per day.
I learned from reading on the internet to use a plastic baggy to apply it so that it doesn't get all over your hands and later get washed down the sink. I learned to use needle nose pliars to squeeze every last drop out of the tubes. I learned to wear stretchy, silky athletic shirts instead of cotton ones to avoid sticking to my clothes.
Now a year later my levels are consistently around 800. I feel great. I have improved greatly in the gym, and I'm far more cut at 36 years old than I've ever been. I'm about 5'10, 190. I can bench 225 13 times without a spotter. I think I could get at least one more, but I like working out at home by myself and don't want to risk it.
I'm not married, and I don't have any kids, so accidentally exposing others to the gel isn't an issue for me. I also find that women love the way it smells. They always comment on my cologne. I sware to God there are girls who come down to my office each day to smell me. Personally I can't smell anything but a slight alcohol scent, but women are attracted to it.
Here is a weird side effect though. I mainly apply the gel to my upper arms and shoulders as directed. When I get mad, the area that I lather with Testim gets hot and turns bright red. It has happened three or four times in the last few months.
If I ever enter into a serious relationship (I'm having too much fun for now) or have a child, I'll almost certainly switch to injections, but I'm very satisfied with Testim for now. Two tubes a day only set me back 20 bucks a month with my insurance, but I've yet to pay a cent for it because Testim covers your first twelve copays, and I just picked up my twelfth prescription a few days ago, meaning I'll start paying 20 dollars next month.
I just wanted to share my experience. Forums like this have been a godsend for me. When I go to my PCP, I honestly feel like I'm more up-to-date about replacement therapy than he is. For example, I have a friend who screwed himself up doing roids in high school (I have never even seen let alone taken steroids). His doctor prescribed two injections of Cyp per month, but it wasn't helping. I learned on here that two shots per week was ideal. He told his doc he was going to get a second opinion unless he changed his prescription. Now his wife, an RN, gives him a shot every four days, and he's doing great. She's really happy too if you know what I mean.
Thanks for the insight. Keep it coming.
