My TRT story... looking for advice.
I have been a lurker here for a bit, and have decided to get advice for my situation. I am 36, and am on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I had brain surgery to remove a tumor on my hypothalamus in January of 2012. Unfortunately, because of the complexity of the tumor, only a tiny piece was removed. Fortunately, it is benign. Anyway, because of my surgery, my body stopped producing testosterone. After the surgery, labs showed my T levels were 10 ng/dl. Yeah, basically nothing. So, I was put on Testim, which mercifully my insurance wouldn't cover, so I was switched to Androgel 1.62%, 2 pumps per day. The next labs showed my T level had increased all the way to 90! So my doseage was increased to 4 pumps per day. 6 weeks later, my levels were at 220. So my dosage was increased to 6 pumps per day. 4 weeks later, my levels were at 180. My endocrinologist was baffled, and suggested injections, which I gladly accepted. So, for the past half year, I have been injecting 175 mg of T cyp. Every 2 weeks. My first labs after starting injections showed a T level of 438. Finally, improvement.
Now, my concern. Ever since starting T replacement, my weight has increased 25 pounds, and a lot has been belly fat. I am active, and haven't been able to lose the weight. I was riding my bike 30+ miles a week, and lifting 3 times a week and couldn't lose anything. I have been able to lately, exercise routine is a bit different, but my daily calorie intake is averaging 1700. My diet is extremely clean. Also, I don't seem to notice additional muscle mass. And my sex drive is lacking.
My stats: 210 pounds, 71 inches.
Here is a bit of additional lab info (unfortunately not all completed at the same time).
March 2013
Serum T - 438 (280-1100)
September 2012
Free T - 43.7 (47-244)
Prolactin - 19.4 (3.5-19.4)
July 2012
Testosterone - 188 (280-1100)
Cortisol - 11.6 (5-23)
SHGB - 18 (13-71)
Testosterone % Free - 2.2 (1.6-2.9)
Testosterone, bioavailable - 122.8 (131-682)
I will have more lab work done on Friday, and meet with my endocrinologist next Friday. I am going to ask him about having my estradiol checked, but I suspect he will not go for it.
Any advice, interpretations, speculations, etc, would be appreciated. Thanks for reading this novel!
I have been a lurker here for a bit, and have decided to get advice for my situation. I am 36, and am on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I had brain surgery to remove a tumor on my hypothalamus in January of 2012. Unfortunately, because of the complexity of the tumor, only a tiny piece was removed. Fortunately, it is benign. Anyway, because of my surgery, my body stopped producing testosterone. After the surgery, labs showed my T levels were 10 ng/dl. Yeah, basically nothing. So, I was put on Testim, which mercifully my insurance wouldn't cover, so I was switched to Androgel 1.62%, 2 pumps per day. The next labs showed my T level had increased all the way to 90! So my doseage was increased to 4 pumps per day. 6 weeks later, my levels were at 220. So my dosage was increased to 6 pumps per day. 4 weeks later, my levels were at 180. My endocrinologist was baffled, and suggested injections, which I gladly accepted. So, for the past half year, I have been injecting 175 mg of T cyp. Every 2 weeks. My first labs after starting injections showed a T level of 438. Finally, improvement.
Now, my concern. Ever since starting T replacement, my weight has increased 25 pounds, and a lot has been belly fat. I am active, and haven't been able to lose the weight. I was riding my bike 30+ miles a week, and lifting 3 times a week and couldn't lose anything. I have been able to lately, exercise routine is a bit different, but my daily calorie intake is averaging 1700. My diet is extremely clean. Also, I don't seem to notice additional muscle mass. And my sex drive is lacking.
My stats: 210 pounds, 71 inches.
Here is a bit of additional lab info (unfortunately not all completed at the same time).
March 2013
Serum T - 438 (280-1100)
September 2012
Free T - 43.7 (47-244)
Prolactin - 19.4 (3.5-19.4)
July 2012
Testosterone - 188 (280-1100)
Cortisol - 11.6 (5-23)
SHGB - 18 (13-71)
Testosterone % Free - 2.2 (1.6-2.9)
Testosterone, bioavailable - 122.8 (131-682)
I will have more lab work done on Friday, and meet with my endocrinologist next Friday. I am going to ask him about having my estradiol checked, but I suspect he will not go for it.
Any advice, interpretations, speculations, etc, would be appreciated. Thanks for reading this novel!
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