New poster , testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) questions

[Cen1]

New poster , TRT questions

Hey all, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) questions. Have had low T for 5 years. (249), initially. I'm a health care provider so I can order my own tests and meds. I tried a bunch of creams and injections and always had good results with libido which was the major symptom usually. Started on some testim 3 months ago , T was 260, free was in the 50's, started with 1 tube and after 2 weeks went to 2 tubes daily, with diet and exercise I'm down 30 lbs and 36" waist to "29. Had labs last week and Total T was 1050 with free T was 288( wow), estradiol was 33, great libido and look great with very little resistance training. But now erectile dysfunction is creaping in lately. I'm 45, saw urologist and endocrine and have had all normal testing (prolactin) etc. could test be too high? How about E2? Any input appreciated. I get really good erections when we start sex and then it just loses hardness, Viagra helps sometimes. Thanks

 

[Megatron28]

High prolactin can cause those symptoms. But gels don't usually raise prolactin as far as I know. Are you taking anything else?

Are you taking an AI? I know your E2 was only 33, but that was a point in time. E2 can cause the ED problems you are describing too. And gels are notorious for aromatizing. If I had to guess, your ED is estradiol related. Do you feel bloated, moody, or tired?

Most guys have better luck with test injections. Less aromatization. More uniform absorption. No risk of transfer to the women and kids in your life.

Can you post your lab results?

 

[IMT staff]

You can order your own meds? I don't think so, unless another physician is going to write you the script. We have many physicians that use us for this reason, it is illegal to prescribe yourself medication.

I agree with megatron, it is most likely the elevated prolactin.

 

[SolomonGrundy]

id retest E2, you're test levels are pretty high for 2 tubes of Testim, i was a 600 but that stuff makes you so horney, converts well to DHT

 

[Cen1]

id retest E2, you're test levels are pretty high for 2 tubes of Testim, i was a 600 but that stuff makes you so horney, converts well to DHT

Yea that's what I thought so I cut down to a tube and a half per day. My urologist like testim or any gel due to the steady levels (?). Your right moderator, I don't order my meds per say, but I call them and they send the order to my colleagues. One of them signs off on it. As far as the prolactin, I had a normal level in mid June while on the testim. Is that level going to change much during use? Thanks guys

 

[Megatron28]

Post your lab results with reference ranges for us to see.

 

[Cen1]

Post your lab results with reference ranges for us to see.

Will do, I'll get them tomorrow

 

[Cen1]

OK here we go. 2 tube of Testim daily

8/24
T test 1069 250-1100 (done by LC/MS)
Free test 288.6 35-155
estradiol 33 <39

H&H 15.3 and 46.1
TSH .8 .3-3.5

6/11
Sex binding GLobulin 30 10-50
IGF-1 219 52-328
ACTH 17 6-50
cortisol 13.6 3-22
PSA .7 0-4
T Test 273
Free test 53.5
prolactin 5.7 2-18

2/8/13

prolactin 3.4
FSH 4.3 1.6-8.0
LH 2.7 1.5-9.3
TSH .7
Free T4 1.2 .8-1.8

 

[Megatron28]

I would recheck your prolactin now that you have higher T levels. That might be your issue. Did you ever have ED issues in the past?

 

[Cen1]

Actually yes while on test cyp. Ok will check

 

[Megatron28]

Actually yes while on test cyp. Ok will check

How about without taking exogenous test? Did you have ED problems then? Or was your libido to low to even want to bother with sex before TRT?

 

[Cen1]

How about without taking exogenous test? Did you have ED problems then? Or was your libido to low to even want to bother with sex before TRT?

Megatron, that's exactly it, your good. Without test, no libido, but also no ED at all. With test, super duper libido, like a 16 year old kid. Super muscle mass, 30 lb weight loss, 36" to 30" waist, BUT the moderate ED came with it. Your exactly right, EQ quality on test is a little better when I don't have ED. I can always get a super hard on now but it doesn't last long enough to give my wife a vag orgasm or I can go down on her and after she has an orgasm, I've lost my erection. ???

 

[Megatron28]

I never had ED problems -- even when my TT was <200. Just didn't have the energy to want sex. But on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) I have had the same symptoms you have when my E2 got elevated.

Which E2 assay did you have done? The regular or sensitive one?

Some guys like having their E2 closer to 20. You could try lowering your E2 to see if that makes a difference.

And obviously high prolactin can cause these symptoms too. So good thing you are getting that retested.

Even though I don't have ED, I have started taking 10mg of cialis every day. It is good for your general health -- read a post by Austinite on cialis. And my wife says I am just a little bit stiffer which she enjoys. Have you tried taking daily cialis? You should still try to be to the bottom of your ED, but cialis might help you in the meantime. And it is good for you regardless of ED.

 

[Cen1]

I never had ED problems -- even when my TT was <200. Just didn't have the energy to want sex. But on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) I have had the same symptoms you have when my E2 got elevated.

Which E2 assay did you have done? The regular or sensitive one?

Some guys like having their E2 closer to 20. You could try lowering your E2 to see if that makes a difference.

And obviously high prolactin can cause these symptoms too. So good thing you are getting that retested.

Even though I don't have ED, I have started taking 10mg of cialis every day. It is good for your general health -- read a post by Austinite on cialis. And my wife says I am just a little bit stiffer which she enjoys. Have you tried taking daily cialis? You should still try to be to the bottom of your ED, but cialis might help you in the meantime. And it is good for you regardless of ED.

So could I cut down my E2 by cutting my testim dose? Like from 2 tubes daily to 1 1/2? My T is already through the roof as you can see

 

[Cen1]

What about reducing my dose of testim to 1 1/2 tubes daily? Would that reduce the E2 some? My test is so high on 2 tubes that I'm sure I could give up the half tube?