Novaman's TRT Journal- The Journey has begun

6 weeks in.

Energy levels stay at around a 7. I definitely have more energy to be more engaging with my patients at work, which is great, but still can get pretty worn out after a tough day at the office, but I guess maybe that's normal.

The libido remains good. The balls still ache very slightly.

I did notice the past few days that I've been more irritable but I have no clue whether it is just a life thing or the Testosterone.
 
7 weeks.

Energy levels stay at a 7. I'm realizing that I can't expect Testosterone to be the magic bullet that will reenergize me by itself. I still need to eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep.

Libido seems to be down this week. Balls seem to be aching more.

Took my blood test this morning in preparation for my visit with the Doc next week.
 
So I went and got a blood test at 4 weeks into treatment and here are the results

Serum Testosterone 734 (348-1197 ng/dL)
LH 1.5 (1.7-8.6 mIU/mL)
FSH 3.6 (1.5-12.4 mIU/mL)
Estradiol 17.3 (7.6-42.6 pg/mL)

Hematocrit 43.5 ( 37.5-51.0 %)

So it looks like things are working out!! I guess at this point I need to be patient and let the hormonal balance in my body adjust

Interesting flags from my blood test

Alkaline Phosphatase 37 (39-117 IU/L) This was LOW
Serum Glucose 105 (65-99 mg/DL) This was HIGH I even did a fast for this test.

Any Adex or SERMS in your protocol ?
Thats a decent T level. Beautiful Estradiol & HCT levels.
 
Hey there I just started on gels 2 days ago and saw your log, nice to see that your finding improvements as you go along.

When you say your balls ache do you mean painfully or just a sensation because im finding a "sensation". It started the day after applying the gel.
 
Hey there I just started on gels 2 days ago and saw your log, nice to see that your finding improvements as you go along.

When you say your balls ache do you mean painfully or just a sensation because im finding a "sensation". It started the day after applying the gel.

they actually do ache at times- more than just a sensation

BTW- are you using a scrub to exfoliate the skin in the application area? I've been using a rough cloth to scrub my shoulder site when showering until it is red and then immediately dry off and apply. I also use needle nose pliers to squeeze all the gel out of the tube. I alternate shoulders and use a latex glove. I then let it air dry for a good 20 minutes before putting a shirt on.
 
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Any Adex or SERMS in your protocol ?
Thats a decent T level. Beautiful Estradiol & HCT levels.

Nothing else in my protocol. I think the application site prep regimen has been the key, as well as the fact that I don't have a lot of adipose tissue on my body
 
Nothing else in my protocol. I think the application site prep regimen has been the key, as well as the fact that I don't have a lot of adipose tissue on my body

I'm confused. ..
What are you on again?
Your LH and FSH are in the normal range.
 
they actually do ache at times- more than just a sensation

BTW- are you using a scrub to exfoliate the skin in the application area? I've been using a rough cloth to scrub my shoulder site when showering until it is red and then immediately dry off and apply. I also use needle nose pliers to squeeze all the gel out of the tube. I alternate shoulders and use a latex glove. I then let it air dry for a good 20 minutes before putting a shirt on.

No I dont have a painful ache, but a strange tingling ha.

No I wasnt using a scrub but I can do so. Ive beeing applying on chest with the palm of my hand, majority on my left pec, then any left over residue or wetness left on my palm I massage into the right pec and my palm is completely dry after this. I wait about 5 mins before putting on clothes.

How many mg a day of gel are you using?

I can get a glove aswell, thanks for the advice pal.
 
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No I dont have a painful ache, but a strange tingling ha.

No I wasnt using a scrub but I can do so. Ive beeing applying on chest with the palm of my hand, majority on my left pec, then any left over residue or wetness left on my palm I massage into the right pec and my palm is completely dry after this. I wait about 5 mins before putting on clothes.

How many mg a day of gel are you using?

I can get a glove aswell, thanks for the advice pal.

I apply 1 tube (5 g) of 1% Testim per day. I put it on my shoulders, alternating left and right each day.

I scrub with soap on either a rough washcloth or a loofa sponge.

Using a glove eliminates the waste from washing off your hands that are coated with the gel
 
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I'm confused. ..
What are you on again?
Your LH and FSH are in the normal range.

Only Testim, although I did take the rest of my TongKat Ali which lasted maybe 2 weeks into my TRT. think that made a difference? And if so, do you think it is worthwhile to stay on it?
 
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Went for my 2 month followup. While I don't feel like a million bucks, I also no longer feel like a zombie. The past few days have not been that great but it could be allergies.

My testosterone level was only 305 on my test from last week. What!?!? I was so disappointed. I don't understand how it could be mid 700's last month and only low 300's 3 weeks later. The only thing I can think of is that I did apply the Testim prior to the earlier bloodtest and did not apply prior to the later blood test. That and probably my natural production is shutting down

My doc wants to stay the course on the Testim since my symptoms did improve. I'm tempted to try and fight for injectables.

Any thoughts?
 
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Likely yes - your natural shut down. Estradiol is always important, but that isn't whats causing the low T reading. But it will make you feel estrogen dominant if its high with regards to T.

I would push injection at a standard dose like 60-100mg a week spread over a shot or two. Just reading your application protocol was exhausting... I can't imagine doing it daily.

-Jim
 
What's Estradiol level?

The Doc didn't test for it. If you look back a few posts you can see the results from the lab work I got on my own at the 4 week mark.

I am a bit concerned because when I initially started with the Doc I asked him if he was going to test for estradiol levels and he said-"no there is no need to at this time"..... that concerned me.

You think I should stick it out with this guy or move on to something else like IMT or Royal Man's. If so does anyone have a recommendation?
 
My T levels on gels are typically in the low to mid 500's. I can make the numbers move quite a bit depending on when I give blood. If you want your peak T level test about 6-7 hrs after application. By dosing twice/day I can get my T levels over 1500. Watch your PSA. Transdermals can increase DHT significantly which in turn can increase PSA significantly.
 
My T levels on gels are typically in the low to mid 500's. I can make the numbers move quite a bit depending on when I give blood. If you want your peak T level test about 6-7 hrs after application. By dosing twice/day I can get my T levels over 1500. Watch your PSA. Transdermals can increase DHT significantly which in turn can increase PSA significantly.

Good to know. I got the 748 level when blood was drawn around 2 hours after application of the gel. My 305 number was when the blood was drawn around 26 hours after the last application.
 
I used Androgel for a while I could get my T levels in the 700 range but my PSA went up dramaticaly also. I didn't test my DHT back then but I'm sure it was the result of high DHT levels. My PSA rises and falls with my levels of DHT. My highest PSA was 2.8 but my DHT was over 3000. Three times the upper limit.
 
Week 9 check in

Staying the course for now. Energy levels between 6 and 7. Libido is low. I'm really tempted to make a change as my patience is wearing thin
 
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