Re-evaluating at age 30 (on TRT since age 17)

[fred412]

Long story short, I had delayed puberty and growth hormone deficiency finally diagnosed at age 17. I was on growth hormone for probably 4 years and it worked to give me some height.

They were not able to 'jump start' me to produce more testosterone on my own (I just remember my childrens endo saying this). I've mostly been on test injections -- though in my mid-20s I tried both the patch and Androgel (the patch irritated my skin and Androgel is a mess). So, I went back to the injections.

I do the injection myself with prescribed Testosterone cypionate 200 mg/mL (Inject 0.25 ml every 7 days). I asked before about having my E2 tested, my endo said not needed. I also asked about HCG and he said not needed (my balls have always been on the small side but normal sized penis).

Current labs on the day before I usually take my shot, so the lowest period of the week:

TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL LC,MS,MS 403
Reference range: 250 to 1100
Unit: ng/dL

Free Testosterone 85.8
Reference range: 35.0 to 155.0
Unit: pg/mL

I was wondering if there is anything I should be asking going forward? To be honest, I don't really feel as "horny" any more in general and often my erections are softer. They are hard but not "rock hard".

 

[Megatron28]

Wow. Only 50mg of test per week!!! That is a really low dose. You need to increase your dose. Most guys on TRT take between 100-200mg per week. At 403ng/dl for TT you are just barely above the hypogonadal range.

You probably don't have to check your estradiol on you current dosage, but it would be prudent to check it at least once. You will definitely want to check it if you increase your test dosage.

I would tell you doc if you are going to go through all the trouble of TRT that you at least want to be at the upper end of the normal range. At a minimum at the average male's TT level of 600ng/dl.

If your doc won't cooperate you should look for a new one.

 

[fred412]

I was at 75mg and he lowered it to 50mg about 2 years ago. I *think* he said my free T was maybe getting too high? I'd need to go look back through my stuff. Sadly they just started to put test results online for us.

 

[THE-DET-OAK]

50 mgs a week would probably put your levels @ 250 ng/dl trough

 

[MBB]

I was at 75mg and he lowered it to 50mg about 2 years ago. I *think* he said my free T was maybe getting too high? I'd need to go look back through my stuff. Sadly they just started to put test results online for us.

If some of our (other TRT patients) had our doctors basing our doses off Free T then we'd all be feeling really miserable with low TT.