Some friendly advice would be appreciated...

[anotherguy]

Hi Everyone

I'm new to this site, and would be grateful for some advice. A bit about me - I'm a 35-year-old male living in the UK. For quite some time now I have been really struggling to concentrate on things, have had a really low mood, been quite forgetful, and at times irritable. My sex drive is almost non existent and this whole side of things is having an effect on my relationship.

Overall, I'm generally seen as a happy person, but the low mood, lack of energy and sexual issues is now having a negative effect on me. Having looked up these symptoms they seemed to possibly tie in with low testosterone. I therefore completed an online consultation with a UK online doctor service, who recommended 2 blood tests - one relating to my prostate and one for testosterone.

I ordered these, sent them off and the results were that my prostate test came back as normal but the testosterone one came back as: 5.9 nmol/L. The doctor has since authorised testosterone gel on the basis of private treatment.

My concern is that just now I cannot afford to pay for the sachets each and every month. Do you think I could possibly go and see my GP? I'm worried that he will send me away without being able to explain just how detrimental all these symptoms are having on me. My mood is so low, and I can be quite a shy person.....I just don't quite know what to do.

Any suggestions would be greatly received.

Thanks so much.

 

[Milton]

a number of things can cause your symptoms, don't go cutting off your leg just cause you sprained your ankle. TRT is for life.
have you had a full blood panel done, hows your thyroid?

 

[anotherguy]

a number of things can cause your symptoms, don't go cutting off your leg just cause you sprained your ankle. TRT is for life.
have you had a full blood panel done, hows your thyroid?

Hi there

The only blood test done so far shows testosterone level of 170 ng/dl / 5.9 mnol/l.

I think I would definitely like to investigate more, but if it is deemed my testosterone level is too low, I would be willing to go on therapy for life if it made a difference to the quality of my life.

 

[halfwit]

Hi there

The only blood test done so far shows testosterone level of 170 ng/dl / 5.9 mnol/l.

I think I would definitely like to investigate more, but if it is deemed my testosterone level is too low, I would be willing to go on therapy for life if it made a difference to the quality of my life.

Yes, you are definitely hypogonadal, however it's in your best interests to find out if there's an underlying cause. TRT will definitely help, but if there's something causing your problem, and solving it could restore you - that would be optimal.

You should push for a more comprehensive panel, assuming you haven't started the gels yet, such as estradiol, LH, FSH, free testosterone, thyroid, prolactin, cortisol, and a sleep study.

Once you have a better idea of what is going on, you can make a better, and more informed decision. I suggest reading the TRT sticky as it contains a wealth of information. Being your own best health care advocate is needed as the medical community is woefully behind in many ways when it comes to hormone management in men.

My .02c

 

[anotherguy]

Yes, you are definitely hypogonadal, however it's in your best interests to find out if there's an underlying cause. TRT will definitely help, but if there's something causing your problem, and solving it could restore you - that would be optimal.

You should push for a more comprehensive panel, assuming you haven't started the gels yet, such as estradiol, LH, FSH, free testosterone, thyroid, prolactin, cortisol, and a sleep study.

Once you have a better idea of what is going on, you can make a better, and more informed decision. I suggest reading the TRT sticky as it contains a wealth of information. Being your own best health care advocate is needed as the medical community is woefully behind in many ways when it comes to hormone management in men.

My .02c

Evening

Thanks very much for the reply. Yes, I agree that it would be much better to have a more comprehensive screening. So I will hold off from using the gels and will make an appointment to see my doctor next week. I guess at least I can tell him I've had a private test done, show him the results, and maybe that will take away my initial apprehension in trying to verbalise everything.

I'll read through the sticky posts - there seems to be a lot of great information here, and I'm really glad I found the site as without it I probably would just have gone with the gels and not had anything else checked out.

Cheers

 

[Mprtz]

Great (and friendly) advice above at an insultingly low price of $0.02.

If the above sounds complicated or like a daunting amount of research, keep in mind that you are in a great position to do things right from the beginning - most guys miss that chance and they never get it back.

 

[anotherguy]

Great (and friendly) advice above at an insultingly low price of $0.02.

If the above sounds complicated or like a daunting amount of research, keep in mind that you are in a great position to do things right from the beginning - most guys miss that chance and they never get it back.

Yup having started reading through the forums and beginning to learn about LT, I can see that there are so many different routes and paths to take (with some obstacles on the way).

I've made an appointment to see my GP on Wednesday. I just hope he takes me seriously.

Does anyone think it's worth me taking in the blood result from the online pharmacy, or should I not mention that?

Cheers everyone.

 

[Mprtz]

Sounds like the online tests were saliva tests?

If so, don't be surprised if he is somewhat skeptical or even dismissive. I would start by just stating that you have reason to believe that you have low testosterone and start with describing your symptoms. If the doctor proceeds to blood tests, fine.

If he seems resistant or focuses on other causes, you could say that you were worried about it and took an at-home test and share it with him. I wouldn't expect him to accept the saliva test in lieu of his own ordered tests.

There are some guys on here who have specific UK experience, you might check out some of their threads.

 

[juced_porkchop]

i would go to doc, mention your concerns and how a friend rec'd the place you sent tests to (so he doesnt get offended) and as for full blood work, hormones and the rest. thyroid, and all that. go from there

 

[Milton]

How did you doctor appointment go? any good news?