AverageMan
New member
Hello All – I’ve been reading all the great information on the forums. I’m new to TRT and just starting the journey. I’ll long my journey in this post.
Symptoms:
• Extreme fatigue. I go to the gym 5 days a week and run / powerlift. I have decent muscle definition but nothing great. Over time my stamina has steadily dropped to the point I can’t run a mile on the treadmill when I used to run 5 without issue. I eat very healthy – Steel cut oats and a protein shake for breakfast, salad with a grilled chicken breast for lunch and a lean meat and veggie for dinner. I’m 39 years old 5’ 9” 160 lbs with a 32 waist.
• Foggy mind. Having issues remembering facts – people’s names, what the next step is in a complex situation at work, etc.
• Poor sleep quality – I usually don’t have an issue falling asleep but staying asleep is a problem. Randomly wake up for no reason. Sometimes I roll around for a while and sometimes I can get back to sleep fairly quickly. I NEVER wake up feeling refreshed regardless of how well I sleep. Yes, I’ve had an apnea sleep study – Apnea is not an issue.
• I have no other “traditional” low T symptoms. Hair growth is fine, erections are fine, etc.
April 2015 – Primary care physician tested for testosterone. Blood draw ~10AM, total testosterone was 174. Primary care physician recommend I see an endocrinologist.
May 2015 –Endo said I need a CBC to test for primary or secondary hypogonadism. 8AM blood draw. Below are the complete results. It’s clearly primary hypogonadism. Also the endo said the optimal size for testis is 22mm while mine are around 15mm. This time testosterone came in at 303. The cut off for TRT is 290 (at least for my endo). He said that I’m borderline low T, given the 290 cutoff but was willing to put me on Androgel 1.62.
TSH: Your TSH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
TSH 3.380 Range: 0.40-4.40 uIU/mL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
PROLACTIN: Your PROLACTIN Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
PROLACTIN 4.9 Range: 2.5-17.0 ng/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
FSH: Your FSH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
FSH 8.3 Range: mIU/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
LH: Your LH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
LH 2.2 Range: mIU/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T4 FREE: Your T4 FREE Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
FREE T4 1.05 Range: 0.80-1.80 ng/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE): Your TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE) Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
CALC FREE TESTERONE 5.7 Range: 4.8-25.0 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CALC FREE TESTO REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE 303 Range: 292-1052 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB 36 Range: 17-66 NMOL/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR: Your COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
ALBUMIN 4.6 Range: 3.2-5.3 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ALK PHOS 57 Range: 35-121 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ALT-SGPT 18 Range: 5-59 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ANION GAP 13 Range: (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
AST-SGOT 21 Range: 10-42 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
BUN 17 Range: 10-20 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CALCIUM 9.3 Range: 8.7-10.8 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CHLORIDE 101 Range: 95-111 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CO2 30 Range: 21-32 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CREATININE 1.1 Range: 0.5-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
eGFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN 91 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
eGFR, NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN 75 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
GLUCOSE 92 Range: 70-100 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
POTASSIUM 4.8 Range: 3.5-5.4 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
SODIUM 139 Range: 134-147 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T. BILIRUBIN 0.7 Range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T. PROTEIN 6.3 Range: 5.8-8.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
June 1 2015 – I had been on (2) pumps of Androgel 1.62 for just over a week and went for another blood test, again at 8AM sharp but before putting on Androgel for the day. I was very curious to get the results because I felt no different after using Androgel. Below are the lab results. Testosterone at 195 this time. Endo said to up the dose to (3) pumps. After another week of (3) pumps of Androgel 1.62 I still feel no different. At this point I’m almost out of Androgel.
TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE): Your TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE) lab results show some abnormalities
CALC FREE TESTERONE 4.2 Range: 4.8-25.7 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CALC FREE TESTO REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
TESTOSTERONE 195 Range: 300-1080 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
TESTOSTERONE REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB 26 Range: 16.5-55.9 NMOL/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CBC: Your CBC Minor abnormal. This is of no significance to your health and we will discuss at follow up visit.
% BASOPHILS 0.8 Range: 0.-1. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% EOSINOPHILS 2.6 Range: 1.-4. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% LYMPHOCYTES 38.7 Range: 16-48 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% MONOCYTES 8.4 Range: 1.-8. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% NEUTROPHILS 49.5 Range: 45-75 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS BASOPHILS 0.0 Range: 0.0-0.1 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS EOSINOPHILS 0.1 Range: 0.1-0.4 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS LYMPHOCYTES 1.3 Range: 0.8-5.2 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS MONOCYTES 0.3 Range: 0.1-0.9 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS NEUTROPHILS 1.7 Range: 1.3-9.1 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
HCT 44.9 Range: 41.4-51.0 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
HGB 15.2 Range: 13.8-17.0 g/dL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCH 29.1 Range: 27.0-34.0 pg (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCHC 33.9 Range: 31.0-36.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCV 85.7 Range: 80.-100. u3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
PLATELET 221 Range: 150.-450. th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
RBC 5.24 Range: 4.00-5.50 mi/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
RDW 12.7 Range: 10.8-14.8 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
WBC 3.3 Range: 3.7-10.8 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR: Your COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR Minor abnormal. This is of no significance to your health and we will discuss at follow up visit.
ALBUMIN 4.3 Range: 3.2-5.3 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ALK PHOS 53 Range: 35-121 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ALT-SGPT 20 Range: 5-59 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ANION GAP 9 Range: (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
AST-SGOT 25 Range: 10-42 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
BUN 15 Range: 10-20 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CALCIUM 9.0 Range: 8.7-10.8 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CHLORIDE 103 Range: 95-111 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CO2 28 Range: 21-32 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CREATININE 1.1 Range: 0.5-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
eGFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN 91 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
eGFR, NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN 75 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
GLUCOSE 86 Range: 70-100 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
POTASSIUM 4.2 Range: 3.5-5.4 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
SODIUM 136 Range: 134-147 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
T. BILIRUBIN 0.6 Range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
T. PROTEIN 6.1 Range: 5.8-8.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
June 6 2015 – I can’t get back into my endo until the 24th. I’m not thrilled but it is what it is. In reading all the information on this board I’m going to ask the Endo for Test Cyp – 50mg every 3.5 days and blood draw on the 3rd day before my shot so I get a trough reading. I’m also going to ask for CBC with E2, since from what I’m reading here E2 is a problem with Test Cyp I also have genetically high cholesterol and am on a statin, but have recently stopped taking it due to good numbers as a result of healthy eating and working out 5 days a week. I’m concerned about LDL going up while on test Cyp. My LDL is on the medium high side right now and I’ve read that test cyp can elevate LDL. Kinda odd that you see these old school wrestles all dying of heart attacks at the same age due to blockages created by LDL (Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, etc.) It’s a fact they all abused steroids. I’m not worried about taking HCG to stay fertile due to my age – at 39 I’m done having kids. That is unless there are other benefits to taking HCG? Also I’ve read that you can take HCG at any time and the testis will bound back into shape.
Sorry for all the info. I take my health very seriously and have never done an illegal drug in my life (including steroids). My biggest fear with TRT is:
1. Being dependent on shots every 3 days for the rest of my life – that is until a better and cost effective approach is released into the market.
2. Unknown effects of long term TRT on the human body. This really scares me – so much conflicting information. Seeing guys like Dr. Jeffery Life is encouraging, but one guy doing well on TRT (well OK and HGH too) doesn’t spell success for everyone. Just like George Burns smoking a cigar every day and living to see 100 isn’t typical given what we know about smoking.
Anyone here been on TRT for a long time? Say 10+ years? If so, what is your experience?
I’ll post back once I have my endo appt in 3 weeks. Thanks for reading.
Symptoms:
• Extreme fatigue. I go to the gym 5 days a week and run / powerlift. I have decent muscle definition but nothing great. Over time my stamina has steadily dropped to the point I can’t run a mile on the treadmill when I used to run 5 without issue. I eat very healthy – Steel cut oats and a protein shake for breakfast, salad with a grilled chicken breast for lunch and a lean meat and veggie for dinner. I’m 39 years old 5’ 9” 160 lbs with a 32 waist.
• Foggy mind. Having issues remembering facts – people’s names, what the next step is in a complex situation at work, etc.
• Poor sleep quality – I usually don’t have an issue falling asleep but staying asleep is a problem. Randomly wake up for no reason. Sometimes I roll around for a while and sometimes I can get back to sleep fairly quickly. I NEVER wake up feeling refreshed regardless of how well I sleep. Yes, I’ve had an apnea sleep study – Apnea is not an issue.
• I have no other “traditional” low T symptoms. Hair growth is fine, erections are fine, etc.
April 2015 – Primary care physician tested for testosterone. Blood draw ~10AM, total testosterone was 174. Primary care physician recommend I see an endocrinologist.
May 2015 –Endo said I need a CBC to test for primary or secondary hypogonadism. 8AM blood draw. Below are the complete results. It’s clearly primary hypogonadism. Also the endo said the optimal size for testis is 22mm while mine are around 15mm. This time testosterone came in at 303. The cut off for TRT is 290 (at least for my endo). He said that I’m borderline low T, given the 290 cutoff but was willing to put me on Androgel 1.62.
TSH: Your TSH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
TSH 3.380 Range: 0.40-4.40 uIU/mL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
PROLACTIN: Your PROLACTIN Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
PROLACTIN 4.9 Range: 2.5-17.0 ng/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
FSH: Your FSH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
FSH 8.3 Range: mIU/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
LH: Your LH Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
LH 2.2 Range: mIU/ml (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T4 FREE: Your T4 FREE Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
FREE T4 1.05 Range: 0.80-1.80 ng/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE): Your TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE) Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
CALC FREE TESTERONE 5.7 Range: 4.8-25.0 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CALC FREE TESTO REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE 303 Range: 292-1052 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
TESTOSTERONE REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB 36 Range: 17-66 NMOL/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR: Your COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR Lab results are normal. Please continue all your current medications and keep your previously scheduled follow up visit.
ALBUMIN 4.6 Range: 3.2-5.3 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ALK PHOS 57 Range: 35-121 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ALT-SGPT 18 Range: 5-59 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
ANION GAP 13 Range: (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
AST-SGOT 21 Range: 10-42 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
BUN 17 Range: 10-20 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CALCIUM 9.3 Range: 8.7-10.8 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CHLORIDE 101 Range: 95-111 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CO2 30 Range: 21-32 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
CREATININE 1.1 Range: 0.5-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
eGFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN 91 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
eGFR, NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN 75 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
GLUCOSE 92 Range: 70-100 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
POTASSIUM 4.8 Range: 3.5-5.4 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
SODIUM 139 Range: 134-147 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T. BILIRUBIN 0.7 Range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
T. PROTEIN 6.3 Range: 5.8-8.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/02/2015)
June 1 2015 – I had been on (2) pumps of Androgel 1.62 for just over a week and went for another blood test, again at 8AM sharp but before putting on Androgel for the day. I was very curious to get the results because I felt no different after using Androgel. Below are the lab results. Testosterone at 195 this time. Endo said to up the dose to (3) pumps. After another week of (3) pumps of Androgel 1.62 I still feel no different. At this point I’m almost out of Androgel.
TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE): Your TESTOSTERONE - FREE INDEX PROFILE (MALE) lab results show some abnormalities
CALC FREE TESTERONE 4.2 Range: 4.8-25.7 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CALC FREE TESTO REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
TESTOSTERONE 195 Range: 300-1080 NG/DL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
TESTOSTERONE REF RANGE SEE ABOVE Range: SEE ABOVE (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB 26 Range: 16.5-55.9 NMOL/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CBC: Your CBC Minor abnormal. This is of no significance to your health and we will discuss at follow up visit.
% BASOPHILS 0.8 Range: 0.-1. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% EOSINOPHILS 2.6 Range: 1.-4. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% LYMPHOCYTES 38.7 Range: 16-48 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% MONOCYTES 8.4 Range: 1.-8. % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
% NEUTROPHILS 49.5 Range: 45-75 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS BASOPHILS 0.0 Range: 0.0-0.1 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS EOSINOPHILS 0.1 Range: 0.1-0.4 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS LYMPHOCYTES 1.3 Range: 0.8-5.2 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS MONOCYTES 0.3 Range: 0.1-0.9 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ABS NEUTROPHILS 1.7 Range: 1.3-9.1 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
HCT 44.9 Range: 41.4-51.0 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
HGB 15.2 Range: 13.8-17.0 g/dL (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCH 29.1 Range: 27.0-34.0 pg (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCHC 33.9 Range: 31.0-36.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
MCV 85.7 Range: 80.-100. u3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
PLATELET 221 Range: 150.-450. th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
RBC 5.24 Range: 4.00-5.50 mi/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
RDW 12.7 Range: 10.8-14.8 % (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
WBC 3.3 Range: 3.7-10.8 th/mm3 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR: Your COMPREHENSIVE ********* PANEL WITH GFR Minor abnormal. This is of no significance to your health and we will discuss at follow up visit.
ALBUMIN 4.3 Range: 3.2-5.3 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ALK PHOS 53 Range: 35-121 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ALT-SGPT 20 Range: 5-59 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
ANION GAP 9 Range: (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
AST-SGOT 25 Range: 10-42 IU/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
BUN 15 Range: 10-20 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CALCIUM 9.0 Range: 8.7-10.8 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CHLORIDE 103 Range: 95-111 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CO2 28 Range: 21-32 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
CREATININE 1.1 Range: 0.5-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
eGFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN 91 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
eGFR, NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN 75 Range: >60 (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
GLUCOSE 86 Range: 70-100 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
POTASSIUM 4.2 Range: 3.5-5.4 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
SODIUM 136 Range: 134-147 mmol/L (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
T. BILIRUBIN 0.6 Range: 0.2-1.3 mg/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
T. PROTEIN 6.1 Range: 5.8-8.0 g/dl (Collection Date: 05/30/2015)
June 6 2015 – I can’t get back into my endo until the 24th. I’m not thrilled but it is what it is. In reading all the information on this board I’m going to ask the Endo for Test Cyp – 50mg every 3.5 days and blood draw on the 3rd day before my shot so I get a trough reading. I’m also going to ask for CBC with E2, since from what I’m reading here E2 is a problem with Test Cyp I also have genetically high cholesterol and am on a statin, but have recently stopped taking it due to good numbers as a result of healthy eating and working out 5 days a week. I’m concerned about LDL going up while on test Cyp. My LDL is on the medium high side right now and I’ve read that test cyp can elevate LDL. Kinda odd that you see these old school wrestles all dying of heart attacks at the same age due to blockages created by LDL (Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, etc.) It’s a fact they all abused steroids. I’m not worried about taking HCG to stay fertile due to my age – at 39 I’m done having kids. That is unless there are other benefits to taking HCG? Also I’ve read that you can take HCG at any time and the testis will bound back into shape.
Sorry for all the info. I take my health very seriously and have never done an illegal drug in my life (including steroids). My biggest fear with TRT is:
1. Being dependent on shots every 3 days for the rest of my life – that is until a better and cost effective approach is released into the market.
2. Unknown effects of long term TRT on the human body. This really scares me – so much conflicting information. Seeing guys like Dr. Jeffery Life is encouraging, but one guy doing well on TRT (well OK and HGH too) doesn’t spell success for everyone. Just like George Burns smoking a cigar every day and living to see 100 isn’t typical given what we know about smoking.
Anyone here been on TRT for a long time? Say 10+ years? If so, what is your experience?
I’ll post back once I have my endo appt in 3 weeks. Thanks for reading.
