T Free = 1.1, T Total = 49, E = 13.1

[miller98b]

I already have a thread going and I'm not sure if the protocol is that I shoudl tag this information onto that exisiting thread, but I feel as though this is somewhat different and freestanding from my original thread.

To my point.....I went to the doctor for my latest blood work, after three months on Androgel and then Testim, and my T Levels were through the floor. Total was 49, Free was 1.1 and E was 13.1. My doctor actually thinks the results were tampered with or the report was faulty and has asked me to come back for more blood work. He stated that he has never seen Testosterone this low before, especially when on a TRT prtocol. He stated that, "If the numbers were correct, that I would be near death."

Does anyone have a perspcetive on these results and my uro's statement. Can my numbers really be this low? If so, could still be a functioning human?

Thanks.

 

[IMT staff]

Ive seen it that low more than a handful of times. Sounds like the gel is converting to estrogen, which means less testosterone since it is the raw material. Also E is much more suppressive to our natural T than T itself.

 

[miller98b]

Yes, I'm one week into a new protocol, with a company you may know, of 200 mg of T cyp per week, 50 units of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) 2x/week, 5,000 iu's of Vitamin D orally and a multi-vitamin. I am being patient and waiting for that to take effect before getting new blood work in a month, but I wanted to see if there was something that I should be doing before that due to these incredibly low numbers. I have an Aromatase inhibitor (AI), that I haven't touched yet either since my E numbers were at 13.1.

Is there something else I should be looking for? Cortisol? Other hormones? Anything?

 

[ScottyB28]

No, you don't really need to do anything else. You should be feeling good in a couple more weeks. Good luck

 

[BigBam]

Sounds like a pretty solid protocol..Almost similar to mine, I split 200mg of test twice a week mon & thur (seems to help keep levels more evened out)..300iu's of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) tue & sat..Vitamin D once a week as well...Was using HGH mon-fri, but gave it up... Only difference, I'm also on Vitamin B-12 once a week (1ml) & arimidex .25 once a week..Feeling perty damn good...Wish u much success with your protocol, keep us posted

 

[miller98b]

Good Morning to all! Just an update and some things that I have been thinking about this weekend and wanted to run by you guys. Honestly, I think I am a little too impatient, but I appreciate the review of my questions. Its been a LONG hard journey and I just want my life back.

So, after my original post, I was wondering if my "normal" Estrogen levels were technically high due to the relational fact that my T numbers were so darn low. So to say the same thing in a different way......comparatively speaking, my E numbers were very high when placed next to my T numbers, right? Or does it not work that way? I was wondering if my E would skyrocket when my T numbers increase due to my new protocol? The reason I ask, knowing that bloodwork is really the only way to answer this question, is that I was contemplating starting my Aromatase inhibitor (AI) as a trial to see if things might change faster? Is this something that will make a difference within a few days if I start taking it or will it take weeks to notice a difference like they say the T takes weeks to start working? I'm also wondering if I need an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) due to the fact that I'm heavyset at about 6'3.5" and 285 lbs. I definitly have a more muscular build, but I'm definietly carrying a high bf%. I'd imagine 30-32%

All of these questions come from the battle in my head to find an answer quickly. I continue to tell myself that I'm feeling better, hoping for the power of suggestion, but in review of my weekend, problems still persist. Nothing happens without Cialis, I feel dead inside and stare off into space for long periods of time, no ambition, no drive, anxious beyond compare and tire quickly. The exhaustion that I used to feel at the end of every night has subsided, but during the day, I look catatonic at times. Does this really take 10 weeks before I may notice changes. I've lost all passion for life, and emotions, and want my mojo back. Thank you for your help!

By the way, I've changed to a low-carb diet and started working out again in spite of the way I feel. Decided to be mentally strong and get back into the swing of things while I wait to feel better. I did notice a wonderful case of rash/acne on my left bicep this weekend, but other than that, no signes of things getting any better.

 

[Megatron28]

When I started injections I began noticing a slight difference about 1 week in. Two weeks in I started feeling better. And it got better every week after that for about two months. I was loving life. But everyone's body responds differently to TRT. You are just starting so give it a little time. It really can take some guys a little longer to notice the difference.

I'm not saying this is you, but some people notice changes in their body more and some less. For example, there are guys our there who walk around with a hernia for a couple of years and have no idea they have it!

 

[miller98b]

When I started injections I began noticing a slight difference about 1 week in. Two weeks in I started feeling better. And it got better every week after that for about two months. I was loving life. But everyone's body responds differently to TRT. You are just starting so give it a little time. It really can take some guys a little longer to notice the difference.

I'm not saying this is you, but some people notice changes in their body more and some less. For example, there are guys our there who walk around with a hernia for a couple of years and have no idea they have it!

Yeah, I definitely know that I'm whining, impatient or anxious sometimes as I sit here and wait for an end to the answer-less journey that I have been on for two years now. I'm scared to death that I'll be in week 8, 9, or 10 of my new protocol and not feeling any better as I've had countless doctors provide countless ideas with absolutely no results. When you say you were, "loving life," what exactly did you feel at that time? What should I be on the look out for with regards to results? My endo and uro stated that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) isn't, "a magic drug or plausible solution to my problems," and that I wouldn't even really notice any changes once my T increased. The biggest thing I suppose, is that I want to properly set my expectations as to avoid disappointment. It might seem easy to say, "Oh, just wait for results and see," but after so many failed avenues, I am pessimistically hopeful. Thanks.

 

[Megatron28]

I just started feeling like my old self again. I suddenly had energy. I was literally chasing my wife around the house again whereas before I barely had the energy to care. I never had problems getting erections, but they were much harder. I had a spring in my step when I played hockey and I was recovering from the games faster. I was able to concentrate better at work. I wasn't grumpy all the time and didn't feel constantly tire. Like I said, I felt alive again. And I couldn't believe that each injection was making me feel even better. It had been so long since I had felt like that; I had forgotten what I was supposed to feel like.

I don't know why they would tell you that you won't notice the difference. Getting your T levels back up to normal should make a huge difference. Just give it some time and you will start feeling better. It takes a little time to build up in you body and remember that what is left of you natural production is shutting down so it takes some time to build up to higher T levels.

 

[biggjd69]

Megatron, if your levels are already low(1.22lg/mg total tes)is it a good idea to take test that is going to take your natural production all the way down. I ltereally would have nothing

 

[miller98b]

I just started feeling like my old self again. I suddenly had energy. I was literally chasing my wife around the house again whereas before I barely had the energy to care. I never had problems getting erections, but they were much harder. I had a spring in my step when I played hockey and I was recovering from the games faster. I was able to concentrate better at work. I wasn't grumpy all the time and didn't feel constantly tire. Like I said, I felt alive again. And I couldn't believe that each injection was making me feel even better. It had been so long since I had felt like that; I had forgotten what I was supposed to feel like.

I don't know why they would tell you that you won't notice the difference. Getting your T levels back up to normal should make a huge difference. Just give it some time and you will start feeling better. It takes a little time to build up in you body and remember that what is left of you natural production is shutting down so it takes some time to build up to higher T levels.

Thanks for that information. If I had all of those improvements, I would be ecstatic. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any of these changes and report back frequently. I am so ready to feel better. I'm slowly feeling the anxiety and depression lift, but it is a little bit of a rollercoaster at times. Honestly, if I still felt like crap, but the ED was fixed, I might call that success!! but wouldnt most guys!!

 

[halfwit]

Megatron, if your levels are already low(1.22lg/mg total tes)is it a good idea to take test that is going to take your natural production all the way down. I ltereally would have nothing

Not to answer for Megatron, but if you already have low levels, that level IS your natural production value. You would already have nothing, so taking exogenous test is only going to help you.

 

[Megatron28]

Not to answer for Megatron, but if you already have low levels, that level IS your natural production value. You would already have nothing, so taking exogenous test is only going to help you.

I agree with Halfwit. Your natural production will shut down, but who cares because your natural production is way insufficient. You will replace and augment your T with injections. The T you will be getting from injections will get you to a higher level than you are currently at naturally. In others words, the injections by themself will give you all the T you need. You will just have to play around with the dose to find the right amount for you. Every person is different in how much T they need to inject. There are general guidelines, but they usually require a little fine tuning through trial and error. I have been adjusting my doses a little bit to see how I respond. They key is only changing one variable at a time so you can isolate its impact.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks for that information. If I had all of those improvements, I would be ecstatic. I'll keep my eyes peeled for any of these changes and report back frequently. I am so ready to feel better. I'm slowly feeling the anxiety and depression lift, but it is a little bit of a rollercoaster at times. Honestly, if I still felt like crap, but the ED was fixed, I might call that success!! but wouldnt most guys!!

When I was starting to realize that something was wrong with me I remember asking myself if I was depressed. I thought about it for a minute and I realized I was not. I just didn't have any energy. So are you sure you are depressed?

As for you anxiety, just curious... what triggers you to be anxious? Is it only in certain situations?

Are you taking any medication for either of these? You might want to ask around on this forum, but I think a lot of guys have reported that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) got rid of their need for depression/anxiety medications.

 

[miller98b]

When I was starting to realize that something was wrong with me I remember asking myself if I was depressed. I thought about it for a minute and I realized I was not. I just didn't have any energy. So are you sure you are depressed?

As for you anxiety, just curious... what triggers you to be anxious? Is it only in certain situations?

Are you taking any medication for either of these? You might want to ask around on this forum, but I think a lot of guys have reported that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) got rid of their need for depression/anxiety medications.

Yeah, that is a good question. I don't think I'm depressed, but I feel depressed. That might make sense to you based on your observations regarding your situation, but, as you mentioned, when I think about things, I don't think I have depression per say. It definitely looks like deression bassed on the lethargy, the oversleeping, the irratibility, the lack of zeal for most things and the overall gloomy demeanor. In the very beggining of my, "What's wrong with me?" journey, my doctor prescribed Xanax and Lexapro. These did nothing for me except make me feel more removed from life. I took those at my doctors request for six months and then I had to get off of them quickly. I started self-medicating with coffee and OxyElite Pro thermogenics to keep me on a high and, after watching my sister go through something similar, I 'm wondering if there is a causal link? That's not really important, but, needless to say, the medications did nothing for me and I stopped taking them about a year and a half ago.

With regards to anxiety, both medications wre supposed to help with that as well, it is triggered by menial things. I've always been slightly anxious, but it became unbearable over the past 2 years. Now, when I'm laying in bed at night and I think about going to work the next morning, I get tightness in my chest, I start to feel dizzy, my blood pressure goes through the roof, my pulse increases, I sweat and I feel horrible. The funny thing is that I love my job and look forward to it, but the thought of forgetting some task or failing at a meeting was crippling me at times. What has been really great to see is that when I started Androgel, Testim and the injections, I started to notice some great changes to the "depression" and anxiety; as well as the energy. With the Androgel and the Testim, things quickly went back to bad, but with the injections, it has been a up and down journey that has progressed positively for the first three weeks......still holding my breath to see if it will continue. IMO, the low-T definitely seems like the agitator in the whole equation, but, like I said, I'm still watching things.

As most of the people on this forum know, it's tough in these early days of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), because so many of us have been searching for the cause of our troubles and many of the answers/solutions provided by the medical world are just not adequate. When you finally find a path to success, you hold your breath as you hope that you are not one of the guys that gets on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and never really feels better; at least with any significance. God, I hope things start to change for the better.....and soon.

Megatron, thanks for all of your help and concern!!