TRT becoming a hassle- adjust dosage or quit?

N

novaman

New member
I've been on TRT now for 2.5 years and I'm getting tired of all the issues cropping up

Starting last year my sleep began to deteriorate. I began to wake up for no apparent reason and not be able to get back to sleep. Part of this was due to the BPH I was also developing which was causing me to wake up more frequently to pee.

You add this on top of the regular blood monitoring/donation I have to do and I'm starting to think it isn't worth it anymore.

I started this journey because I was tired a lot- low energy/lethargic. But with my poor sleep I'm still tired and lethargic.

I think my choices are to either quit or lower my doses in hopes of alleviating the sleep issues.

Currently I am on 60 mg test cyp 2x a week, hcg 250 iu 2x a week and anastrozole .25 mg every 2 weeks.

My last bloods had test at 1200 and E2 at 22

any thoughts or suggestions?
 
I can't believe your that high (1200) on only 160 mg per week. (Good for you). Was that blood test a peak or through? I think you and your body are feeling "used" to TRT after 2 1/2 years. I would question how you will feel when your off. (I would guess you won't feel very good). What is your plan? Are you going to attempt a restart? Your in for a world of hurt if you stop cold turkey.

Age, stats, reason for TRT? Are you primary or secondary hypogonadal?
 
Blood test was 24 hours after injection.
Age:53 weight 174 lbs waist 32 height 5-10. I'm pretty fit, exercise religiously combo of cardio and weights
I went on TRT because I was tired a lot, lethargic. My T levels were tested as low as 240 usually around 280. My libido has never been an issue.

Since going on TRT I notice a bunch of things- when I'm going to sleep or just waking up often my heart is pounding and heart rate seems elevated although my fit bit show resting heart rate to be fine.
Also ever since going on TRT I no longer get morning wood- it is almost all night wood.
My sleep quality suddenly decreased last July- I still remember that first time. I never wake up early and one day I woke up at 5 am for no reason.
I also developed BPH symptoms which I have been addressing.

My wife suggested I taper my dose and see how I do so this morning I injected 50 mg instead of 60. I might give this a month and see how I do
 
Your TT is too high thats why your waking up in the night, should switch to once per week injections I bet that helps.

This is why I am not a fan of twice per week injections, it does keep levels more stable but it also keeps them up all the time.

When you do once per week injections that gives your levels time to drop, which is not always a bad thing within reason.
 
The once a week injections are a good idea to bring your level down some. However, you will have a little more of a valley (low) at the end of the week. If the blood test you listed was 24 hours after injection, that would be your peak. Your through is probably around 800-900. I don't think these levels are too high, but it's more how you "feel" than the number.

Try injections once a week, and if that does not help, I would drop the dose.
 
Novaman, we are the same age, same dose of everything, pretty much same weight and similar time on TRT.
Did you really mean Anastrozole 0.25mg every 2 weeks, or twice a week? I'm assuming the latter.

My TT is similar too, perhaps a bit lower. My free T is pretty consistently 2x over max or so, I bet yours is too.

As I also have some of the same symptoms (occasional heavy heartbeat, especially on waking and difficult to control HCT), I will be closely following this. It would be extremely useful for me to know if a reduced dose makes you feel better.
 
Mprtz said:
Novaman, we are the same age, same dose of everything, pretty much same weight and similar time on TRT.
Did you really mean Anastrozole 0.25mg every 2 weeks, or twice a week? I'm assuming the latter.

My TT is similar too, perhaps a bit lower. My free T is pretty consistently 2x over max or so, I bet yours is too.

As I also have some of the same symptoms (occasional heavy heartbeat, especially on waking and difficult to control HCT), I will be closely following this. It would be extremely useful for me to know if a reduced dose makes you feel better.
Click to expand...
Yes I did mean anastrozole 0.25 mg every 2 weeks.
So with the blessing of my TRT doc (who is pretty much a waste IMO) I dropped my dose to 50 mg of test cyp 2x a week. It is now coming up on almost a week. The first thing I noticed is that my all night wood is now a more reasonable part of the night and morning wood. I do seem to be sleeping better.
We shall see if this all sticks
 
Just wanted to gove an update. My decreased Testosterone dosage has not helped my sleep issues. I have continues to follow through with my urologist on the BPH issue and had a cystoscopy done. He could find no problems with my bladder nor my prostate so he thought my issue might be over active bladder and put me on Oxybutynin Chloride, which hasn't helped one bit.

On top of that my HGB/HCT continues to be an issue. My HCT registered 53 on my physical 2 months ago so my physician recommended I halve my testosterone dosage for a month and retest. I ignored his advice and went and donated blood. The iron reading was 16.9 when I went to give blood. I then went to give blood 4 weeks later and the iron level was a 17.3. In an effort to get the level under control I went back 2 weeks later (which was today) and the iron level was 18.0.

It seems that with my HCT issues and now my sleep issues this TRT is simply not worth it for me. I initially went on TRT because of fatigue and lethargy and now I am tired from poor sleep. My wife is begging me to stop this and is fearful that I am wrecking my body. I think at this point she may be right and I need to quit.
 
Have you tried the creams? They may not push your HCT up as high. Sounds like your free T is high.

Might be worth a shot, depending on how long you have been on its gonna be a long road to recovery.

If you were dead set on coming off I would consider HCG mono therapy for 6-8 months.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
You probably just need to lower your dose, you don't want to go back to being fatigued and lethargic for the rest of your life?
 
In our 40s and 50s, it's common that our sleep deteriorates and sleep medicine is far more sophisticated than it was 20 years ago.

I think it might be worth having a sleep study or, at the very least, asking your doc about a Z-drug for a week or two.

Quite possible your blood levels aren't causing sleep issues but the sleep issues are contributing to the blood levels!
 
one other issue I forgot to mention is that my heart rate will sometimes increase. Last night at bedtime it was in the upper 90's.

I do want to make TRT work for me. I enjoy the physical benefits and my libido is fantastic. Its just that my tiredness which is the primary reason I went on TRT is being affected by the sleep issues
 
OK, after doing some research about sleep issues, heart rates and HCT issues with TRT, I've decided to give it another go with continuing to lower my dose. I'm going to drop it to 88 mg of Test Cyp a week split in 2 doses. I'll continue with the 250 IU HCG 2x a week and the .25 mg anastrozole every other week.

I'm going to get the phlebotomy done weekly to get the HCT back down. I'm thinking that 18 reading must be a mistake.

As far as the sleep study, I'm a dentist so I'm very up on Sleep apnea and I've actually had a sleep study done a long time ago. I even have a sleep apnea appliance I've made for myself just to try it. I don't have sleep apnea.

Anybody have any idea how long I should give it to assess any changes?
 
TRT is definitely worth the hassle. Every single time I have a patient want to come off, they come back within a month. The quality of life that TRT brings is just too good. If you are having bph with symptoms such as frequent nocturnal urination you should bring up a 5-alpha-reductive inhibitor.


Dr B
 
Entourage_Doc said:
TRT is definitely worth the hassle. Every single time I have a patient want to come off, they come back within a month. The quality of life that TRT brings is just too good. If you are having bph with symptoms such as frequent nocturnal urination you should bring up a 5-alpha-reductive inhibitor.


Dr B
Click to expand...

Dr B I'm switching over to you. My current TRT doc is clueless.
 
Entourage_Doc said:
If you are having bph with symptoms such as frequent nocturnal urination you should bring up a 5-alpha-reductive inhibitor.

Dr B
Click to expand...

I was not aware that Finasteride would decrease BPH symptoms, we have always used Cialis. Good to know.
 
Last edited:
This is a great thread and something TRT folks will have to deal with at some point. I too have issues with sleeping - mostly staying asleep. It is very true that as we age, our quality of sleep will deteriorate. Personally, I've turned to melatonin. 5mg at bed time and if I wake in the middle of the night, I'll take another 5mg to put me out quickly. This has seemed to work, thought I still don't wake up feeling like I did in my 20's (refreshed and ready to go). I've heard good things about GH and quality of sleep. Just waiting for GH to drop in price so it becomes the next TRT (Cheap and accessible).

My TRT dosage
180MG / week (split into 2 doses)
1mg Adex / week (Split into 2 doses)
NO HCG - though I'm thinking of trying to see if this helps with quality of sleep / well being
 
Yes, I love cialis, such a great medication with multiple benefits.

Finestride or proscar is great to assist in the decrease cellular production of the prostate. Evidence shows it works well :)

I must say having you on this board is great IMT staff. The members here are very fortunate for your knowledge on this specialty!

Dr. B
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
32 year old male 5 months Into TRT
Replies
6
Views
2K
Mikeyytee24
M
3
Looking for a new start on trt
Replies
2
Views
711
dennis john
D
B
Need some opinions after first Cycle of Test
Replies
2
Views
1K
Luther001
L
C
Microdosing Deca & Test
Replies
2
Views
1K
Luther001
L
L
Tren and it's impact on mood and energy
Replies
0
Views
405
LateStart
L
Back
Top