TRT - Did I make a mistake?

Olijack

New member
Hi guys,

First post here but been lurking for a few months.

I am a 33 years old, 6'2", 204lbs. I have lifted seriously for over 4 years and to start, here are my bloods that I recently got taken at 10am after 9 hours of sleep: https://i.imgur.com/IUxM83D.jpg

Total T: 377 (348-1197)

Here's what happened. I took these results to my doctor and told him I wanted to check everything for why I was feeling how I was. Hormones, thyroid, liver, vitamins/minerals. He was all about it even getting blood for some things I didn't know of, so a lot of blood was drawn, urine sample given. And he said, I'll give you a B12 shot because it can't hurt.

I thought we were finished and the nurse was going to give me the B12. But then he came back in and said my blood results above suggest I am primary hypogonadism so let's start testosterone cyp 200mg. I was taken off guard and doctor visits give me anxiety anyway so I kind of froze up and ended up taking the shot along with the B12.

Then the plan was to come back in two weeks and test again. He said I will crash at some point, so take note of when that happens and how I feel.

I eat about 80% clean, practically flawless through the work week - beef, chicken, fish, salads, veggies, rice, sweet potatoes, etc. Take optmen multi, vitamin D3 3,000mg now that it's winter, vitamin K2, and magnesium. On the weekends I try to keep it clean but will have a pizza or burger or go out to eat. I drink maybe once every two weeks, 1-5 drinks usually only when I go out to eat with friends or something is going on. No drugs, don't smoke, no prior steroid use.

Here are the symptoms I have experienced, they all started suddenly about 2.5 years ago. I spent that time searching for natural/herbal remedies, really cleaned up my diet and habits but nothing brought improvement.

-The major symptom happened all of a sudden was erection problems, could get it up but about 70% strength and it would fade very quickly if stimulation stopped, sometimes couldn't get it up (a previous doc wouldn't test hormones and just gave me cialis)

-At the same time my ejaculation volume significantly decreased. I used to shoot big loads far, now it was just a dribble
-Libido is practically non-existent, I used to annoy girlfriends I needed it so much/masturbate multiple times a day
-Very hard for me to put on muscle, I'm fit but still have belly fat that just won't go. I keep dropping calories but then I just loose strength and muscle so I keep it close to maintenance either way depending anymore because I know fats and calories are important for testosterone. And I lift seriously. I've tried a trainer that is a bodybuilder, 5x5, 5-3-1, and other programs. I stuck with them too. didn't just hop around.

-This year especially it takes all I have to get to work, the gym, and sleep. I have no energy or motivation
-Workouts take it all out of me. I can't workout before work anymore because it makes me to exhausted, I pretty much need a nap after every workout. I used to come out of workouts feeling like I could take on the world, now I just feel drained. And I don't overtrain. I lift 3 times a week focusing on the big compounds and I'll do one set of sprints per week.

-I've tried bulking the past two years, but I just gain a ton of fat and don't really see a big improvement on strength versus when I'm not bulking
-No endurance as far as running goes, no matter how i work at it running a mile is still torture
-Slight depression, previous doctors tried to prescribe anti-depressants but I didn't feel I was depressed enough to warrant it and didn't want to mess with the sides
-Anxiety
-irritability, my girlfriend says I've become a boring, grumpy old man
-Feel like I've lost confidence in myself
-no desire to do anything but sleep in free time. it takes everything in me to get to the gym, to hang out with friends.
-Always tired, but then can't sleep well. i fall asleep fine, but then wake up after a few hours and even if I'm super sleep deprived can't sleep more than 5-6 hours usually
-Night sweats
-No morning wood or spontaneous erections. Can't remember the last time I had these
-I do have a FULL head of hair and can grow a decent beard but now have a couple patches in my beard that were definitely not there before judging from old pictures

Now I don't know if this was placebo but the day after I got the shot I felt really good, not in a high kind of way, but more of a 'oh this is how it's supposed to be'. Like the veil was lifted. I felt confident, I was making small talk with people at work. I had a HUGE appetite, my erections were like steel, and libido was back. it felt like there was life down there again, I would start to get hard just from seeing attractive girls out and about. I also slept better than i have in years.

This lasted for 3 days. Then for 1.5 days I felt like I got hit by a truck, or like I had the flu without the being sick symptoms - muscle weekness, extreme fatigue, brain fog, it was all I could do to get through the workday. The appetite and good sleep stayed. This cleared though and felt decent again. But then at 6 days after the shot (I jotted down quick notes everyday after the shot) I noticed the familiar feelings listed above coming back and this has been the case until now-11 days later. Not much appetite, bad sleep, grumpy, slight depressed/bummed out feeling. I'm supposed to go in again in 3 days, exactly two weeks later for a follow up.

My question is did I make a big mistake by letting them give me that shot of testosterone? I felt how I feel I should for the first few days, it was amazing. I don't want kids so that's not an issue. I just don't like the idea of being on something for the rest of my life. I'll be honest, I'm worried about my hair a little. And I don't know if I have exhausted all options for the root cause.

What does my blood results tell you and what are your opinions?

Thanks in advance
 
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Hi guys,

First post here but been lurking for a few months.

I am a 33 years old, 6'2", 204lbs. I have lifted seriously for over 4 years and to start, here are my bloods that I recently got taken at 10am after 9 hours of sleep: https://i.imgur.com/IUxM83D.jpg

Total T: 377 (348-1197)

Here's what happened. I took these results to my doctor and told him I wanted to check everything for why I was feeling how I was. Hormones, thyroid, liver, vitamins/minerals. He was all about it even getting blood for some things I didn't know of, so a lot of blood was drawn, urine sample given. And he said, I'll give you a B12 shot because it can't hurt.

I thought we were finished and the nurse was going to give me the B12. But then he came back in and said my blood results above suggest I am primary hypogonadism so let's start testosterone cyp 200mg. I was taken off guard and doctor visits give me anxiety anyway so I kind of froze up and ended up taking the shot along with the B12.

Then the plan was to come back in two weeks and test again. He said I will crash at some point, so take note of when that happens and how I feel.

I eat about 80% clean, practically flawless through the work week - beef, chicken, fish, salads, veggies, rice, sweet potatoes, etc. Take optmen multi, vitamin D3 3,000mg now that it's winter, vitamin K2, and magnesium. On the weekends I try to keep it clean but will have a pizza or burger or go out to eat. I drink maybe once every two weeks, 1-5 drinks usually only when I go out to eat with friends or something is going on. No drugs, don't smoke, no prior steroid use.

Here are the symptoms I have experienced, they all started suddenly about 2.5 years ago. I spent that time searching for natural/herbal remedies, really cleaned up my diet and habits but nothing brought improvement.

-The major symptom happened all of a sudden was erection problems, could get it up but about 70% strength and it would fade very quickly if stimulation stopped, sometimes couldn't get it up (a previous doc wouldn't test hormones and just gave me cialis)

-At the same time my ejaculation volume significantly decreased. I used to shoot big loads far, now it was just a dribble
-Libido is practically non-existent, I used to annoy girlfriends I needed it so much/masturbate multiple times a day
-Very hard for me to put on muscle, I'm fit but still have belly fat that just won't go. I keep dropping calories but then I just loose strength and muscle so I keep it close to maintenance either way depending anymore because I know fats and calories are important for testosterone. And I lift seriously. I've tried a trainer that is a bodybuilder, 5x5, 5-3-1, and other programs. I stuck with them too. didn't just hop around.

-This year especially it takes all I have to get to work, the gym, and sleep. I have no energy or motivation
-Workouts take it all out of me. I can't workout before work anymore because it makes me to exhausted, I pretty much need a nap after every workout. I used to come out of workouts feeling like I could take on the world, now I just feel drained. And I don't overtrain. I lift 3 times a week focusing on the big compounds and I'll do one set of sprints per week.

-I've tried bulking the past two years, but I just gain a ton of fat and don't really see a big improvement on strength versus when I'm not bulking
-No endurance as far as running goes, no matter how i work at it running a mile is still torture
-Slight depression, previous doctors tried to prescribe anti-depressants but I didn't feel I was depressed enough to warrant it and didn't want to mess with the sides
-Anxiety
-irritability, my girlfriend says I've become a boring, grumpy old man
-Feel like I've lost confidence in myself
-no desire to do anything but sleep in free time. it takes everything in me to get to the gym, to hang out with friends.
-Always tired, but then can't sleep well. i fall asleep fine, but then wake up after a few hours and even if I'm super sleep deprived can't sleep more than 5-6 hours usually
-Night sweats
-No morning wood or spontaneous erections. Can't remember the last time I had these
-I do have a FULL head of hair and can grow a decent beard but now have a couple patches in my beard that were definitely not there before judging from old pictures

Now I don't know if this was placebo but the day after I got the shot I felt really good, not in a high kind of way, but more of a 'oh this is how it's supposed to be'. Like the veil was lifted. I felt confident, I was making small talk with people at work. I had a HUGE appetite, my erections were like steel, and libido was back. it felt like there was life down there again, I would start to get hard just from seeing attractive girls out and about. I also slept better than i have in years.

This lasted for 3 days. Then for 1.5 days I felt like I got hit by a truck, or like I had the flu without the being sick symptoms - muscle weekness, extreme fatigue, brain fog, it was all I could do to get through the workday. The appetite and good sleep stayed. This cleared though and felt decent again. But then at 6 days after the shot (I jotted down quick notes everyday after the shot) I noticed the familiar feelings listed above coming back and this has been the case until now-11 days later. Not much appetite, bad sleep, grumpy, slight depressed/bummed out feeling. I'm supposed to go in again in 3 days, exactly two weeks later for a follow up.

My question is did I make a big mistake by letting them give me that shot of testosterone? I felt how I feel I should for the first few days, it was amazing. I don't want kids so that's not an issue. I just don't like the idea of being on something for the rest of my life. I'll be honest, I'm worried about my hair a little. And I don't know if I have exhausted all options for the root cause.

What does my blood results tell you and what are your opinions?

Thanks in advance

Blood test doesn't look too bad. Test is a tad low at 377. Your total T will fluctuate and most docs want 2 blood tests minimum. Mine ranged from 170 to 300 for example. Both where AM tests.

I don't see TSH (thyroid) in the test.

Looks like your LH is a tad high - your body is screaming at your testicles to produce more test. The analogy is turning your thermostat to 80 and the furnace will not kick on. LH is your body's thermostat.

It takes 4-6 weeks for the test shots to saturate your system. I'm surprised you felt better that quickly, though it could be that the shots coupled with your natural test production raised your T enough for you to feel better temporarily. When you introduce external test to your body, it WILL STOP making test. Yes - you will be giving yourself shots 2X a week for the rest of your life should you choose to continue.

If it makes you feel better and improves your quality of life, it's very worth it.
 
With those blood test results, I don't think you made a mistake. Just be sure that estradiol is something they watch as well. I'd discuss the use of HCG and an AI as well as the need to donate blood regularly to prevent hematocrit from becoming a problem.

My .02c :)
 
With those blood test results, I don't think you made a mistake. Just be sure that estradiol is something they watch as well. I'd discuss the use of HCG and an AI as well as the need to donate blood regularly to prevent hematocrit from becoming a problem.

My .02c :)

Thanks halfwit!

I went back today and my test results from the last visit were lower than my private md test. He gave me another shot this time at 300 mg. And we discussed moving to once a week when I start injecting on my own. He's ok with that and said for in office injections they follow the guidelines of every two weeks.

He took blood today, and then has me coming back in a week to see what my levels are at then after this shot. He emphasized regular check ups for blood thickening and estrogen. Also said if my balls shrink to much we can address that too.

One other thing, my iron levels came back fairly low on the range. I want to say 80 with a range of 55 to 225. He said for my size he'd like me at 150 and to eat spinach every day to see if that increases it.
 
Thanks halfwit!

I went back today and my test results from the last visit were lower than my private md test. He gave me another shot this time at 300 mg. And we discussed moving to once a week when I start injecting on my own. He's ok with that and said for in office injections they follow the guidelines of every two weeks.

He took blood today, and then has me coming back in a week to see what my levels are at then after this shot. He emphasized regular check ups for blood thickening and estrogen. Also said if my balls shrink to much we can address that too.

One other thing, my iron levels came back fairly low on the range. I want to say 80 with a range of 55 to 225. He said for my size he'd like me at 150 and to eat spinach every day to see if that increases it.

Honestly once a week is going to give you a lot of ups and downs. For consistency sake I would split the dose and do 2 a week whatever dose you and your doc settle on. Make sure you're monitoring E2 and you may need an AI like adex. I noticed you said you don't care about having kids so maybe hcg isn't something you care about unless visual size of your testicles matters to you.
 
Yes, that was the plan - once I get going on 1 per week from the doctor, just splitting it up into twice a week doses.

My TSH was 3.23 (Range 0.35-4.0)

My full blood specifics will be emailed to me tomorrow
 
Yes, that was the plan - once I get going on 1 per week from the doctor, just splitting it up into twice a week doses.

My TSH was 3.23 (Range 0.35-4.0)

My full blood specifics will be emailed to me tomorrow

Give it a few months on TRT to see if thyroid and iron levels don't normalize. Low testosterone is a slow and agonizing death as so many different systems in the body depend on the hormone.

Just make sure that before he changes anything, he gives about a month from the first injection, and 4-5 weeks after any changes are made to reassess. Testosterone cypionate needs about four half-lives to build up to full concentration in the blood stream, which is around 32 days.
 
Just so you know my fathers levelsat 67 years old before starting TRT 670. You arent going to see side on 200 every 2 weeks it should be more like 250 -300 every 10 days the half life is 10 days
 
Give it a few months on TRT to see if thyroid and iron levels don't normalize. Low testosterone is a slow and agonizing death as so many different systems in the body depend on the hormone.

Just make sure that before he changes anything, he gives about a month from the first injection, and 4-5 weeks after any changes are made to reassess. Testosterone cypionate needs about four half-lives to build up to full concentration in the blood stream, which is around 32 days.

Alright, I'll just go with the doctors plan until we get a good handle on levels. Then start trying twice a week injections after that once I'm on my own.
 
Alright, I'll just go with the doctors plan until we get a good handle on levels. Then start trying twice a week injections after that once I'm on my own.

Sounds solid to me. Just keep reading and feel free to ask any questions that you come up with. We have easily one of the best TRT communities there are here, so it's unlikely that you'll stump the collective minds of ology.

(I can only think of one exception, and I'm STILL looking newtohrt!)

Be ready to see the world change before your eyes. It's seriously like being reborn for most of us. ;)
 
Only just found this post OP... you sure have all the classic signs of primary hypogonadism and your story is remarkably similar to mine a few years back.

HW is right, you are in good company here, feel free to ask questions as you go through the next few months as you try and settle on to a protocol that works for you. Don't get frustrated as it can take time to get everything in place.

Fortunately you appear to have an open-minded doctor with good intentions - everything he has done so far seems to be positive and proactive.

Good luck OP. I'm subbed to this thread and will help out where I can - although HW has you covered too it seems.

PS: Once you have your TRT protocol in place - you'll feel (and look) like a new man.
You have reason to be optimistic now and look forward to the future.

I am finding as each year slips by, that I meet guys I went to school with and see their rapid decline.
Whereas I now have a body to be proud of, the sex life of a porn star, and the aches, pains and lethargy - are a distant memory :)

BigBen
 
Only just found this post OP... you sure have all the classic signs of primary hypogonadism and your story is remarkably similar to mine a few years back.

HW is right, you are in good company here, feel free to ask questions as you go through the next few months as you try and settle on to a protocol that works for you. Don't get frustrated as it can take time to get everything in place.

Fortunately you appear to have an open-minded doctor with good intentions - everything he has done so far seems to be positive and proactive.

Good luck OP. I'm subbed to this thread and will help out where I can - although HW has you covered too it seems.

PS: Once you have your TRT protocol in place - you'll feel (and look) like a new man.
You have reason to be optimistic now and look forward to the future.

I am finding as each year slips by, that I meet guys I went to school with and see their rapid decline.
Whereas I now have a body to be proud of, the sex life of a porn star, and the aches, pains and lethargy - are a distant memory :)

BigBen

Thanks man, that's really encouraging!

I think the 300mg shot might have been too much. Maybe not related but I didn't feel good like I did after the first 200mg shot. I had some anxiety, night sweats, and brain fog the entire time. Also had some major hair shedding on day 3 and 4. Here we are on day 5 since the shot and I feel better than the previous 4 days and the shedding has stopped.

But I guess we'll see what the numbers say, I'm going in on what will be day 8 since the shot for follow up blood work to see where I'm at.

I'd really like to get down to twice a week injections though, and would feel more comfortable low dosing it and building up than vice versa. Also unless this was just a fluke with the 300mg shot, I don't need top of range T numbers.
 
Had another follow up today. Took some blood to see where I'm at after the 2nd shot of 300mg. That shot was 8 days ago. I told the doctor it seemed like a little much for the first few days but after that I felt good.

Yesterday and today (day 7 and 8) I really noticed a drop off, felt depressed, just wanted to sleep, and I noticed I was really sensitive emotionally and taking little comments personally.

In light of this my doctor gave me a 200mg shot and my prescription - He said we will do 200mg per week and see what this brings you to in 4 weeks. From reading, that is about the highest TRT dose it seems. I'm ok with this, and if it's too high the blood work will show it in a month.

I already feel 10 times better now 4 hours since the shot. I wonder if I've always been low T because my whole life people said I was too sensitive and took things too personally. Similar to how I felt the last two days. It's crazy how much a small amount of a hormone can affect a person
 
I don't know why I keep questioning my decision to go on TRT, but last night I talked to an acquaintances wife who's is an ND naturopathic Doctor. She said with my high TSH she would try to get that down first and see if that raises my T.

But now I'm kind of already sold on TRT. I slept so deeply for 8 hours last night, and when my alarm went off I was awake. I feel fantastic- and not in a euphoric or high sort of way but more so fantastic because relative to how I was feeling before it's like the light was switched on. I'm cheerful, I smile, I greet people warmly at work, and I don't feel like taking a nap at all times.

Another note, this morning on the way to work there was a gorgeous girl on the train in tight jeans. I was checking her out and to my surprise blood started flowing and all of a sudden I was half mast. This hasn't happened in years! Prior, porn wouldn't even get a reaction- it would take at least a few minutes of physical stimulation.

Can't wait to get back into full on workouts and see how I react. I've only made it to the gym a couple times a week the past few as there has been so much overtime at work, couldn't pass up the money.
 
"I don't know why I keep questioning my decision to go on TRT"

Because it's a huge decision. I'm a newbie as well, and I was in mega denial. Got four blood tests in the span of a month and kept expecting the next one to come back with "normal" t levels. It's tough for some of us to accept, but it sounds like you are on your way to feeling much better.
 
I don't know why I keep questioning my decision to go on TRT
Theres really not a big chance that u would be over 600 natural T, with TRT you can easily be 800 or 900, and remember, the T only declines with age, thats normal.
 
Great points tooth and lenex.

I read it on some blog when researching, can't remember which but the guy said you are out there in the real world competing against guys that have 6,7,800 natural levels. In career, in the gym, with women, in mental sharpness. Why would you not level the playing field!
 
I don't know why I keep questioning my decision to go on TRT, but last night I talked to an acquaintances wife who's is an ND naturopathic Doctor. She said with my high TSH she would try to get that down first and see if that raises my T.

But now I'm kind of already sold on TRT. I slept so deeply for 8 hours last night, and when my alarm went off I was awake. I feel fantastic- and not in a euphoric or high sort of way but more so fantastic because relative to how I was feeling before it's like the light was switched on. I'm cheerful, I smile, I greet people warmly at work, and I don't feel like taking a nap at all times.

Another note, this morning on the way to work there was a gorgeous girl on the train in tight jeans. I was checking her out and to my surprise blood started flowing and all of a sudden I was half mast. This hasn't happened in years! Prior, porn wouldn't even get a reaction- it would take at least a few minutes of physical stimulation.

Can't wait to get back into full on workouts and see how I react. I've only made it to the gym a couple times a week the past few as there has been so much overtime at work, couldn't pass up the money.

1 would be surprised if TRT doesn't bring your TSH down. I'm not one to argue with doctors; okay I am, but thyroid has a far greater impact on free testosterone - as it changes the amount of SHBG present.

Keep it going man, things only get better as time goes on. :)
 
1 would be surprised if TRT doesn't bring your TSH down. I'm not one to argue with doctors; okay I am, but thyroid has a far greater impact on free testosterone - as it changes the amount of SHBG present.

Keep it going man, things only get better as time goes on. :)

Appreciate the encouragement halfwit.

Today I feel even better. I woke up at 8:15am, no alarm, 8.5 hours of deep sleep, and rock hard morning wood.

Hittin the gym now and on the way I was a walking erection from the girls jogging by in tight pants.

I'm in such a positive and content mindset and full of energy. I haven't felt this way in probably 4 years.
 
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Had a fantastic workout. Lifts were up, weights seemed easier and I left feeling amazing as opposed to the usual feeling wrecked.

As a recap I'm in the middle of week 4
Day 0 was 200mg of Test Cyp
2 weeks later 300mg
8 days after this 200mg

From here on out I'm on 200mg per week until blood is drawn in approximately a month.
 
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