Low testosterone

[xx99xx]

budgie smuggler said:

Nickbrapp said:

The level is 35.3, a normal range is 12-29

What's the source of this range mate?

I'm on 4 pumps of testogel and my nmol of test is 11.5. I was told by the consultant this was "fine" I was told that 7.5 (when i was on 2 pumps) was also "fine".

I asked about injections instead of gel since it makes me itch, and was told i would need to have to done monthly in the GP surgery since it's a deep injection. Is anyone else on that path of treatment through the NHS and confirm? Getting a monthly appointment would be nightmarish and I really cant be arsed.

I assumed that to be the reference range from the lab that's quoted on the test results.

It's crazy that a 'normal' range, in terms of deciding whether to treat symptoms, is based on the averages of each individual lab. GPs need to start using some nationally consistent criteria instead of making treatment a postcode lottery. That guidance already exists but GPs don't use it.

[Scabutz]

budgie smuggler said:

PS to those who are on Testogel, how many pumps a day are you on?

I was on 3. But T was quite high in the range and hemoglobin count was high so this was reduced to 2. Last check up T was quite low in the range again but the other stuff had improved

[xx99xx]

Scabutz said:

budgie smuggler said:

PS to those who are on Testogel, how many pumps a day are you on?

I was on 3. But T was quite high in the range and hemoglobin count was high so this was reduced to 2. Last check up T was quite low in the range again but the other stuff had improved

I vary mine from zero to 4 or 5.

I'm not being monitored by anyone so I kind of monitor myself based on how I'm feeling. It's prescribed through my GP, not bought from some dodgy steroid website with bitcoins!

[Scabutz]

xx99xx said:

I vary mine from zero to 4 or 5.

I'm not being monitored by anyone so I kind of monitor myself based on how I'm feeling. It's prescribed through my GP, not bought from some dodgy steroid website with bitcoins!

Dont the GP ever want blood tests? I see the endo once a year, they do full bloods and update my GP. But the repeat prescription system sts the bed every month saying it cant be issued until you have blood tests done. I have to send them a message saying as I have told you 10 million times that is handled by the hospital

[Legacywr]

budgie smuggler said:

What's the source of this range mate?

I'm on 4 pumps of testogel and my nmol of test is 11.5. I was told by the consultant this was "fine" I was told that 7.5 (when i was on 2 pumps) was also "fine".

I asked about injections instead of gel since it makes me itch, and was told i would need to have to done monthly in the GP surgery since it's a deep injection. Is anyone else on that path of treatment through the NHS and confirm? Getting a monthly appointment would be nightmarish and I really cant be arsed.

You’ll be doing well if you can get the nebido injection once a month, the guidelines are every 3 months AFAIK.

I was on Testogel, it made me feel crap, got switched to Tostran, and that was much better.

I’ll post further about my journey a little later.

[xx99xx]

Scabutz said:

Dont the GP ever want blood tests? I see the endo once a year, they do full bloods and update my GP. But the repeat prescription system sts the bed every month saying it cant be issued until you have blood tests done. I have to send them a message saying as I have told you 10 million times that is handled by the hospital

Nope. They tend to agree to do a blood test once a year if I ask them but if I don't ask them I don't hear anything. Actually this year, for the first time ever, they contacted me to review my repeat prescription. But that ended up to be a 2 minute phone call with a pharmacist (not sure why not a GP). I suspect that was more of a money saving thing to see if I still needed it.

The only time I had problems with the prescription was when testogel went from sachets to the bottles. Pharmacy couldn't get hold of sachets (because they'd stopped making them) so asked me to get GP to change the prescription to the bottles. Bottles weren't on the GP system so there was all sorts of confusion.

I can understand if there are crossed wires between hospital/consultant and a GP though.

[Nickbrapp]

budgie smuggler said:

Nickbrapp said:

The level is 35.3, a normal range is 12-29

What's the source of this range mate?

I'm on 4 pumps of testogel and my nmol of test is 11.5. I was told by the consultant this was "fine" I was told that 7.5 (when i was on 2 pumps) was also "fine".

I asked about injections instead of gel since it makes me itch, and was told i would need to have to done monthly in the GP surgery since it's a deep injection. Is anyone else on that path of treatment through the NHS and confirm? Getting a monthly appointment would be nightmarish and I really cant be arsed.

That was the result range that numan gave me, I would recommend one of their blood tests, really good

[budgie smuggler]

Legacywr said:

You’ll be doing well if you can get the nebido injection once a month, the guidelines are every 3 months AFAIK.

I was on Testogel, it made me feel crap, got switched to Tostran, and that was much better.

I’ll post further about my journey a little later.

Ah, I most likely misheard the frequency then (phone consultation, and the guy has a strong accent and talks at 200mph).

Nickbrapp said:

That was the result range that numan gave me, I would recommend one of their blood tests, really good

Thanks Nick

[Alrey87]

PArbor1 said:

So, today was the day that I finally started treatment for testosterone deficiency at the Mens Health Clinic.

My protocol is 12.5mg/0.1ml testosterone Cypionate, 1000iu/0.1ml HCG and 5mg Tadalafil.

Injection wise, I was really surprised that I didn’t feel either of the injections but I will have to see how it goes injecting myself on my own in the morning.

I’ll try and keep you up dated on progress etc and how I’m finding things.

The MHC are a really friendly bunch, and I’d recommend anyone suffering from low test symptoms to get in contact and heed the advice throughout this thread and just don’t bother with the NHS. I thought my Dr was understanding but in reality, it waisted time and I could have been six months in now.

Cheers Dr stevens ??

Hope you mean 100iu hcg?? I’m sure you do. This is the path anyone on this thread should take. Personally took matters in my own hands and have a very similar protocol to that above. Sit at round 28nmol total T now and mostly feel good with the odd estrogen related swing. The fatter you are the more you convert T to E so it’s motivation to stay lean. The cialis also acts as an estrogen modulator for those who have very minor increases in it.

[lord trumpton]

WHat sort of side effects have any of you guys had?

Any weight gain, water retention or spots etc?

[PArbor1]

The headaches have worn off, the insomnia is lessened but I feel like I e been kicked by a horse and run over by a bus!

I’m extremely supprised how painless and easy it is to inject.

[Alrey87]

PArbor1 said:

The headaches have worn off, the insomnia is lessened but I feel like I e been kicked by a horse and run over by a bus!

I’m extremely supprised how painless and easy it is to inject.

Insomnia and overstimulation normally means the dose is too high for you, however takes 6 weeks to settle and have any idea. If it’s too high your resting heart rate will likely be elevated from baseline. You’re in the right hands to get it all adjusted properly though.

[Legacywr]

lord trumpton said:

WHat sort of side effects have any of you guys had?

Any weight gain, water retention or spots etc?

I do seem to be getting a few spots on my scalp, but do shave my head, but, I also seem to be cutting myself more now??

My sweat smells different, sweeter.

Side effects of T? Possibly?

[Legacywr]

Have any of you started working out since starting your supplements?

[PArbor1]

No, not yet. I feel better in my self but my kidneys still feel like they have been stamped on.

Can’t wait to get back to the gym and a ride each day before work next week.

[PArbor1]

My brain now feels like it’s been switched on, which is good.

[Don Roque]

Did any of you low-Test guys try lifting some weights, eating more red meat or anything before you started taking all these drugs? I can only think it might have helped.

[PArbor1]

Don Roque said:

Did any of you low-Test guys try lifting some weights, eating more red meat or anything before you started taking all these drugs? I can only think it might have helped.

I was in the gym 4 times a week, lifting and my testosterone level was 3.8. It was on my PTs advice that I had bolds done.

[Legacywr]

Don Roque said:

Did any of you low-Test guys try lifting some weights, eating more red meat or anything before you started taking all these drugs? I can only think it might have helped.

You’d be extremely lucky see any gains through the methods you describe, obviously they can help if your testosterone is healthy already, which generally isn’t the people posting on here.

[Scabutz]

Legacywr said:

Don Roque said:

Did any of you low-Test guys try lifting some weights, eating more red meat or anything before you started taking all these drugs? I can only think it might have helped.

You’d be extremely lucky see any gains through the methods you describe, obviously they can help if your testosterone is healthy already, which generally isn’t the people posting on here.

Yep. I already posted the discussion I had with my endo on this. If everything works as expected then yes you can potentially improve your numbers, but if its not working then artificial T is the only way.