Low testosterone

[272BHP]

PArbor1 said:

Which company did you go with in the end?

Judging by his post he has probably self-prescribed.

[272BHP]

pidsy said:

Optimale

Interesting that they let you choose what product and brand to use. I wasn't aware that company had that kind of model.

And my comment wasn't a dig, quite a few experienced guys self-prescribe although that comes with all sorts of other issues I am sure you can imagine.

[popeyewhite]

pidsy said:

Had some initial issues with increased Estrogen but after a series of bloods taken over a couple of months, we worked it out and I’m now settled.....
.....Also on HCG - but that’s very easy to use.

...and will also raise estrogen significantly. If you're taking HCG to keep the boys at a normal size you might want to try enclomephene citrate - does the same job without estrogenic side effects.

[pidsy]

272BHP said:

pidsy said:

Optimale

Interesting that they let you choose what product and brand to use. I wasn't aware that company had that kind of model.

And my comment wasn't a dig, quite a few experienced guys self-prescribe although that comes with all sorts of other issues I am sure you can imagine.

I’m not remotely experienced.

I’m doing as my consultant suggests. I was initially on the Mexican variant as there was a supply shortage for the US. I chose the US after a choice was given at initial consultation - as I assumed it was a superior product.

Dosages are slightly different but bloods are done after each change.

Not taken as a dig at all - it’s an absolute minefield of opinions and misinformation. This thread and the other one on here, along with some other PHers help has proved very worthwhile.

[pidsy]

popeyewhite said:

pidsy said:

Had some initial issues with increased Estrogen but after a series of bloods taken over a couple of months, we worked it out and I’m now settled.....
.....Also on HCG - but that’s very easy to use.

...and will also raise estrogen significantly. If you're taking HCG to keep the boys at a normal size you might want to try enclomephene citrate - does the same job without estrogenic side effects.

I’ve not heard of that - I’ll look into it.

[PArbor1]

Thanks for the recommendation of Optimale, I spoke to one of their doctors today and am extremely happy with the advice and information that they gave me.

So much better than the other companies that I have spoken to!

Their advice is to have the bloods taken at my doctors surgery on the 21st and see what that brings. As I have a Benenden Health plan, I will be able to use that if I have more than three weeks wait for the endocrinologist, I will most likely need a MRI.

Once that is done I can go back to optimale, if my second blood count is under 5, they will need my Dr consent.

[272BHP]

I rarely hear good things about Optimale so it is good that they might be turning things around. Your journey with them will be interesting so I hope you keep us all posted.

With levels as low as yours I would try my best to go for a shared care agreement which should keep costs down. I would not bother with the usual NHS treatment plan though - fight that off as best you can. If you can't then just pay for treatment with the clinic and try and get your GP to do your bloods.

NHS protocol is the equivalent of fitting remoulds
Private is like fitting the best Bridgestone

Best of luck.

[PArbor1]

Thanks, he did say that if my second test was below 5 then I would have to have My doctors consent to proceed.

Who did you go with or would recommend to have treatment with? From reading this thread and the other one, I thought Optimale was one of the better ones?

I haven’t got much faith with the NHS and TRT, although my doctor took it seriously, his knowledge of it is lacking. He said that it would massively increase my risk of prostate cancer and he also said I would probably end up knocking my partner about. I told him that, that was a ridiculous thing to say!

I’ll update when I have my blood results.

[272BHP]

PArbor1 said:

I haven’t got much faith with the NHS and TRT, although my doctor took it seriously, his knowledge of it is lacking. He said that it would massively increase my risk of prostate cancer and he also said I would probably end up knocking my partner about. I told him that, that was a ridiculous thing to say!
.

Most of the guys I talk with are with the Leger Clinic or Men's Health. A few have tried BMH and Optimale but moved over on recommendations to one of the first 2. These clinics have personnel changes all the time so service will differ over time.

The GP probably covered male hormones on a hungover Friday morning as a student and hasn't bothered to read up on it since

[Astacus]

Interesting thread. I am suffering from pretty much exactly the same symptoms as the rest of you and just about to try and get something done. I’ve fallen at the first hurdle in that I have spoken to the Dr who has agreed to do the testosterone blood tests, but has failed, twice so far , to remember to send me the test appointment.

Interested to know whether those who have had the treatment have seen any improvements.
Libido - none
Energy none
Can’t find the right words in the middle of sentences
Utterly exhausted permanently.
Go to sleep at my desk ( fortunately wfh)
Depressed
barely able to function some days

[toohuge]

Astacus said:

Interesting thread. I am suffering from pretty much exactly the same symptoms as the rest of you and just about to try and get something done. I’ve fallen at the first hurdle in that I have spoken to the Dr who has agreed to do the testosterone blood tests, but has failed, twice so far , to remember to send me the test appointment.

Interested to know whether those who have had the treatment have seen any improvements.
Libido - none
Energy none
Can’t find the right words in the middle of sentences
Utterly exhausted permanently.
Go to sleep at my desk ( fortunately wfh)
Depressed
barely able to function some days

I'm by no means an expert, however, it is a double edged sword.

Resolve the depression and you'll likely see an improvement in all the other areas. Unfortunately,. low-t can cause depression too... I went round and round in circles but as I'm early thirties, the dr's were hesitant to place me on trt and recommended resolving my mental health instead.... I feel happier, healthier and with more energy. Still lacking in libido but I'll take this feeling over anything else in the past 15 years of my life.

[andyA700]

toohuge said:

Astacus said:

Interesting thread. I am suffering from pretty much exactly the same symptoms as the rest of you and just about to try and get something done. I’ve fallen at the first hurdle in that I have spoken to the Dr who has agreed to do the testosterone blood tests, but has failed, twice so far , to remember to send me the test appointment.

Interested to know whether those who have had the treatment have seen any improvements.
Libido - none
Energy none
Can’t find the right words in the middle of sentences
Utterly exhausted permanently.
Go to sleep at my desk ( fortunately wfh)
Depressed
barely able to function some days

I'm by no means an expert, however, it is a double edged sword.

Resolve the depression and you'll likely see an improvement in all the other areas. Unfortunately,. low-t can cause depression too... I went round and round in circles but as I'm early thirties, the dr's were hesitant to place me on trt and recommended resolving my mental health instead.... I feel happier, healthier and with more energy. Still lacking in libido but I'll take this feeling over anything else in the past 15 years of my life.

Just a thought, I had all those symptoms back in the nineties, when I was in my mid thirties. I would sleep anywhere, unfortunately I wasn't working from home, so this would mean I was snoozing at work, oversleeping, missing my stop travelling home. The GP prescribed T patches, they didn't work. This went on for five years, until I was a complete basket case - put on thirty kilos, lost my job etc.
Then I was sent for a sleep study and was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, very severe OSA..
I now use a CPAP machine which has seen me gradually lose weight, stop daytime sleeping and generally improved my health.

[Scabutz]

272BHP said:

PArbor1 said:

I haven’t got much faith with the NHS and TRT, although my doctor took it seriously, his knowledge of it is lacking. He said that it would massively increase my risk of prostate cancer and he also said I would probably end up knocking my partner about. I told him that, that was a ridiculous thing to say!
.

Most of the guys I talk with are with the Leger Clinic or Men's Health. A few have tried BMH and Optimale but moved over on recommendations to one of the first 2. These clinics have personnel changes all the time so service will differ over time.

The GP probably covered male hormones on a hungover Friday morning as a student and hasn't bothered to read up on it since

Interesting. My HRT has been pretty good on the NHS. It was a slight challenge getting past the GP. First one was completely dismissive, whereas the second referred me straight to the endo.

I've been on it for 5 years now. I guess the only issue I've had is it's an annual check up and for the first couple of years it took a while to get the dose right. They kept upping the dose and then it was too high so they had to lower it again, then up again.

Wonder if with the private clinics it's more regular and you get to a stable position faster.

[272BHP]

Scabutz said:

Interesting. My HRT has been pretty good on the NHS. It was a slight challenge getting past the GP. First one was completely dismissive, whereas the second referred me straight to the endo.

I've been on it for 5 years now. I guess the only issue I've had is it's an annual check up and for the first couple of years it took a while to get the dose right. They kept upping the dose and then it was too high so they had to lower it again, then up again.

Wonder if with the private clinics it's more regular and you get to a stable position faster.

What are you prescribed may I ask? The private clinics have access to medications that the NHS does not and so can offer a more tailored protocol, crucially, the good ones will also treat your symptoms and not just go by numbers.

The clinics can also prescribe HCG as well, which will keep your balls full and productive which is important for many men. They will also manage E2 and SHBG which the NHS are just not concerned about normally - balance is key.

NHS treatment is rather a blunt tool sadly.

[Legacywr]

272BHP said:

Scabutz said:

Interesting. My HRT has been pretty good on the NHS. It was a slight challenge getting past the GP. First one was completely dismissive, whereas the second referred me straight to the endo.

I've been on it for 5 years now. I guess the only issue I've had is it's an annual check up and for the first couple of years it took a while to get the dose right. They kept upping the dose and then it was too high so they had to lower it again, then up again.

Wonder if with the private clinics it's more regular and you get to a stable position faster.

What are you prescribed may I ask? The private clinics have access to medications that the NHS does not and so can offer a more tailored protocol, crucially, the good ones will also treat your symptoms and not just go by numbers.

The clinics can also prescribe HCG as well, which will keep your balls full and productive which is important for many men. They will also manage E2 and SHBG which the NHS are just not concerned about normally - balance is key.

NHS treatment is rather a blunt tool sadly.

This is interesting, I'm being dealt with well by the NHS (Tostran) but I wouldn't mind the occasional uncontrolable erection?

[Scabutz]

272BHP said:

Scabutz said:

Interesting. My HRT has been pretty good on the NHS. It was a slight challenge getting past the GP. First one was completely dismissive, whereas the second referred me straight to the endo.

I've been on it for 5 years now. I guess the only issue I've had is it's an annual check up and for the first couple of years it took a while to get the dose right. They kept upping the dose and then it was too high so they had to lower it again, then up again.

Wonder if with the private clinics it's more regular and you get to a stable position faster.

What are you prescribed may I ask? The private clinics have access to medications that the NHS does not and so can offer a more tailored protocol, crucially, the good ones will also treat your symptoms and not just go by numbers.

The clinics can also prescribe HCG as well, which will keep your balls full and productive which is important for many men. They will also manage E2 and SHBG which the NHS are just not concerned about normally - balance is key.

NHS treatment is rather a blunt tool sadly.

I'm on Testogel. Used to be sachets, now a pump. I was offered an injection but part of my symptoms were mental and I seem to react to dose changes so was put off by the large dose from an injection.

I have two teenage kids and will never want .ore so not bothered about the state of my knackers. They are visibly smaller than they used to be though.

What is HCG and is that something I should be concerned with?

[272BHP]

Scabutz said:

What is HCG and is that something I should be concerned with?

Without getting technical it is an injectable compound that keeps the balls working. Some guys do great on it and have a feeling of well being (along with reversing any shrinkage). With others it makes Testosterone rise further and E2 with it so it is very individual.

Extra faff and extra financial cost of course.

[PArbor1]

I had my bloods taken at the doctors this morning, I’ll update with the results when I get them.

[Chris Stott]

Astacus said:

Interesting thread. I am suffering from pretty much exactly the same symptoms as the rest of you and just about to try and get something done. I’ve fallen at the first hurdle in that I have spoken to the Dr who has agreed to do the testosterone blood tests, but has failed, twice so far , to remember to send me the test appointment.

Interested to know whether those who have had the treatment have seen any improvements.
Libido - none
Energy none
Can’t find the right words in the middle of sentences
Utterly exhausted permanently.
Go to sleep at my desk ( fortunately wfh)
Depressed
barely able to function some days

I had all those symptoms… turned out to be hypothyroidism.

[Legacywr]

Thinking of biting the bullet with the Leger clinic, purely for sexual performance improvements, but will I get any?

I’ve been on Tostran for the last 5 years, and everything else in my life is fine.

I obviously don’t want to stump up £195 at not get any benefit?