Low testosterone
Discussion
The potential for mission creep and thus risks to health are a real danger for sure in this area.
Someone might start TRT and feel great with decent levels and then might think 'well what if put in 10% more' or 20% more? And as popeyewhite outlines above there are also lots of other stuff you could be tempted with on your journey.
Any additions over and above basic TRT introduces an element of risk, these risks increase with extended periods on any additional stuff and also the older we get.
Someone might start TRT and feel great with decent levels and then might think 'well what if put in 10% more' or 20% more? And as popeyewhite outlines above there are also lots of other stuff you could be tempted with on your journey.
Any additions over and above basic TRT introduces an element of risk, these risks increase with extended periods on any additional stuff and also the older we get.
272BHP said:
Someone might start TRT and feel great with decent levels and then might think 'well what if put in 10% more' or 20% more? And as popeyewhite outlines above there are also lots of other stuff you could be tempted with on your journey.
That's what I did when I first started TRT - I wanted to see what would happen if I took more, so I did, but I found it just made me inflate like a water balloon and gave no other benefit (I don't do weight lifting). Since then I've gradually reduced my dose to a point where I'm only taking about 1/3 of the amount originally prescribed by the Doctor. My T blood levels are now slap bang in the middle of 'normal'. Personally I feel more inclined to use the lowest dose to get the therapeutic benefits.cqueen said:
272BHP said:
Someone might start TRT and feel great with decent levels and then might think 'well what if put in 10% more' or 20% more? And as popeyewhite outlines above there are also lots of other stuff you could be tempted with on your journey.
That's what I did when I first started TRT - I wanted to see what would happen if I took more, so I did, but I found it just made me inflate like a water balloon and gave no other benefit (I don't do weight lifting). Since then I've gradually reduced my dose to a point where I'm only taking about 1/3 of the amount originally prescribed by the Doctor. My T blood levels are now slap bang in the middle of 'normal'. Personally I feel more inclined to use the lowest dose to get the therapeutic benefits.I'm on a bit of a mission creep myself
I think I posted in this thread back in August last year when I had my testosterone checked by GP (at my request). Back then it was 9.0 nmol/L, which GP initially said was normal, but when I pushed him on it he agreed to a retest in 6 months. Just had that retest result and this time it's come back as 18.2. Surprised it's that much different to before, and now seems to be well in the normal range? Does that mean that my T levels are all fine and GP will say no further action/testing required on that front?
Only thing that was different was that this latest blood sample was given first thing in the morning and the 9.0 one was from a sample late afternoon. Not sure the time of day fluctuations would explain such a difference though?
Only thing that was different was that this latest blood sample was given first thing in the morning and the 9.0 one was from a sample late afternoon. Not sure the time of day fluctuations would explain such a difference though?
mjb1 said:
I think I posted in this thread back in August last year when I had my testosterone checked by GP (at my request). Back then it was 9.0 nmol/L, which GP initially said was normal, but when I pushed him on it he agreed to a retest in 6 months. Just had that retest result and this time it's come back as 18.2. Surprised it's that much different to before, and now seems to be well in the normal range? Does that mean that my T levels are all fine and GP will say no further action/testing required on that front?
Only thing that was different was that this latest blood sample was given first thing in the morning and the 9.0 one was from a sample late afternoon. Not sure the time of day fluctuations would explain such a difference though?
Indeed it would.Only thing that was different was that this latest blood sample was given first thing in the morning and the 9.0 one was from a sample late afternoon. Not sure the time of day fluctuations would explain such a difference though?
T is normally at its highest level first thing in morning. The fluctuation during the day can be quite pronounced.
Always test in the morning, preferably before 9am.
StreetDragster said:
The advice i have for my TRT monitoring blood tests is well hydrated, first thing in the morning, fasted, prior to any injections.
For someone on TRT the need for morning testing is not quite so important as blood levels work quite differently once exogenous testosterone is used. Once someone is on a protocol then testosterone levels are much more subject to injection frequency rather than diurnal rhythm.But comprehensive TRT monitoring is about much more than just testosterone levels so it makes sense to be fasted, hydrated, rested and to get the bloods taken first thing in the morning.
Beginning my investigations into this. Over the last 5 years (since I turned 30) or so i've noticed basically all the symptoms of low T, and in the last year or so it's got particularly worse. Most debilitating is general fatigue, waking up in the morning and feeling like I've not slept for a month and mental fog throughout the day. At times depression which in turn has a knock on impact to my wife. When I look back on my work quality and output throughout my 20s, I really think I've had a sharp decline although others may disagree. Generally I've felt for the last few years I've just become lazy and have become quite disappointed in myself really.
I've tried the normal things to try and help, I eat extremely healthily, track macros and calories etc rarely drink and generally eat whole real food, very little processed etc. I've trained in one form or another daily for about 2 years (FWIW 150KG S, 130KG B, 195KG D), but don't look like I train as I can't shift the fat. I've spoken to nutrionists for diet advice and even when cutting I carry a lot of fat on my stomach.
Enough waffling, bit the bullet after a really bad week last week.
First test results come back:
Free Test 0.198
SHBG 18
Test 7.66
I don't really know what to take from that other than it seems to sit on the low end so need to progress next test, but it seems to give me a little comfort.
I've tried the normal things to try and help, I eat extremely healthily, track macros and calories etc rarely drink and generally eat whole real food, very little processed etc. I've trained in one form or another daily for about 2 years (FWIW 150KG S, 130KG B, 195KG D), but don't look like I train as I can't shift the fat. I've spoken to nutrionists for diet advice and even when cutting I carry a lot of fat on my stomach.
Enough waffling, bit the bullet after a really bad week last week.
First test results come back:
Free Test 0.198
SHBG 18
Test 7.66
I don't really know what to take from that other than it seems to sit on the low end so need to progress next test, but it seems to give me a little comfort.
Legacywr said:
Has anybody used Testavan gel?
I was initially prescribed Tostran gel then Testogel both the same thing and I assume same as TestavanIt did f
k all for me - Some don't absorb it well, some get great resultsI've got about 2 years supply of Testogel in a box under my bed never used it
lord trumpton said:
Legacywr said:
Has anybody used Testavan gel?
I was initially prescribed Tostran gel then Testogel both the same thing and I assume same as TestavanIt did f
k all for me - Some don't absorb it well, some get great resultsI've got about 2 years supply of Testogel in a box under my bed never used it
k all? I ask, because as a long term user, I often wonder if I've hit a tolerance and it's not 'working' as good as it used to.xx99xx said:
How long did you use it for before deciding it does fk all? I ask, because as a long term user, I often wonder if I've hit a tolerance and it's not 'working' as good as it used to.
Are you not still having regular blood tests? k all? I ask, because as a long term user, I often wonder if I've hit a tolerance and it's not 'working' as good as it used to.Also i don't mean to teach granny to suck eggs here, but how you apply it makes a huge difference.
Over time I got a bit lazy with applying Testogel to my thighs, ended up just rubbing up and down a couple of times, vic & bob style. Just changing to completely rubbing it in all round the thigh until it's completely dried raised my T level by around a third without increasing the number of dollops.
budgie smuggler said:
xx99xx said:
How long did you use it for before deciding it does fk all? I ask, because as a long term user, I often wonder if I've hit a tolerance and it's not 'working' as good as it used to.
Are you not still having regular blood tests? k all? I ask, because as a long term user, I often wonder if I've hit a tolerance and it's not 'working' as good as it used to.Also i don't mean to teach granny to suck eggs here, but how you apply it makes a huge difference.
Over time I got a bit lazy with applying Testogel to my thighs, ended up just rubbing up and down a couple of times, vic & bob style. Just changing to completely rubbing it in all round the thigh until it's completely dried raised my T level by around a third without increasing the number of dollops.
272BHP said:
simonwhite2000 said:
The NHS have all but washed their hands of me now. Any recommendations for private blood tests? Plenty of places pop up on Facebook and the like but much prefer to know somewhere that people have had a good experience with.
Discussed a page back.I think I am suffering with low testosterone but there are contradictions.
My libido is reduced, erectile function is reduced, penile sensation is reduced, I have suddenly developed aches and pains and I feel quite flat a lot of the time. My balls are smaller and more mushy than they were.
But I have a good beard and I need to trim it regularly. Ditto pubic hair.
My test readings have never been high. I think 14.7 was the highest, but until recently my libido and sexual function were very good. Currently I obtain an erection okay but it flags, as does my interest in the task at hand, as it were.
I am 60 by the way.
Does this sound like a testosterone problem and, if so, should I head back to the GP?
My libido is reduced, erectile function is reduced, penile sensation is reduced, I have suddenly developed aches and pains and I feel quite flat a lot of the time. My balls are smaller and more mushy than they were.
But I have a good beard and I need to trim it regularly. Ditto pubic hair.
My test readings have never been high. I think 14.7 was the highest, but until recently my libido and sexual function were very good. Currently I obtain an erection okay but it flags, as does my interest in the task at hand, as it were.
I am 60 by the way.
Does this sound like a testosterone problem and, if so, should I head back to the GP?
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