Thank you all for answering, I cleared up a few things. About 6 years ago I did two tests. In one the TT was just over 400ng/dl, in the other it was slightly above 500ng/dl. They are the only data I remember and I can't find the analysis. The specialist told me that I was in range and prescribed cialis. By the way, I also remember that my thyroid was perfect.
Right now I feel more or less the same as then, perhaps slightly better thanks to the fact that my work is more physical and I am fitter, and that I supplement better. I take zinc and creatine regularly, and occasionally magnesium, tribulus, ginseng and vitamin D. I am also starting to take boron.
From the zinc, creatine, magnesium and tribulus I see a small improvement in my libido and erections. From ginseng sometimes I have noticed it and other times not. I have never noticed anything from taking vitamin D.
In any case, I have to do an analysis.
As I was saying, according to the specialist at the time, based on my symptoms and the test data, I don't have ED, let alone need TRT. What's more, maybe a lot of people who are on TRT would want to be like I am now. Others are sure much better.
However, I do not claim to be faithful to a medical consensus, which will probably change over time. I intend to live with the best quality of life possible. If I could improve my libido and erections with exogenous testosterone, sustainably over time, I would.
Today I am in the learning process. Before making a decision I have to carefully weigh the risks and possible benefits.
My problems are:
Libido: Regular (it seems to be within the normal range for my age)
Erections: Regular (it seems that they are within the normal range for my age)
But on the other hand:
-Dream: Good.
-Mood: Good.
-Concentration: Good.
-Energy: Good.
If I go on TRT it could improve my libido and my erections, but they could also get worse. Plus it could make everything I have good worse. So even if I'm sure I currently have low testosterone, going on TRT is something I have to think about a lot.
The most disturbing thing about the TRT issue is that no one seems to understand libido. From what I've read on this forum and elsewhere, after starting TRT there comes a honeymoon period when everything is wonderful, lasting for weeks or months. Once the honeymoon is over, life is no longer wonderful, in any case the sensations can be good, but also bad or even very bad. It seems to occur with all protocols, even when all the variables measured in the analyzes appear optimized.
I can't ask a specialist how to keep the honeymoon indefinitely, because he doesn't know how to do it.
From what I have read in this forum there are certain patterns that do not always occur, but do occur very frequently:
-Starting a TRT protocol raises libido.
-Starting to take HCG raises libido.
-When a protocol that initially worked stops working, interrupting it raises libido.
-Increasing the dose of T in a TRT protocol that initially worked but stopped working increases libido.
-Lowering the dose of T in a TRT protocol that initially worked but stopped working increases libido.
-When you take HCG regularly and after having lost your libido you stop taking it, this raises your libido.
-Prop T, with its peaks and valleys in the same day, has a greater effect on libido than other longer esters.
For some reason, protocol changes, dose changes, ester changes, peaks and valleys, and occasional breaks improve libido, or at least many times it is. Perhaps for a protocol to be successful in the long term, it has to incorporate the variable change, of dose, of ester, incorporate the peaks and valleys in the same day with prop T, perhaps changing the brand of T will help. Obviously I don't know, but these are patterns I see when I read to you.
I also see that it is normal to take weekly doses of testosterone equal to or greater than those of a vigorous twenty-something (100mg/week or more). Perhaps this is not a good idea, perhaps not all bodies can take advantage of these doses in the long term. Most TRT users are not young.
Go ahead, I am ignorant on this subject, if today I start taking exogenous testosterone I would start with taking 1mg, only one milligram, of a mixture of prop T and another longer ester, and see if I notice anything. If all goes well little by little I would increase the dose and frequency. I would have my sights set on a protocol of daily subcutaneous injections with a weekly intake of much less than 100mg/week that would incorporate changing all of the above, ester, dosage, daily peaks and troughs (part of the testosterone would be propionate) and perhaps also T's brand
Of course any knowledge or experience regarding what has been said is welcome.
greetings to Spain my fav EU country (I'm from DE).
Deutschland, interesting country!
