My journey so far with low testosterone.

[CSI007]

So I just injected end of week 5.

This time next week I will be ending week 6 and will be getting some blood work done before injecting. Total T, Free T, E2 Sensitive and SHBG.

Still gaining weight but the holidays and have been brutal. To many temptations this year. Trying my best to behave.

My youngest son and I got the weight bench out and I have been doing light weights. Bench presses and french curls. Feels really good. Tonight was night 2 and iI broke a sweat but really not pushing it weight wise.

Libido is still doing well. Erections are pretty good too without the Cialis. I can honestly say there is a marked improvement here. I hope it continues and improves just a tad bit more. Sensitivity just a bit better but I feel like it has a long way to go to be back to normal. Energy levels are very good. No more falling asleep mid afternoon. Drive to do things is much better. Mood good too.

 

[CSI007]

Wanted to throw this into my thread too. We have discussed this in the past but here is proof positive. And this is just nuts! I sure hope it comes back off. Yesterday I gained over a lb of weight. I drank a TON of water and hardly peed any of it out. Before TRT I would be like a running faucet when I drank a lot of water.

 

[Vince]

When I first started TRT, my hunger did increase and I gained a few pounds, it was less than 5lb.s. I'm back to my original weight and have gained muscle. Personally I don't believe I ever gained water weight.

 

[johndoesmith]

Wanted to throw this into my thread too. We have discussed this in the past but here is proof positive. And this is just nuts! I sure hope it comes back off. Yesterday I gained over a lb of weight. I drank a TON of water and hardly peed any of it out. Before TRT I would be like a running faucet when I drank a lot of water.


View attachment 2939

So you've gained 7.5 lbs in your first month of TRT?

Stop obsessing over it, lol. It's not a big deal, and the only way to stop it, is to stop TRT. It's mostly water weight, glycogen, and some fat. Maybe a tiny bit of muscle but I doubt it.

It's not a big deal, like you said, you can actually retain water now. 1 gallon of water is 8lbs. You're going to gain more weight probably, but think about it like this, now that you're at testosterone levels you should be at, so is your weight. It's where you would have been if you were eugonadal.

After a while the weight will stop, and possibly even go down due to fat loss, but it's entirely possible that you recomposition so that you weigh more, but have more lean body mass, you'll notice this in your size, waist will decrease, shirt sleeves will be tighter, and weight will remain. You may end up cutting a new belt loop or not really liking the way your clothes fit anymore.

For the first time in my life, I had to buy a suit, and the pants were really really tight around my mid thigh. I've never had trouble with getting pants to fit around my chicken legs, I've been thin my entire life, 5'8 130bs at 18, now I'm 5'8 160lbs? No matter what I could never gain weight.

 

[CSI007]

Just gave myself the end of week 6 dose of HCG and T-Cyp. Got tested this morning So Monday begins week 7. Curious to see what my numbers look like.

Some observations. My nipples are hard from time to time. Especially when cold i.e. take my shirt off and they perk right up. Some pain when my shirt rubs across them putting on or taking off. I read that this is likely normal and not a cause for concern. Been years since they really did much of anything. Often times inverted a bit (maybe because of my weight).

Should know in a few days if 50mg twice a week is enough. Also tested for SBGH for the first time (so I have no baseline) but curious to see what that looks like. Did not test any other blood values. I hope that the others can wait a few more months.

Overall I feel really good except for this cold I am fighting at the moment. Clear head, good mood and my energy level is about the best it's been in a long time. Libido is still doing very good too. Hope I continue to see improvements and that my T is actually raised now! The only complaint that I can honestly say I have right now is penile sensitivity. It's only marginally better and seems that some days are better then others.

Will report when I get the blood work back.

 

[johndoesmith]

Just gave myself the end of week 6 dose of HCG and T-Cyp. Got tested this morning So Monday begins week 7. Curious to see what my numbers look like.

Some observations. My nipples are hard from time to time. Especially when cold i.e. take my shirt off and they perk right up. Some pain when my shirt rubs across them putting on or taking off. I read that this is likely normal and not a cause for concern. Been years since they really did much of anything. Often times inverted a bit (maybe because of my weight).

Should know in a few days if 50mg twice a week is enough. Also tested for SBGH for the first time (so I have no baseline) but curious to see what that looks like. Did not test any other blood values. I hope that the others can wait a few more months.

Overall I feel really good except for this cold I am fighting at the moment. Clear head, good mood and my energy level is about the best it's been in a long time. Libido is still doing very good too. Hope I continue to see improvements and that my T is actually raised now! The only complaint that I can honestly say I have right now is penile sensitivity. It's only marginally better and seems that some days are better then others.

Will report when I get the blood work back.

What tests did you order?

Sounds like you're moving in the right direction. Week 7 is around when things may be changing. Keep in mind, that you may not notice things, but others will.

I specifically didn't tell anyone I started TRT so that I could get feedback without planting a "seed" in their minds.

 

[CSI007]

Total T, Free T, SHBG and E2

 

[CoastWatcher]

Total T, Free T, SHBG and E2

Now CBC or CMP? Was a PSA run prior to treatment?

 

[CSI007]

Now CBC or CMP? Was a PSA run prior to treatment?

Not this go around. If you look at my previous blood work from august you will see my PSA was at .7 Back in early January it was at .5 (prior to any outside intervention) And has been steady at .7 most of this year.

I figure that the next round of blood work I will get the CBC, CMP and PSA done...That is of course if my testosterone is actually going in the right direction.

 

[CSI007]

OK folks. Let me know what you think. My E2 is still on the low side perhaps? But maybe this is a good thing. Once again, this was taken Thursday morning the day of my shot (which I take in the evening.) so while not right before the shot its just a few hours before hand.

Current Dosage: 50mg (25iu) twice per week with 500iu HCG the same day.

Incidentally, after getting over a cold. Today (after shot yesterday to start week 7) I have muscle and joint pain, headache etc. I am wondering if I am getting the flu or is it hormone related? Probably unrelated. Before this I have been feeling great overall.

 

[johndoesmith]

OK folks. Let me know what you think. My E2 is still on the low side perhaps? But maybe this is a good thing. Once again, this was taken Thursday morning the day of my shot (which I take in the evening.) so while not right before the shot its just a few hours before hand.

Current Dosage: 50mg (25iu) twice per week with 500iu HCG the same day.

Incidentally, after getting over a cold. Today (after shot yesterday to start week 7) I have muscle and joint pain, headache etc. I am wondering if I am getting the flu or is it hormone related? Probably unrelated. Before this I have been feeling great overall.

View attachment 2983

You don't take AI, correct? Any supplements? Possibly more recently, like zinc or something for your cold? Nicotine?

E2 is pretty low for your total and free testosterone, but I don't necessarily think your joint pain is from low E2. Especially with the cold symptoms, often with muscle pain comes joint pain from being sick.

I don't think you had those a week or so before getting a cold?

I thought my aromatization rate was low, but yours is even lower! I'm about 914 total 29 E2 same tests as you. So T/E2 ratio of 30 where yours is 44 or so.

 

[CSI007]

No AI. The only cold meds I was taking I stopped the middle of last week and it was a natural product called Umcka. Works great BTW! Does not contain zinc.

The only supplements I take are daily ***** multi vitamin, 3000iu of vit D oral and my thyroid supplement.

This joint pain came on suddenly last night and feels different then previous pain likely caused by low E2 (below 10). This feels more like the flu starting. We'll see.

So how does the SHBG look? Not terrible low I guess based on what some people have had to deal with.

With my T being at 800 in the trough, what do you think it is at peak? Seems to me that both the free T and total T are pretty much right where I would want them?

I guess no way to get the E2 up higher short of more T?

 

[Vince Carter]

You can get some E2 by using some cheap OTC DHEA you can buy at walmart, start with 10mg (cut the tablet). That method is known to get some aromatization on first pass thru the liver.

I think all your other numbers look really good and you're on a minimal TRT dose of 100mg, too.

 

[CSI007]

You can get some E2 by using some cheap OTC DHEA you can buy at walmart, start with 10mg (cut the tablet). That method is known to get some aromatization on first pass thru the liver.

I think all your other numbers look really good and you're on a minimal TRT dose of 100mg, too.

Thanks, I will check that out. I have seen it mentioned here before but didn't know what it was used for.

 

[CSI007]

I guess this is a perfect example of why a Doctor should never prescribe an an AI right out of the gate.

 

[CSI007]

Quick update. Finishing up week 9 on 100MG T Cyp.

I have not taken the DHEA yet. I stoppe by walmart and they only had it at like 50 or 100mg I think. But decided not to add it just yet since I am testing out the tadalafil and didn't want to through another thing into the mix just yet.

Libido right now is raging again. At least as good as week 2. Mood is decent. Memory goes back and forth. Energy has kinda sucked recently but I think the extreme low carb diet I am back on since the holidays is taking a toll. I may have to revisit my diet plan and develop something that works better without kicking my butt.

I have lost 4lbs so far. I actually lost about 6 in a week! But gained 2 back from a crappy weekend of carbs.

As I get the tadalfil dialed in I think that 7.5 to 10mg is doing the trick for me now. I can't keep my hands off my wife. I feel like I am 20 again in that department. I am experiencing some sides from the Cialis though. Past 2 days with increased dosage I am getting some heartburn and I feel flush.

Has anyone successfully "cured" ED issues with increased T? I have read mixed things about this, some say it does work others say it doesn't. Any consensus or studies out there?

So in closing, I would say that the most obvious benefit that I have noticed is my libido. Which prior to starting this was down right terrible. Now it is pretty amazing. My general mood and motivation is also good which before was terrible as well.

 

[Vince]

Are you using MCT oil? MCT is good for energy. It also is good for converting someone from a sugar burner to a fat burner.
Start slow (.5 tsp) and work my way up.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Quick update. Finishing up week 9 on 100MG T Cyp.

I have not taken the DHEA yet. I stoppe by walmart and they only had it at like 50 or 100mg I think. But decided not to add it just yet since I am testing out the tadalafil and didn't want to through another thing into the mix just yet.

Libido right now is raging again. At least as good as week 2. Mood is decent. Memory goes back and forth. Energy has kinda sucked recently but I think the extreme low carb diet I am back on since the holidays is taking a toll. I may have to revisit my diet plan and develop something that works better without kicking my butt.

I have lost 4lbs so far. I actually lost about 6 in a week! But gained 2 back from a crappy weekend of carbs.

As I get the tadalfil dialed in I think that 7.5 to 10mg is doing the trick for me now. I can't keep my hands off my wife. I feel like I am 20 again in that department. I am experiencing some sides from the Cialis though. Past 2 days with increased dosage I am getting some heartburn and I feel flush.

Has anyone successfully "cured" ED issues with increased T? I have read mixed things about this, some say it does work others say it doesn't. Any consensus or studies out there?

So in closing, I would say that the most obvious benefit that I have noticed is my libido. Which prior to starting this was down right terrible. Now it is pretty amazing. My general mood and motivation is also good which before was terrible as well.

To ask if testosterone "works" to "cure" erectile issues is the wrong question, I believe. In the vast majority of cases, here at EM, restored levels of testosterone have certainly improved erectile function. It would be fair to say, though, that lingering challenges remain for a great many of us, challenges met with various strategies - successfully.

 

[CSI007]

Are you using MCT oil? MCT is good for energy. It also is good for converting someone from a sugar burner to a fat burner.
Start slow (.5 tsp) and work my way up.

I am not. I will look into it. I do use organic coconut oil from time to time. I used to eat about a tablespoon of it each morning.

 

[CSI007]

To ask if testosterone "works" to "cure" erectile issues is the wrong question, I believe. In the vast majority of cases, here at EM, restored levels of testosterone have certainly improved erectile function. It would be fair to say, though, that lingering challenges remain for a great many of us, challenges met with various strategies - successfully.

That's exactly what I was looking for. That's why I had "cured" in quotations. I am really curious if the low T is the root cause for many or is it a combination of factors. I would think that someone in their 20s and 30s having ED would be less prone to vascular issues then someone in their 50s and 60s.

I know that low E2 or high E2 seems to play a significant role in ED. But for someone like me who has a hard time producing E2 from T - I must have had lower E2 levels and no ED at all. It's all baffling to me. Seems like maybe my issue would be a result of low androgens perhaps causing physical damage to tissue that could perhaps be, at least partially, restored after many months (years?) of restored T levels.