Starting TRT Soon-Interested in the Way it Has Played Out for Others

[Hoss91]

As I've noted, you have every reason to be hopeful.

Yes I do. Thanks.

Does anyone else want to share their pre-TRT vs post-TRT experiences?

 

[James]

First year with TRT was pretty horrible. Bad doc combined with me believing eventually I'd feel better as my body "adjusts". It took a lot of educating myself, a complete break from TRT and a completely different approach...today I'm doing great with TRT.

 

[Hoss91]

First year with TRT was pretty horrible. Bad doc combined with me believing eventually I'd feel better as my body "adjusts". It took a lot of educating myself, a complete break from TRT and a completely different approach...today I'm doing great with TRT.

If you don't mind me asking, what went wrong? Too high of a dose?

 

[Vince]

For me, everything went great, I did educate myself before starting. I read five books on TRT, I met with three TRT doctors and two TRT clinics in my area. I was not happy with what they had to say and decided to go with Defy. But remember it's a lifetime commitment.

 

[CoastWatcher]

For me, everything went great, I did educate myself before starting. I read five books on TRT, I met with three TRT doctors and two TRT clinics in my area. I was not happy with what they had to say and decided to go with Defy. But remember it's a lifetime commitment.

I educated myself only as my workup and treatment started. It took me some time to realize how poor my initial care was and make the necessary changes - essentially, a new doctor. I wish I had done what Vince did, immerse myself in the subject before beginning the journey.

 

[Leesto]

I had a rough start even though I read as much as I could before starting and watched a lot of videos. My doctor started me on what seems to be the cookie-cutter approach with once weekly T injection and twice weekly Anastrozole. Fortunately he also added HCG E3.5D. The first two months nothing happened (good or bad). After that I spent a couple months with crashed E2 - which was hellish.

Through my own research and running my own labs I eventually figured it out and dropped the Anastrozole completely. Since then things have been pretty darn good!

At this point I feel much better educated on the subject of TRT than my doctor - at least as to how it affects me specifically and how to manage my own protocol. Most of us here have learned that we have to take a major role in managing our own health. I guess that's easier when you have a doctor or clinic that is on top of TRT but the more you learn and the more you participate in the decision making process the better.

 

[ERO]

I don't feel any better than I did when I had "Low T" and I have tried just about every imaginable protocol tweak over the years. While most guys feel better on TRT it is by no means guaranteed.

 

[Hoss91]

I don't feel any better than I did when I had "Low T" and I have tried just about every imaginable protocol tweak over the years. While most guys feel better on TRT it is by no means guaranteed.

Perhaps low testosterone is a symptom of a larger problem?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Perhaps low testosterone is a symptom of a larger problem?

Im sure he'll add his comments, but ERO is under the care of one of the leading practitioners in this field in the US. He's been tested beyond what most of us can imagine. It's an example of how, with some men, TRT doesn't succeed.

 

[Hoss91]

Im sure he'll add his comments, but ERO is under the care of one of the leading practitioners in this field in the US. He's been tested beyond what most of us can imagine. It's an example of how, with some men, TRT doesn't succeed.

If it is truly low testosterone, and only low testosterone, then biologically it has to work. If it's not, then it leads me to think that there is some other biological mechanism that is inhibiting the exogenous testosterone from working.

Either way, I hope you figure it out ERO.

Edit: Have your testosterone levels got to a normal range?

 

[madman]

If it is truly low testosterone, and only low testosterone, then biologically it has to work. If it's not, then it leads me to think that there is some other biological mechanism that is inhibiting the exogenous testosterone from working.

Either way, I hope you figure it out ERO.


Sure if one injects exogenous testosterone ones levels will increase, to what level depends on many other factors, and as far as experiencing beneficial effects some respond well to trt, some do not and many are always trying to find the perfect balance as it is not only increasing testosterone but a symphony of many other hormones at play!

 

[CoastWatcher]

If it is truly low testosterone, and only low testosterone, then biologically it has to work. If it's not, then it leads me to think that there is some other biological mechanism that is inhibiting the exogenous testosterone from working.

Either way, I hope you figure it out ERO.


Sure if one injects exogenous testosterone ones levels will increase, to what level depends on many other factors, and as far as experiencing beneficial effects some respond well to trt, some do not and many are always trying to find the perfect balance as it is not only increasing testosterone but a symphony of many other hormones at play!

We'll put. For the vast majority of us, it's worth the effort. But it's important to remember it's not a sure thing.

 

[j4ever]

for me it has helped with everything, actually my libido was not to bad before I started, but it did increase it, it also has elevated my mood and energy, I was really interested in starting do to very and I mean very low levels of motivation/drive when it came to training and being active, since I have started that area for me has done a 180, also my joints feel much better.

 

[Vince]

I should also add, the two main things for me, no brain fog and great libido. But TRT affects everyone differently.

 

[ERO]

If it is truly low testosterone, and only low testosterone, then biologically it has to work. If it's not, then it leads me to think that there is some other biological mechanism that is inhibiting the exogenous testosterone from working.

Either way, I hope you figure it out ERO.


Sure if one injects exogenous testosterone ones levels will increase, to what level depends on many other factors, and as far as experiencing beneficial effects some respond well to trt, some do not and many are always trying to find the perfect balance as it is not only increasing testosterone but a symphony of many other hormones at play!

My levels of Total T, Free T and E2 are all in the optimal ranges - they just don't deliver anything that I can feel as improvements. Same with my Thyroid, DHEA-S, etc. On paper, I should feel like superman, but in reality, if not for work I'd take a nap every afternoon like a very old man - and I am 52. Sex and any kind of libido are both memories at this point.

 

[zojo360]

My personal experience so far with TRT has been a life changer. I suffered from low T for so long and didn't realize all the symptoms I had, could have been addressed with a better understanding of the power of the endocrine system. To educate ourselves and listen to our bodies is an understatement. I quickly devoured as much reading as I could once I got started on TRT to understand all that is going on. Everyone will respond differently to TRT and with education, trial & error and patience (which I realized for me was VERY important), you should find what is ideal for you. I'm almost 3 months into my personal protocol and I couldn't be more happy with the results so far. The biggest changes in me are Depression lifted, mental clarity, anger issues subsided, empathy returned, drastically less insomnia, the list goes on. Physical changes are present as well including muscle gains, fat loss, sexual improvements, etc. The only thing I can say that could be better is my libido or desire for sex but compared to where I was prior, this is minimal. I have attributed this to blood tests showing a slightly elavated prolactin level.

 

[Linus]

My personal experience so far with TRT has been a life changer. I suffered from low T for so long and didn't realize all the symptoms I had, could have been addressed with a better understanding of the power of the endocrine system. To educate ourselves and listen to our bodies is an understatement. I quickly devoured as much reading as I could once I got started on TRT to understand all that is going on. Everyone will respond differently to TRT and with education, trial & error and patience (which I realized for me was VERY important), you should find what is ideal for you. I'm almost 3 months into my personal protocol and I couldn't be more happy with the results so far. The biggest changes in me are Depression lifted, mental clarity, anger issues subsided, empathy returned, drastically less insomnia, the list goes on. Physical changes are present as well including muscle gains, fat loss, sexual improvements, etc. The only thing I can say that could be better is my libido or desire for sex but compared to where I was prior, this is minimal. I have attributed this to blood tests showing a slightly elavated prolactin level.

May I ask who your physician is?

 

[zojo360]

I see an endocrinologist in the N.W. suburbs of Chicago. Dr. Rvykin. She did start me on the standard fool protocol of twice monthly injections and I followed that Rx just once. I educated myself and along with this forum, I'm now cruising along at E3.5 day injection dosage. I can only recommend her to get the ball rolling.

 

[Hoss91]

"...To educate ourselves and listen to our bodies is an understatement...The biggest changes in me are Depression lifted, mental clarity, anger issues subsided, empathy returned, drastically less insomnia, the list goes on. Physical changes are present as well including muscle gains, fat loss...."

- Hard to listen to your body when you felt "normal" your whole life

-Those symptoms- if they could be removed, I would be living in a dream world, haha.

Glad to hear it's working out.