Thinking about starting trt

[Tgk_143]

Hey guys. I want to get your opinion on weather it would be appropriate to start trt.
I'm a 35 year old male with a total T level of 419 and a free T level of 280. My GP says that I'm normal and that he will not prescribe any testosterone. However I have been researching trt clinics near me and I reside in the Edmonton Alberta Canada area. I will be scheduling an appointment soon.

The problems I'm having is a dead libido I have to force myself to get it up for my wife, even alone in the bedroom I can barely get it up, viagra works but gives me bad side effects I cannot continue to take it. I'm quite tired all the time as well.

I workout 4-6 days a week, it has been finally helping with energy levels however not my libido at all, I eat clean and healthy everyday except for one day a week which is Fridays I will have a pizza or whatever, somewhat like a cheat day I suppose.

I really really need to get this libido thing under control, in my early to mid 20s it was crazy high and now non existant it sucks. So any opinions would be awesome. Thanks.

 

[Systemlord]

I workout 4-6 days a week, it has been finally helping with energy levels however not my libido at all,

It sounds like you've made a valiant effort to correct things and have had some success, perhaps give it more time and just be sure not to over do it in the gym.

Also you should provide reference ranges for the free T so we can offer better advice.

 

[Vince]

You're pretty young to start trt. Any meds you're on that could be causing your lower testosterone, like SSRI.

 

[Pacman]

total T level of 419 and a free T level of 280

This is what your labs say? That is one hell of a conversion rate.... I never seen that before. Did you mean to put 28? What is the reference range shown on your labs?

The problems I'm having is a dead libido I have to force myself to get it up for my wife, even alone in the bedroom I can barely get it up, viagra works but gives me bad side effects I cannot continue to take it. I'm quite tired all the time as well.

Viagra helps you physically keep it up. It doesn't create libido. Testosterone is not the only factor in sex drive. You need more comprehensive labs.

I workout 4-6 days a week, it has been finally helping with energy levels however not my libido at all

It is possible you are overdoing it in the gym. I don't know what your workouts are like, but if you workout 6 days a week on some weeks, if you are also bringing every set to failure and your workouts last two hours every time, that could definitely kill your sex drive (due to systemic fatigue). I am not claiming that this is for sure what happened, but it's possible. Factor that in, and maybe take a week off and see how you feel. A week off will not kill your gains, and it may be exactly what you need. Go out and have a nice steak dinner, a few drinks...

You're pretty young to start trt.

I started much younger than that. I had hypogonadism for years before I even got diagnosed with it at age 25. Of course though, my total T was less than 100 in 3 separate tests lol.

 

[Tgk_143]

This is what your labs say? That is one hell of a conversion rate.... I never seen that before. Did you mean to put 28? What is the reference range shown on your labs?


Viagra helps you physically keep it up. It doesn't create libido. Testosterone is not the only factor in sex drive. You need more comprehensive labs.


It is possible you are overdoing it in the gym. I don't know what your workouts are like, but if you workout 6 days a week on some weeks, if you are also bringing every set to failure and your workouts last two hours every time, that could definitely kill your sex drive (due to systemic fatigue). I am not claiming that this is for sure what happened, but it's possible. Factor that in, and maybe take a week off and see how you feel. A week off will not kill your gains, and it may be exactly what you need. Go out and have a nice steak dinner, a few drinks...


I started much younger than that. I had hypogonadism for years before I even got diagnosed with it at age 25. Of course though, my total T was less than 100 in 3 separate tests lol.

Haha sorry about that the reference range is 175-700 and I was at 280.9. So ya when I workout 6 days a week I lift hard 2-3 out of those the rest is conditioning type stuff and cardio, my 6th day is usually cardio with a bit of yoga or stretching. But ya maybe ill cut it back a day or 2, or like you said take a few days off.

Wow under 100 hey, I couldn't even imagine what that would feel like. Your energy must have been down the toilet among other things.

So ya my t levels aren't that bad obviously however I've been trying my best to increase those levels with test booster eating and sleeping right without any luck and no luck in the bedroom either. It's been ripping our relationship apart and has been this way for a number of years.

So this is a bit awkward but ill say it anyways when i was 28 I'm not sure what happened to cause it but both my testicle shrunk like crazy and became more on the flat side instead of round, there was very little feeling in them at all and stupid me didn't go to the doctor.. 3 months later they started getting better but ever since than my libido tanked drastically and has never been the same.
Couple years ago I got an ultra sound done and came back normal wish I would have went before though.

When I get blood work done I'll post better labs.

 

[Vince]

This is what your labs say? That is one hell of a conversion rate.... I never seen that before. Did you mean to put 28? What is the reference range shown on your labs?


Viagra helps you physically keep it up. It doesn't create libido. Testosterone is not the only factor in sex drive. You need more comprehensive labs.


It is possible you are overdoing it in the gym. I don't know what your workouts are like, but if you workout 6 days a week on some weeks, if you are also bringing every set to failure and your workouts last two hours every time, that could definitely kill your sex drive (due to systemic fatigue). I am not claiming that this is for sure what happened, but it's possible. Factor that in, and maybe take a week off and see how you feel. A week off will not kill your gains, and it may be exactly what you need. Go out and have a nice steak dinner, a few drinks...


I started much younger than that. I had hypogonadism for years before I even got diagnosed with it at age 25. Of course though, my total T was less than 100 in 3 separate tests lol.

So when you say, thinking about starting trt. This isn't the first time you started trt? You never found a reason why your testosterone is low?

 

[Tgk_143]

So when you say, thinking about starting trt. This isn't the first time you started trt? You never found a reason why your testosterone is low?

Yes I did 2-3 years ago for only a month, I had a change of heart at the time and wanted to give it my all with a natural approach. I also had some weird side effects 3 weeks in which also pushed me out of it as well. I felt really faint sweaty and had shallow breathing along with crazy amounts of anxiety, can't remember what else but that's the gist of it.

I am on an ssri I quit for over a year and did not have any positive effects on libido my anxiety/ depression was getting really bad again so I started back up on it.

Also am on blood pressure meds since 17 years old. It's genetic related and won't be able to come off of them.

 

[Pacman]

So this is a bit awkward but ill say it anyways when i was 28 I'm not sure what happened to cause it but both my testicle shrunk like crazy and became more on the flat side instead of round, there was very little feeling in them at all and stupid me didn't go to the doctor.

This sounds like it might be primary hypogonadism. Test your LH and FSH levels. If they are through the roof it is very likely primary hypogonadism, not secondary.

 

[Tgk_143]

This sounds like it might be primary hypogonadism. Test your LH and FSH levels. If they are through the roof it is very likely primary hypogonadism, not secondary.

When I got the ultra sound done couple years ago I had labs done, my primary physician said lh and fsh were both normal and still sending signals from the brain to the testies so I duno. I gotta find a good doctor and see if they will actually give me the copies. The problem is most of them won't give me the labs, I'm from Canada Alberta btw. I have to seek out private clinics like naturopaths, and they can get expensive lol.

 

[sammmy]

This forum has a tendency to explain everything with low testosterone or high estrogen. Human body is gazillion times more complex than that.

SSRI are notorious for causing problems with libido and ejaculation/orgasm.

 

[Tgk_143]

This forum has a tendency to explain everything with low testosterone or high estrogen. Human body is gazillion times more complex than that.

SSRI are notorious for causing problems with libido and ejaculation/orgasm.

Oh ya I'm with you there no question, I guess everybody thinks testosterone because it is the main sex hormone for males. It just would be nice to figure this shit out. So far my wife has been patient but it really really hinders the quality of our relationship especially when you can't even get it up or even ejaculate.

I understand that series are notorious for that, that is why I took close to a year and a half off from them but couldn't continue because of the depression and anxiousness I was going through. I only take 1 once per day as well.

 

[Tgk_143]

I'm curious about HCG would that be something I could look into first before trt?

 

[Systemlord]

I'm curious about HCG would that be something I could look into first before trt?

No HCG isn't recommended for treating hypogonadism, often times guys add HCG to TRT when first starting out and most start to feel better when they cut out the HCG.

A lot of guys use HCG for fertility, deal with the side effects, get the wife pregnant and stop the HCG.

HCG will still suppress your HPTA (LH/FSH). Jatenzo (oral T capsule) under the brand name Andriol in Canada is probably the only version of TRT that won't shut you down in the same way injections will, leaving LH and FSH in the low normal ranges.

 

[Tgk_143]

No HCG isn't recommended for treating hypogonadism, often times guys add HCG to TRT when first starting out and most start to feel better when they cut out the HCG.

A lot of guys use HCG for fertility, deal with the side effects, get the wife pregnant and stop the HCG.

HCG will still suppress your HPTA (LH/FSH). Jatenzo (oral T capsule) under the brand name Andriol in Canada is probably the only version of TRT that won't shut you down in the same way injections will, leaving LH and FSH in the low normal ranges.

Oh ok, I knew guys used that for fertility and I thought also to combat the shrinkage in the testies which I thought was the result from the lh/fsh coming back online. Well good to know than haha. Thanks systemlord.

Before I go on this course again I'm just trying to learn as much as possible and i have one more ace up my sleeve which I think is a Scam but doesn't hurt to try anyways cuz screw it lol... it's a test booster called Aphro D and apparently there has been alot of people "doubling" their testosterone levels however im extremely skeptical of it lol.

 

[sammmy]

Aphro D screams scam with the typical selling pages, fake reviews that are all ''excellent'', and even paid ''reviewers''.

 

[Tgk_143]

Aphro D screams scam with the typical selling pages, fake reviews that are all ''excellent'', and even paid ''reviewers''.

Oh yes I don't doubt that, but desperate times I guess lol. Honestly I was just checking out test boosters and have heard that none make a real difference in levels but some people get the increased libido/energy so I thought hey why not give it a try. I made an appointment next week for labs with trt clinic so see what they have to say.

 

[Systemlord]

one more ace up my sleeve which I think is a Scam but doesn't hurt to try anyways cuz screw it lol... it's a test booster called Aphro D and apparently there has been alot of people "doubling" their testosterone levels however im extremely skeptical of it lol.

If test boosters really worked, there would be no need for TRT. Also note the disclaimers on those supplements, "not used to diagnose or treat diseases" and the only reason why test declines in the first place is a cluster of medical conditions.

 

[Tgk_143]

Any body have opinions on pt-141 ? It was just suggested to me. It's a peptide, aphrodisiac libido enhancer?

 

[Cataceous]

Any body have opinions on pt-141 ? It was just suggested to me. It's a peptide, aphrodisiac libido enhancer?

Some guys like it, but many find it's more like unpredictable and turbocharged Viagra. The erections are best when you're trying to sleep, and most don't get a bump in libido.

Be sure to investigate Nastesto or a generic testosterone nasal gel. These products allow you to bump up your testosterone without suppressing your natural production. This is the safest way to see if higher testosterone is likely to help you. Libido is very complex, and as long as testosterone/free testosterone is at least low-normal then higher levels mostly don't help.

Have you measured prolactin? Elevated levels can cause problems independently of effects on testosterone.

 

[Tgk_143]

Some guys like it, but many find it's more like unpredictable and turbocharged Viagra. The erections are best when you're trying to sleep, and most don't get a bump in libido.

Be sure to investigate Nastesto or a generic testosterone nasal gel. These products allow you to bump up your testosterone without suppressing your natural production. This is the safest way to see if higher testosterone is likely to help you. Libido is very complex, and as long as testosterone/free testosterone is at least low-normal then higher levels mostly don't help.

Have you measured prolactin? Elevated levels can cause problems independently of effects on testosterone.

Hey I really appreciate the suggestion on Nastesto I am literally going to speak to my doctor about it in 15 mins lol see what he says. I understand that libido is complex, all I'm looking for is to get some back cuz its tearing the relationship apart especially when you have no desire, and as a man it's difficult.. well.. rather impossible to hide or fake it Lol.