What's is a optimal testosterone level?

[TRA]

Everyone's talking about, at least from what I'm reading, synthetic TRT, has anyone tried bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy? That's what my hormone Dr is suggesting, not synthetic. Synthetic is what kills your natural hpta, balls shrink and can't have kids. Bioidentical is reproducing your natural hormones back to what they should be, in other words supplementing what you've already got, it doesn't shut down the hpta. But I'm in the early stages of testing and am waiting for my results to come in to evaluate my entire hormonal system to identify if something else is making me feel this way, or possibly blocking my natural production.

Anyone on bioidentical replacement therapy?

The testosterone you are describing is still synthesized but from plant based source. So I agree completely with Deadlifting Dog - doesn't make a difference. I read an article where is says because of the plant based synthesis the molecule binds perfectly and therefore there are no side effects. This is rubbish. High test has side effects regardless. If that were the case why would the estrogen produced by your body (in excess with high test) have side effects? It's being produced by your own body.
Bio identical is great for women, because their only option is usually get blasted with estrogen from birth control pills and no test supplementation. For them it makes sense, and maybe for a guy who wants a very subtle approach that includes DHEA, etc.
It's typically all grouped under the Age Management heading and is a boutique medicine much like cosmetic surgery. Funny thing is, I went to a "premier" age management doc years ago, got supplemental test for TRT and he failed to mention my labs came back with virtually no LH or FSH so my axis was shut down and had been for a while. He also didn't prescribe HCG so my balls shrank. The next one I saw who is reputed to be an expert doesn't prescribe HCG either, though she got me started on pellets. She prescribed letrozole which had me miserable by crushing my e2 for months at a time, and I finally started seeing her Nurse Practitioner so I could get an rx for adex. I had to tell the NP how to dose it, as she prescribed it at 1mg eod and gave me 12 with no refills. So...just educate yourself, and this forum is a great place to start. You will quickly sort out who the experts and vets with solid info are. Good luck

[kelkel]

The testosterone you are describing is still synthesized but from plant based source. So I agree completely with Deadlifting Dog - doesn't make a difference. I read an article where is says because of the plant based synthesis the molecule binds perfectly and therefore there are no side effects. This is rubbish. High test has side effects regardless. If that were the case why would the estrogen produced by your body (in excess with high test) have side effects? It's being produced by your own body.
Bio identical is great for women, because their only option is usually get blasted with estrogen from birth control pills and no test supplementation. For them it makes sense, and maybe for a guy who wants a very subtle approach that includes DHEA, etc.
It's typically all grouped under the Age Management heading and is a boutique medicine much like cosmetic surgery. Funny thing is, I went to a "premier" age management doc years ago, got supplemental test for TRT and he failed to mention my labs came back with virtually no LH or FSH so my axis was shut down and had been for a while. He also didn't prescribe HCG so my balls shrank. The next one I saw who is reputed to be an expert doesn't prescribe HCG either, though she got me started on pellets. She prescribed letrozole which had me miserable by crushing my e2 for months at a time, and I finally started seeing her Nurse Practitioner so I could get an rx for adex. I had to tell the NP how to dose it, as she prescribed it at 1mg eod and gave me 12 with no refills. So...just educate yourself, and this forum is a great place to start. You will quickly sort out who the experts and vets with solid info are. Good luck

Amazing lack of knowledge in the medical field when it comes to hormone replacement isn't there TR! The horror stories are endless.