thinking of hrt

[elcoman]

First off hello everyone. My name is Mike im 32 years old. Im 6'1" 240 lbs. I have been working out seriously for about six months now. I eat clean (got the diet from this site) I do cardio 4 times a week which consists of running 2 miles a day plus I play basketball and racketball. Here is my problem though I am not losing very much weight at all and i feel tired and slugish most of the time. My sex drive is still there but it isnt what it used to be. My muscle gains have been very little, but I work out very hard. I work out everyother day so I get plenty of rest. Does it sound like I may have a problem? Im getting very discouraged. Thank you.

[BigMaus]

My god man, go see a docter fast.
What is your cycle history?

[elcoman]

Cycle history goes as follows- testosterone and laurabolin 4 years ago. didnt eat right and didnt train like i should have so it was just a waste.

[zaggahamma]

if that's you in the pic although blurry it doesn't look like you need to lose much weight...you mentioned eating clean are you in a caloric deficit though. you also mentioned only minimal muscle gains as well....looks like you trying to do what i have been trying which is to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time...been a slow process for me as well and I think TRT "HRT" has aided me a bit.

Slugishness/tiredness and reduction in libido are sometimes symptoms of low testosterone and like stated first step is doctor/bloodwork.

Good luck bro

[elcoman]

I had blood work done today. I have another appiontment on wed. for results from lab. I will keep you guys posted. In response to your reply JP I tried bulking and I didnt see much of a result with that so I decided to try cutting and I didnt see a result with that either. I never had a problem with my weight until after the age of 24. I also used to be able to gain muscle very easily but now that has all changed.I dont know if age has caught up with me or what.I have been reviewing and researching on this site for about 5 years now. I have tried many things that were suggested by the gurus but with hardly no results. So im at a loss. hopefully the lab will answer quistions. Thanks for all the help.

[zaggahamma]

yeh man...no probs....your taking all the right steps and looks like your doin lots of research as well....we can't blame it age anymore and don't need to...32 is way young bro...you have a great foundation with your good diet and training....sometimes we need a little help from the doc....once again...wish you the best

[elcoman]

Thanks bro.

[balin]

So what is your diet like? Training?

[elcoman]

Well I got my lab results back today and my test level was 148. So the doctor perscribed androgel but it was too expensive. Even with my insurance it would cost me $230 and the test patches werent any cheaper. so I just got back from getting my first shot at the clinic. But they are only giving me 2cc's a month. Will this help my condition? Seems like a small amount over a month. They want to see me next month and take blood again. I guess I will see what happens.

[zaggahamma]

Well I got my lab results back today and my test level was 148. So the doctor perscribed androgel but it was too expensive. Even with my insurance it would cost me $230 and the test patches werent any cheaper. so I just got back from getting my first shot at the clinic. But they are only giving me 2cc's a month. Will this help my condition? Seems like a small amount over a month. They want to see me next month and take blood again. I guess I will see what happens.

Man, if it's like most insurance that i know of...when androgel is expensive, then testim will be cheap...they usually cover one better but usually injections are as cheap or cheaper than either gel...just because the doc prescribed androgel he understands that costs matter to us and can easily change that. So you're getting 2cc's a month (i'm assuming that's 200mg/ml )so 400mg a month....that's is actually a normal starting dose for TRT and can bump your total test up quite a bit and get you feeling better. Most gel starting TRT doses are around 5mg a day which doesn't even add up to half what you are getting with your 2cc's a month of injects so you're better off anyway

My script is only for 200mg every 3 weeks so not even as much as you're getting. My doc thought i was going to come in to have them do the jabbin but i kept the vial to myself They never asked what happened I guess they just assumed I was very in tune with my own health anyway and actually gave me a refill and asked me to come in after that vial for checkups. I like the idea of the do it yourself, no waiting in lobby, driving back and forth to the doc for shots. So far so good.

No but seriously that is a normal starting dose and might get you where you want to be. If your symptoms don't improve you can ask for a raise or try to get them to let you self administer.

Good luck bro

[Spyke]

Doing it yourself is the ONLY WAY to do hrt. Can you imagine having to go to the doc every week for the rest of your life? I can draw the test and inject in less time the it takes to brush my teeth and I only do it once a week.

Make sure you get 100mg per week and not 200mg every 2 weeks. That should work better for you.

[zaggahamma]

Good advice....I started injecting every 4 days and feeling good like that and am going to go to every 5 this week and probably stay there. I think that will be a comfortable spread after reading the test cyp profile and following how i feel as well.

[elcoman]

how would I get my doctor to allow me to shoot myself?

[zaggahamma]

how would I get my doctor to allow me to shoot myself?

First thing that comes to mind is who wants to go to the doc's office 1 or even 2 times a month let alone 1-2 times a week if you show him that it's better to split the doses up and shoot more often. And you may have a copay responsibility each visit which can be a financial burden on you as well as your time. I'd give it to him like that.
In my case the doc sent the script in the mail as I was on androgel at the time and concerned about the gel rubbing on my family so when I got the script they mentioned something about calling for an appt. for your
injcection(s). HA! When I picked up that vial from the local pharmacy I felt like a 3 year old at haloween time Needless to say first injection was the same day

[elcoman]

Here is an update for anyone who might be curious. It has been a week since my test shot and I tell you what I have felt like crap the past few days. I have been more tires that ever. I dont feel any change for the better. I actully feel worse. My next appiontment is on the 4th of next month. Im going to have to tell my doctor that the dosage that she is giving me is not working. The funny thing is that the doctor has never dealt with HRT before. She said it will be interesting to see how this turns out.That comment has me concerned. I may have to find another doctor.

[zaggahamma]

Definately keep your options open and just maybe an idea for you since your feelin so bad now....i've been as persistent to call daily to check for cancellations or maybe they even have a sooner appt. anyway...you got that appt. when you last saw your doc, but that is not carved in stone bro...i mean if you an take off to go to the doc whenever you want that is....i know some jobs require a bunch of b.s. just to get time off but just wanted to throw that you're way...some peeps don't know about doctors when they don't go a lot....i learned a lot about em being a dad and going in all the time with the youngens....hate to see you like that man

[2bshredded]

Here is an update for anyone who might be curious. It has been a week since my test shot and I tell you what I have felt like crap the past few days. I have been more tires that ever. I dont feel any change for the better. I actully feel worse. My next appiontment is on the 4th of next month. Im going to have to tell my doctor that the dosage that she is giving me is not working. The funny thing is that the doctor has never dealt with HRT before. She said it will be interesting to see how this turns out.That comment has me concerned. I may have to find another doctor.

Sometimes this is a blessing in disguise, reasearch and let her know you've done the reaearch and request what you think you need. Good luck, you'll get to where you'r e feeling better.

[Teabagger]

Everything they said....You'll want to get to weekly injectiions, meaning every 5th or 6th day..do it yourself. You ask how...ok...YOU are in charge of your body and health...NOT your doctor. When you begin to think this way you will also begin to ask (demand) nicely, what you have a pretty good idea is of what you need in the trt realm. Evidence, both anecdoetal and empirical, shows weekly injections are most effective. Injections are more effective over gels (less potential sideeffects). You have to take control of your health care...in every way. TRT is so new that chances are if you spend a couple of hours on this site researching you will be leaps and bounds ahead of your doctor....don't be shy....its your body...your health...

Good luck...its late...I'll let the others here take over...they're doing good.

[elcoman]

Thanks for the good advise everyone. I will call the doctor tomorrow and get an appointment asap. I will tell her what I think I need as I have done some research and judging from the way that I am feeling. Then I will see what to do from there.Thanks again for all of the help. I will keep you all posted.

[vermin]

You might want to send your bloodwork to Oasis (forum sponsor). They can tell you what they'd do and how much it would cost. If you have the cash, they can send you multiple months at a time at a cost savings. They are very helpful and will work with/communicate with your GP if needed. Even my endocrinologist, who characterized anti-aging docs as "alternative medicine," admitted that the Oasis bloodwork was "impressive" and "comprehensive". They know what they are doing!

[WallyWorld637]

Yes bro try to find a Endocrinologist. I did 2 weeks ago and my life has changed.

[try-n]

Call oasis. You may need an anti estrogen also. You need to be in charge of your program and make small adjustments under the guidance of a pro until you feel right. It takes a couple weeks to start stabilizing also, so give a new program a bit of time. Aboslutely this can effect your mood in a negative way. That just means your program isn't right, not that the whole concept is bad.

[elcoman]

Hey guys. Here is an updated for those interested. I got my blood work done again on the 4th of this month. I got my 2nd shot the following day. I told my doctor that I felt great for about six days but then I went back to feeling crappy. She called me yesterday and told me that my levels were low again so she bumped my shots up from once a month to once every 2 weeks. She wants me to continue this for 3 months then do some blood work again. I did however call Oasis today and they were very helpful. They told me exactly what I wanted to hear. I think I will see how the 3 months go and if Im not satisfied Im going to give Oasis a shot. They know what they are doing. As for the anti e's the doctor said she will get back to me on that. Hopefully I will feel better within the next 3 months. I will keep you guys posted. Again thanks for all of the great input. Oh! I forgot to add that after the 3 months she said she might refer me to a Urologists. Why would she do that?

[balin]

She may feel more comfortable with them doing your hrt as that is more their field.

[vermin]

What was your estrogen with your new bloodwork?

[elcoman]

Hey vermin. She didnt tell me about my estrogen levels. But I will have to ask her on the next visit.

[elcoman]

well here is an update. I went in for my third shot yesterday and I feel better! While in the room getting jabbed my doctor called down to the shot room and said to schedule me for weekly shots. I dont know for how much yet.

[zaggahamma]

well here is an update. I went in for my third shot yesterday and I feel better! While in the room getting jabbed my doctor called down to the shot room and said to schedule me for weekly shots. I dont know for how much yet.

Glad you're doing well elcoman...hope you get a good RX and eventually begin to self administer...did she get around to your ? about estrogen blocking? and in answer to your question a few posts up about being referred to a Uro...also common...they are more fielded when dealing with the pee pee Mine did the same thing when i kept asking her to check my prostate...i think whe thought i enjoyed her fingering me Uro's are more thourough with the prostate check so it is good she is considering this as it's for your best interest.

Best of Luck Bro

[Ufa]

Your gonna be fine. We all go through hell at first. Dumb doctors trying
to give you as little as possible to cover thier ass. You will learn to deal
with these dim wits.