HRT, Moodiness and the People Around Us.

[forrest_and_trees]

When it comes to HRT and moodiness, I'm sure I'm not alone in dealing with the challenges related to maintaining one's demeanor. Unfortunately, those who live with and know us are often subjected to unwanted mood swings. To that end, are there any resources available to provide to others to help them better understand what it is we are going through and as such, better help them in dealing with someone on HRT?

I know I often feel bad because it seems my fuse is much shorter than it used to be and at times I find myself having a hard time keeping myself in check. As a result I take it out on those around me even though, while I'm doing it, I realize its my whacked out body chemistry talking and not really me.

We all know about a woman's monthly cycle and what it can do to their moods; and that seems to be generally accepted, however in the case of HRT, it seem to be misinterpreted as just having a "bad attitude".

I would love to be able to give the people I care about, something they can read so they better understand what is going on. Are there any such resources out there?

[Epic Ed]

I've found my mood to be much more stable while on TRT. As long as I'm dosing it frequently enough I'm the same asshole day in and day out with no peaks in homicidal thoughts or valleys of man-card-revoking cry-fests. However, if you catch me before I've had coffee, all bets are off. You're taking your life in your own hands.

[Vettester]

Unwanted mood swings??? Have no clue what you're talking about. That was life before TRT.

[Jupiter2]

I feel your pain Forrest. I'm very lucky that my GF feels the way she does about me. If the shoe were on the other foot I think I would have told her to get lost moons ago. I'm so hoping that the TRT is the answer to those mood swings because it definitely isn't fair for anyone to put up with that continually.

In my mind a woman may be able to understand your issues if she has experienced menopause, but otherwise you are asking her to understand something alien to her. It's like being told to imagine the worst pain possible when asking your wife what it feels like to deliver a child lol.

At this point my GF feels as I do that a hormonal imbalance is responsible for my "issues." And we are both hoping that the TRT returns me to the thoughtful, caring person I used to be. In the meantime, trying to have the presence of mind to walk away when you are suddenly feeling pressured, aggravated or agitated is a good thing.

[Vettester]

At this point my GF feels as I do that a hormonal imbalance is responsible for my "issues." And we are both hoping that the TRT returns me to the thoughtful, caring person I used to be.

Jupiter, I was in a dark place when my levels were low. Once I got on TRT, I got my life back.

I realize its my whacked out body chemistry talking and not really me.

We all know about a woman's monthly cycle and what it can do to their moods; and that seems to be generally accepted, however in the case of HRT, it seem to be misinterpreted as just having a "bad attitude".

Forrest, if this is what you are experiencing then you probably haven't got your TRT program tuned in at all. A balanced HRT program does the exact opposite.

[victory229]

"Cranky" That is what my wife called it. I did not even realize how moody I was. Then I got on HRT. Initially, I was on HCG. Within 30 minutes of the first injection I was a different person.

I still did not realize how bad it was. I stopped the HRT for a short time and I could feel myself become impatient and intolerant of everything. Needless to day back on HRT.

[forrest_and_trees]

I'm not so much "moody" as I seem to have a shorter fuse. [With some people more than others.] On a side note: recently I saw a quote that gave me a little laugh, it said, "I don't have an attitude problem, you just need to stop pissing me off!" =) I haven't been tested since I switched from daily gel to injections only; so for all I know, my levels could be down. I've got lots of stress too but that's just par for the course and I'm also dealing with some thyroid issues too. Not sure if that has an effect. I'll just have to wait and see what my next test says.

Jupiter2: Thanks for the support. It sounds like you've got a keeper!

P.S. Just out of curiosity, at what levels do most people begin to experience "roid-rage"?

[zaggahamma]

i never let anyone blame there hormones on acting like an asshole...male or female...bitch or dick if you cant behave socially then keep your ass in your cave

[Black]

I'm not so much "moody" as I seem to have a shorter fuse. [With some people more than others.] On a side note: recently I saw a quote that gave me a little laugh, it said, "I don't have an attitude problem, you just need to stop pissing me off!" =) I haven't been tested since I switched from daily gel to injections only; so for all I know, my levels could be down. I've got lots of stress too but that's just par for the course and I'm also dealing with some thyroid issues too. Not sure if that has an effect. I'll just have to wait and see what my next test says.

Jupiter2: Thanks for the support. It sounds like you've got a keeper!

P.S. Just out of curiosity, at what levels do most people begin to experience "roid-rage"?

You probably already know, but bloodwork is needed to see where you are at now with the injections. Also, when your thyroid is off, you are off. A friend of mine had thyroid cancer and had it removed. She now has to take Synthroid (T4) and if a dose is missed, there's a huge difference in everything.

With that being said, TRT isn't magic. It's not like a drug that makes everything euphoric. Career, finances, family, etc. can all bring on unwanted stress. Everything in your life could be great. Your mood, energy, motivation, etc. But, for example, if you are struggling to find work in this current economy, then it's going to bring on stress, which can cause moodiness, regardless of where your hormones are.

[durak]

i never let anyone blame there hormones on acting like an asshole...male or female...bitch or dick if you cant behave socially then keep your ass in your cave

I generally fall in with JPKMAN here. However, if hormones other than test and estrogen get out of wack you may experience negative effects.

[forrest_and_trees]

Public display of "assholeisim" is one of my peeves and feeling pretty strongly about it, I keep my "moments" for more intimate settings. i.e. at home and in private. I'm actually a pretty easy going guy which is why I don't like experiencing those "moments". I typically feel like shit almost immediately after being an asshole and never dwell on issues. If given the space, once it's out I can let it go and reground myself in a matter of minutes. That said, some people just seem to keep it going and I tend to escalate. [I suppose that's where the "knowing when to walk" part comes into play. I just hope I get my proper levels in check soon so I can better deal with those, "moments" and not let them get to me at all.

[DragonRider]

Unwanted mood swings??? Have no clue what you're talking about. That was life before TRT.

Absolutely. Low testosterone causes those problems. If you are still experiencing them, you need to get your levels checked or dose more frequently to stabilize your levels.
HRT should make you very mellow.

[Vettester]

Absolutely. Low testosterone causes those problems. If you are still experiencing them, you need to get your levels checked or dose more frequently to stabilize your levels.
HRT should make you very mellow.

Thanks for the HRT lesson, I would have never guessed.

The OP was stating that his HRT program was making him have these mood swings. READ MY THREADS closer and you'll see where I state that having a balanced HRT program is the solution.

The thread isn't about if low test causes mood swings ... He claims TRT caused them.

[durak]

Thanks for the HRT lesson, I would have never guessed.

The OP was stating that his HRT program was making him have these mood swings. READ MY THREADS closer and you'll see where I state that having a balanced HRT program is the solution.

The thread isn't about if low test causes mood swings ... He claims TRT caused them.

lol... VM you are almost as ornery as I am.

[forrest_and_trees]

DragonRider, vetteman08... LOL listening to the two of you, suddenly I'm not feeling so bad. Maybe I don't have a attitude problem after all, maybe those certain people, *do* need to just stop pissing me off.... =)

Although, here's a thought, I've been doing some digging around and I'm wondering if it's possible that with the addition of the DHEA, the test shots are actually causing my estrogen levels to spike too, which might explain the moodiness. I started taking an herbal based AI but maybe it's just not enough for me. Could be time for Liquidex. I plan to ask my doctor about it today. One of the other reasons I question my estro levels is because my libido actually seems to increase the further *away* I get from my previous shot. I am a big guy and I do know that the more body fat you have the more estro your body produces. Is it possible I'm on to something here or I'm I completely off in left field? It would sure seem to explain a lot if my estro was spiking too.

[Vettester]

lol... VM you are almost as ornery as I am.

Durak, it's threads like this that will make a guy go postal! (I know you've had your share)

Forrest, I've said my peace with what I think you need to do. I even responded in detail to your PM that you sent me, but heard nothing back. Grab it by the horns my friend, it your choice!

Good luck!

[forrest_and_trees]

Sorry Vette, forgot about the PM. Truth is, [and don't take this the wrong way] you're just one guy on the internet and I don't know you from Adam. I'm not about to take your words for gospel until I can corroborate you recommendations with others here on this site and other sites as well. And ultimately with my own doctor.

In the mean time I'm trying to wrap my own brain around all this info. It's pretty complex stuff and it doesn't help that we're prevented from saying certain things, which only makes it more confusing. So... Sometimes I may have to ask the same question, 7 different ways before I feel confident I know what I'm doing. This is some pretty important stuff we're dealing with here and I don't want to put just anything in my body without first knowing what I'm doing. At the very least I need to be able to inform my doctor, so he can go and corroborate what I request and give me the green light to proceed. To do all this I need to ask questions.

For the record, I am *extremely* grateful for your input and the input of others. And I'm grateful to have a resource like this in the first place. We're it not for the internet, I'd still be in the dark, suffering and dying slowly, one day at a time. And that's no exaggeration. So please, just bare with me. No need to go agro.