Is HRT the right plan for me (long, please help)

[Notpretty]

I'm 43 and 3-4 years ago was tested for testosterone levels and was not on cycle or had been for 7-8 years. I've returned to the gym in the last 3 years and am now on cycle for the second time. 8 years ago I did three cycles and all of them were very conservative and short. PCT was not done but I returned to normal after each and never had gyno or other negative issues. I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to that. Today I'm being a bit more aggressive 500mg/w and 10/MG/Ed aromasin . 12 weeks @ week 6. But this question is not about my cycle at all. I've always wondered some things. When tested 3-4 years ago I came up with some stupid low test scores. Total: 76, 85, 145, 206, 226, 245. After these scores they put me on HRT. My testes were not any different during those tests then they always have been. During puberty I think I had a hormone failure. I experienced all the typical phases of puberty accept my testicals and to some degree my penis did not develop or go through the typical growth/development phase. So I have always had small testes and a small penis as a result. I was an RH factor baby...don't know if that's important at all. Heard it can affect pituitary. In any case, I was able to get my wife prego and we have a kid. But I'm convinced something went wrong. Small is not typical in the men in my family. And today I'm putting all this together...low t, depression, etc and wondering if something is wrong. The HRT has changed me mentally in amazing ways. I've returned to the gym and all depression is gone. As I'm reading up on PCT I began to wonder if I had during puberty and failure in my hormone system. And if that persists today, is HRT solving all the issues. What tests can be done to make sure my system is working right at all levels. My endo is not helping me much. I ask questions and he is dismissive etc. He said I'd test for Testosterone levels and maybe LH. What else should be tested to find out that my system is working? And yes, I'm on cycle, and will need to get back to my natural baseline for any tests to tell me anything correctly. So I'm looking at 2 months off. Not fun, but worth it to me to find out if something is not right and still being missed. Help? Anyone? Not looking to fix my balls or dick. It's more about mental stability. I feel bi-polar at times...always have. Wondering if this may be why.

[chi]

notpretty this is similar to something I am suffering since I also feel i have a chemical imbalance when i am off cycle. It really makes me feel like crap and I hope you can get some good advice to help you since I would not wish this mental anguish I have and i am sure you have as well.

[JD250]

You answered your own question.....get the blood work.....you already have a good idea what the test levels are but there are other things to consider, I'll find a list of things to screen for and post it or someone else may have it handy and post something.


Do I think TRT will help a 43 year old with low T......hell yes!! Change your life for sure!! But you have to get tested and find a clinic that knows what the hell they are doing. Don't know about your childhood issues but trt done right will keep your stuff where it is and BOOST libido off the charts and help with the depression and give you energy and on and on..........Take some hope from this bro, you can feel great again! Some AA clinics will take into consideration if you are on test or other things when you do bloodwork but you need to talk with them about that.

[turkishexpress]

I have found from years of using certain chemicals I have found that your brain chemistry does change over time. This is not only due to the usage of course. Part of it is also genetics and deterioration due to age. I would say that what you may be feeling maybe normal given all the circumstances and you may need TRT for the rest of your life. No shame in that.

[zaggahamma]

notpretty

welcome to the site..

good luck on your cycle...

i'm a little confused...you got put on trt and now blasting so when your blast is over you will continue on your trt dose...are you fine when on trt and/or cycle (using test)?

if so what is the remaining question?

[Notpretty]

Yeah the question was lost in the shuffle. I should have shortened that up a bit. Essentially, I want to know what tests should be done on/to me to determine my natural hormone levels and specifically if any are not working due to pituitary failure of some sort. These are ones that I know:

Testosterone free and total
Estrodial (spelling?)
Progesterone?
LH
FSH
what else??????

I want to at the end of this cycle and after a minimum of 2 months clear so my body finds my natural homeostasis...if my system is failing beyond testosterone in any way. I'd like to know why my testicles failed to properly develop. It remain unanswered. I think I could live with it better if I knew a cause and that that cause is not continuing to cause problems.

To answer question about going off cycle and what I do. Well I've only done two cycles...this being the second. The first was just 8 weeks and was just double the TRT plus some Nandralone. I did no PCT, and stopped all testosterone for 6 weeks. At that time I got bloodwork and everything was back to 'normal' for me off TRT. It was tough mentally, and I will not be so dumb in the future. Now I'm managing my on cycle estrogen and have a solid PCT plan to avoid the mental. But given I now want to know what the above answers are, I may break off this cycle run a short/modified PCT. And regroup after the testing results. I kind of feel I'm building a house on an uncertain foundation and want to address that.

I will put another question back to everyone. For those on TRT choosing to cycle, what do you do post cycle? Do you drop to just a TRT dose or stop entirely. For me children and worry of testicle function is not really a concern as I have a kid and know they are barely working anyway. Despite saying that I'm taking 10mgs of Aromasin to keep them on on cycle. Works well for me.

[alpenguy]

I have found from years of using certain chemicals I have found that your brain chemistry does change over time. This is not only due to the usage of course. Part of it is also genetics and deterioration due to age. I would say that what you may be feeling maybe normal given all the circumstances and you may need TRT for the rest of your life. No shame in that.

Agree. Fot those who have used for years, and have gone through those euphoric world dominating cycles, there must be a low. And we age, and things compound. Some of the best HRT clinics going are just starting to put this all together. Current data suggests that dopamine plays a big role in this. Some try agonists to get the mind working again, however this is in no way based on clinical studies. For now upping the hormones (test DHEA) is the new standard, and no shame in that

[Notpretty]

Yeah the question was lost in the shuffle. I should have shortened that up a bit. Essentially, I want to know what tests should be done on/to me to determine my natural hormone levels and specifically if any are not working due to pituitary failure of some sort. These are ones that I know:

Testosterone free and total
Estrodial (spelling?)
Progesterone?
LH
FSH
what else??????

I want to at the end of this cycle and after a minimum of 2 months clear so my body finds my natural homeostasis...if my system is failing beyond testosterone in any way. I'd like to know why my testicles failed to properly develop. It remain unanswered. I think I could live with it better if I knew a cause and that that cause is not continuing to cause problems.

To answer question about going off cycle and what I do. Well I've only done two cycles...this being the second. The first was just 8 weeks and was just double the TRT plus some Nandralone. I did no PCT, and stopped all testosterone for 6 weeks. At that time I got bloodwork and everything was back to 'normal' for me off TRT. It was tough mentally, and I will not be so dumb in the future. Now I'm managing my on cycle estrogen and have a solid PCT plan to avoid the mental. But given I now want to know what the above answers are, I may break off this cycle run a short/modified PCT. And regroup after the testing results. I kind of feel I'm building a house on an uncertain foundation and want to address that.

I will put another question back to everyone. For those on TRT choosing to cycle, what do you do post cycle? Do you drop to just a TRT dose or stop entirely. For me children and worry of testicle function is not really a concern as I have a kid and know they are barely working anyway. Despite saying that I'm taking 10mgs of Aromasin to keep them on on cycle. Works well for me.

Please help me know what I should get tested.... I again typed way too much when I just want to know what tests s/b done to know if I'm working right.

[kelkel]

Notpretty,

I'm 53 and about 6mo into TRT therapy with Androgel . Working great for me btw. What you need first, like I have found, is a doctor who treats you by how you feel, not just by your numbers. I started with 5mg and peaked at 15mg (12 pumps). Now I'm back to 10 pumps. It keeps my T level in the mid 400's to 500"s first thing in the a.m. pre-application. By early afternoon I've tested over 850 so I'm thrilled so far. Now I'm considering a cycle as it's been since 1989 although I've trained the same all along. Speak to your doctor and if he doesn't listen, find another who's a little more modern. Good luck.

[zaggahamma]

dont live in the past live for the present and future