3 yrs of TRT and in the same bad place

[buckeyes#1]

My TRT journey started a little over 3 years ago. I was at the doctors for an annual exam and complained of fatigue, weight gain, and all of the other typical symptoms. She ran my BW and I found out I had low T. She prescribed me Androgel (5G) and sent me on my way. I did BW a few weeks later and my values had decreased (my natural test must have shut down). So she upped me to 10G and my score did go up somewhat. However, with two little ones that I have to get up and ready in the morning I didn't feel right about cross contamination. She was unfamiliar with injections, so she referred me to a Urologist who was even less informed. That Urologist referred me to an Endo who didn't treat Hypogonadism (Big Help, LOL).

I found another PCP whom agreed to give me bi-weekly shots of 200mg. However, my numbers stayed low and I asked for weekly shots. He referred me to an Endo at OSU. Endo#1 was fairly good and worked with me on upping my dose to 150mg/wk and allowed me to do my own injections. Unfortunately, he left the practice and I was pushed off to Endo#2. Met with Endo#2 one time and she left the practice. So once again, I was pushed off to Endo#3.

I met with Endo#3 a couple of weeks ago and am not happy with him at all. He never left the computer to examine me during my entire appointment. He also think that being in the low 300's is a good thing.

So I am left to finding a new Endo who will actually examine me and work with me on getting my levels to a suitable level. I also complained of several other sypmtoms during my last appointment and he blew them off. I think my adrenal glands are out of whack based on a lot of my symptoms.

Take a look at my history of labs and current symptoms. Something is not right here. My body is eating up the testosterone and I am not seeing any benefit of it.

[Brazensol]

Most doc's just don't have a clue when it comes to TRT. Once you find one who will work with you I think you will make significant progress in getting better. Levels in the 300's aren't going to cut it. Perhaps one of the online clinics might be the way to go? Also remember to check your thyroid levels as low T and hypothyroid often go hand in hand. Good luck to you.

[buckeyes#1]

I have more labs I can post, but my TSH was like 1.3. They have not checked my cortisol levels though. Just getting so frustrated with docs who have no concern for how I feel.

[buckeyes#1]

Bloodwork that was done last month:

TSH, HIGH-SENSITIVITY 1.201 0.550 - 4.*** uIU/mL

WBC (WHITE BLOOD COUNT) 6.0 4.5 - 11.0 K/uL
RBC 5.12 4.3 - 5.7 M/uL
HEMOGLOBIN (HGB) 17.0 13.2 - 17.3 g/dL
HEMATOCRIT (HCT) 48.7 39.0 - 49.0 %
MEAN CELL VOLUME 95.2 80.0 - 99.0 fL
MEAN CELL HGB CONCENTRATION 34.9 32 - 36 g/dL
RBC DISTRIBUTION 13.8 11.6 - 14.8
GRANS, ELECTRONIC 55.9 40 - 70 %
LYMPHS, ELECTRONIC 32.0 22.0 - 44.0 %
MONOCYTES, ELECTRONIC 10.4 0 - 7.0 % H
EOSINOPHILS, ELECTRONIC 1.4 0 - 5.0 %
BASOPHILS, ELECTRONIC 0.3 0 - 2 %
GRANS, ABSOLUTE 3.3 1.8 - 7.7 K/uL
LYMPHS, ABSOLUTE 1.9 1.0 - 4.8 K/uL
MONOS, ABSOLUTE 0.6 0 - 0.8 K/uL
EOS, ABSOLUTE 0.1 0 - 0.5 K/uL
BASO, ABSOLUTE 0.0 0 - 0.2 K/uL
PLATELET COUNT 197 150 - 400 K/uL
MEAN PLATELET VOLUME 8.7 7.5 - 11.2 fL

TESTOSTERONE 306 241 - 827 ng/dL
TESTOSTERONE, FREE 9.21 4.00 - 27.00 pg/mL
TESTOSTERONE, % FREE 3.01

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN,SER 15
Reference range: 10 to 57
Unit: nmol/L

CHOLESTEROL 138 <200 mg/dL
[<200 mg/dL: Desirable]
[200-239 mg/dL: Borderline High]
[>239 mg/dL: High]
HDL CHOLESTEROL 44 >60.0 mg/dL L
[<40 mg/dL: Low (High Risk)]
[>59 mg/dL: High (Low Risk)]
TRIGLYCERIDES-TRIGE 212 <150 mg/dL H
[<150 mg/dL: Desirable]
[150-199 mg/dL: Borderline]
[200-499 mg/dL: High]
[>500 mg/dL: Very High]
LDL CHOLESTEROL, CALCULATED 52 0 - 99 mg/dL
[<100 mg/dL: Optimal]
[100-129 mg/dL: Near Optimal]
[130-159 mg/dL: Borderline High]
[160-189 mg/dL: High]
[>189 mg/dL: Very High]
CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL/HDL 3.1 <4.5
[<4.5: Low risk]
NON-HDL CHOLESTEROL (CHOL-HDL) 94 <130 mg/dL
HEMOGLOBIN A1C DCA 4.7 4.3 - 6.1 %
Estimated Average Glucose 88
LDL, DIRECT, MEASURED 69 <100 mg/dL
[<100 mg/dL: Optimal]

SODIUM 136 136 - 145 mmol/L
POTASSIUM 3.7 3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L
CHLORIDE 103 98 - 107 mmol/L
BUN 11 6.0 - 20.0 mg/dL
CREATININE SERUM 0.89 0.90 - 1.30 mg/dL L
GLUCOSE 83 74 - 106 mg/dL
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.9 <1.5 mg/dL
ALBUMIN 4.2 3.4 - 4.8 g/dL
PROTEIN, TOTAL 6.8 6.4 - 8.3 g/dL
AST 47 5 - 34 U/L H
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 68 38 - 126 U/L
CALCIUM 8.9 8.6 - 10.0 mg/dL
OSMOLALITY (CALC) 283 275 - 295 mOsm/kg
BUN/CREA RATIO 12
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) 28 21 - 31 mmol/L
ALT 76 10 - 40 U/L H
ESTIMATED GFR, NON AFRICAN AMER >60 >60 mL/min/1.73sqM
ESTIMATED GFR, AFRICAN AMERICAN >60 >60 mL/min/1.73sqM

[HRTstudent]

You really need to find the right doctor BEFORE you go to your appointment. Start the search now. There is a lot of info on this site to help you get started there.

But really, it seems rather simple... have you tried splitting your shot up to twice a week? You probably just have low SHBG and you are peaking high and dropping off. It's really not that radical and your body isn't eating up the testosterone ... it just isn't holding onto it.

On a similar note, are you getting estradiol sensitive tests done?

[MRNJ1992]

same boat as you-3 years.Some of the same symptoms-extreme fatigue,weight gain alot of water from T etc...currently off hrt .Urologist stopped it. You need to find a specialist. My urologist is an idiot. Changed me from Cyp to Andro to nothing. My ENT doc is prescribing my next HRT. Good luck finding the right doc. Alot of guys with good advice on this site. Im sure they will put in their input. Good Luck

[fit2bOld]

Time to find a better Doc Buckeye. Read the sticky about finding a HRT DR. I started at a clinic and later after I was well informed on HRT and had my protocol on point I started looking for a local Physician and there was not a rush. You never know who you may find my guy is a P.A.

[bass]

i agree with HRT, keep looking until you find real TRT doc. couple of things stand out, liver function (ALT and AST) and hemoglobin although within range is still borderline high. liver working extra hard probably due to thick blood, you need to donate as often as they allow or at least enough to maintain healthy levels. first donate blood, then do a 6 weeks Milk Thistle therapy for your liver. this can help make you feel better. any AI's, hCG in the mix?

[juice2012]

If you can't find a doc that knows what they are doing, do what I did, just find a doctor that is willing to work with you and follow Crisler's protocol or any other advice from this forum. My doctor is a young guy, probably not even 40 yet and he has no idea how to do TRT. I was his first patient to request injections even. BUT, he will give me whatever I tell him to. On one hand it kinda sucks because it's like I'm treating myself via a doctor who is just signing prescriptions. But on the other hand, I'd much rather have a doctor that doesn't know shit about TRT that is willing to work with me, than one that doesn't know shit about TRT and isn't willing to work with me.

[buckeyes#1]

I have had an ultra sound of my liver and have a fatty liver. I have milk tHistle on hand, but developed this issue after my weight gain.