Testosterone Injections- Seeking Advice on Dosage and Type

[Nate02]

Hello,

I am a 20 year old, male college student. Within the next few months, I plan to start testosterone replacement therapy. I have experienced unyielding, detrimental symptoms since I was 12 years old. I am excited to potentially relieve these symptoms, however, I am posed with a choice(s). I do not know the body's typical response to testosterone , nor do I believe that a simple "Google search" could provide me with a fair assessment on such a subjective area. Hence, why I am here requesting the help of men who have been through testosterone replacement therapy. So, I have done much research, as I am a very thorough person and care about body. I have came to the decision that I want testosterone injections. This issue is my testosterone levels are borderline. Out of three morning tests, results have fluctuated between 250 to 350 (I apologize; I have forgotten the standard unit). I am concerned about my testicles shutting down, and am trying to prevent this if possible. Since my testosterone is borderline, the dosage of testosterone needed to boost my levels to a healthy state (assuming my own production isn't shut down, that is) would me minimal. So, would a small dose of testosterone effectively shut down my own production? Or could it be small enough that my body would not recognize it as a sufficient source, and thus not shut down my own production?

Also, I am planning on requesting testosterone undecanoate. I know it is a relatively new treatment; so, any testimonies or advice that is given would be appreciated.

Thank you for reading,
Nate

ADDITION: I just realized, it may be useful for viewers to know my test results as well.

The first test came back as such.

Testosterone, Serum: 265 (348-1197)

This was concerning, so another more extensive test followed.

TSH: 2.360 (0.450-4.500)
LH: 4.2 (1.7-8.6)
FSH: 1.1 (1.5-12.4)
Testosterone, Serum: 330 (348-1197)
Prolactin: 8.5 (4.0-15.2)

The next test was issued by an endocrinologist.

Free Testosterone(Direct): 9.4 (9.3-26.5)
Testosterone, Total, Lc/Ms: 253.9 (348-1197)
Lh: 4.1 (1.7-8.6)
FSH: 1.1 (1.5-12.4)

The next test my current endocrinologist ordered because I had been off Prozac for one week and figured why not.

Cortisol: 20.8 (2.3-19.4)
TSH: 4.2: (0.450-4.500)

The first two tests were taken at 11:30 AM and 10:30 AM respectively, and the last two were taken at 8:00 AM.

I had an MRI done, and the results came back clear.

[steroid.com 1]

Here's one word of advise from a man of the age of 52 to another man of the age of 20; any type of self therapy, no matter how much you think you learned or studied, will replace the proper care and medical oversight and management of that a trained and licensed Physician can do for you.

If you continue the course of action that you laid out here in your post, you will most likely end up hurting yourself to a point of no return.

Rethink your thought process my young brother.

gd

[Nicotine]

I am 32, and I am on replacement therapy.

For me, thus far, it's one of the greatest things to have happened to me. BUT - with that being said, you need a physician/endocrinologist to do your bloodwork, write you a script (i'd much rather have pharmaceutical than illegal. sources often disappear with no warning, and if your source isn't that great - who knows what you're putting into yourself), make sure your levels are stable, and then to keep an eye on your bloodwork (kidney, liver, PSA, estrogen, etc).

Never self medicate with a hormone. There is VERY serious long term side effects. Just because you are 20 doesn't mean you are problem free without any underlying issues you arn't aware of. Maybe there is a reason your body is the way it is that can be taken care of without the use of a lifetime of HRT.

you said " I am concerned about my testicles shutting down, and am trying to prevent this if possible."

There is no "small dose" that you can give yourself that your body wont "see". When you're supplimenting from an external source, your body will stop it's own production (from what I know, others will chime in).

Also you need to realize, some people if they decide to stop take a very long time for their HPTA to recover - if it even does at all. You COULD very well shut yourself down for a very long time, or forever.

[lovbyts]

^^^ what they said. I'm 50 and the though have having to do HRT for the next 30 years is not something I look forward to and can not imagine having to do it since I was in my 20s. Also as said it's not simply running some test and everything is AOK again. I have been on HRT and a member of this site since 2008 and I'm still learning how to get things right. There is no way I would consider self medicating. As they say a person who represents himself has a fool for a client or in this case self medicates.

Another thing to keep in mind is what if you are not able to get test due to supply? getting fake/bogus product? Regulations change? The only guarantee is nothing stays the same so you could go through months or years of having even lower test than normal and going into depression. There are many variables.

Another thing is since you are in your 20s it's best to find out WHY you have low test. It's best if you can find the reason and get it fixed instead of just masking or ignoring the problem.

[Nate02]

Here's one word of advise from a man of the age of 52 to another man of the age of 20; any type of self therapy, no matter how much you think you learned or studied, will replace the proper care and medical oversight and management of that a trained and licensed Physician can do for you.

If you continue the course of action that you laid out here in your post, you will most likely end up hurting yourself to a point of no return.

Rethink your thought process my young brother.

gd

I am 32, and I am on replacement therapy.

For me, thus far, it's one of the greatest things to have happened to me. BUT - with that being said, you need a physician/endocrinologist to do your bloodwork, write you a script (i'd much rather have pharmaceutical than illegal. sources often disappear with no warning, and if your source isn't that great - who knows what you're putting into yourself), make sure your levels are stable, and then to keep an eye on your bloodwork (kidney, liver, PSA, estrogen, etc).

Never self medicate with a hormone. There is VERY serious long term side effects. Just because you are 20 doesn't mean you are problem free without any underlying issues you arn't aware of. Maybe there is a reason your body is the way it is that can be taken care of without the use of a lifetime of HRT.

you said " I am concerned about my testicles shutting down, and am trying to prevent this if possible."

There is no "small dose" that you can give yourself that your body wont "see". When you're supplimenting from an external source, your body will stop it's own production (from what I know, others will chime in).

Also you need to realize, some people if they decide to stop take a very long time for their HPTA to recover - if it even does at all. You COULD very well shut yourself down for a very long time, or forever.

^^^ what they said. I'm 50 and the though have having to do HRT for the next 30 years is not something I look forward to and can not imagine having to do it since I was in my 20s. Also as said it's not simply running some test and everything is AOK again. I have been on HRT and a member of this site since 2008 and I'm still learning how to get things right. There is no way I would consider self medicating. As they say a person who represents himself has a fool for a client or in this case self medicates.

Another thing to keep in mind is what if you are not able to get test due to supply? getting fake/bogus product? Regulations change? The only guarantee is nothing stays the same so you could go through months or years of having even lower test than normal and going into depression. There are many variables.

Another thing is since you are in your 20s it's best to find out WHY you have low test. It's best if you can find the reason and get it fixed instead of just masking or ignoring the problem.

So... it would appear the simplicity of my post implied a completely wrong message, and I apologize for that. For the sake of being direct, I left out much information. In no way am I self medicating; I have seen different doctors throughout this ordeal. Last summer, I asked my family physician to test my testosterone ; and he did, with much hesitation. Results returning low, I began my search for diagnosis and treatment. In the last 6 or so months, I have seen two endocrinologists and plan on seeing two additional doctors within the next two months. The endocrinologist I first visited, tested my testosterone and sent me for treatment without testing for the issue. This I could not understand, as I view the diagnosis as crucial to any treatment; so, I searched for new help. However, this first doctor did put me on Synthroid , as my TSH level was approximately 4.5. The second endocrinologist I visited sent me away as I did not appear testosterone deficient physically, not even inquiring about my many internal issues. I am seeking inquiry of testosterone supplement if and only if my diagnosis supports the use of such, and I am set out to understand my options to help me choose a doctor with whom I agree with. In fact, if anyone has suggestions of tests that may be of use for my diagnosis, please don't hesitate to answer.

That being said, yesterday one of the new doctors who I have been contacting via e-mail uses Testosterone Gel. He stated that he uses a compounded pharmacy to tailor each prescription. Everything this man has said thus far, I completely agree with. I am now decided whether I should pursue this doctor, or pursue one who prescribes injections. Through my research I see that testosterone injections are of preference to most. So, if anyone has an opinion as to their preference, I would much appreciate it.

Thanks.

[Doug350SD]

As far as gels go, my personal experience was not the best, the gels did not work for me at all after 4 years and the day after day caution that needs to be used constantly around children, and females can interfere with your daily interactions...

If you get a spur of the moment horny moment with the lady, it can be counter productive to say, whoa hold on one minute lets stop mid moment go take a shower then try and restart that moment over... Injections have been great for me personally...

[Nate02]

As far as gels go, my personal experience was not the best, the gels did not work for me at all after 4 years and the day after day caution that needs to be used constantly around children, and females can interfere with your daily interactions...

If you get a spur of the moment horny moment with the lady, it can be counter productive to say, whoa hold on one minute lets stop mid moment go take a shower then try and restart that moment over... Injections have been great for me personally...

Thank you for your response. I am glad to see you have tried both applications. I feel like most of my research is in vain; as too many people are biased to injections. I suspect this is due to the cost of injections being drastically lower, which of course you know. Would you mind telling me more about your experience with each? I would love to hear it.