how bad is 208 at 49yrs

[posvibeonly]

hi all newby here. i am 49 and went to the doc to get blood work done to renew blood pressure medicine. the tech was talking with me and suggested that get my test level checked . so i figured ya doing blood work run it through the gambit. well to shorten this story every thing came back all good except cholest and my test levels wich were 208. doc said it was low . is this significantly low or just a tad. it seems lately i hear ad for low t every where and dont want to get thrown on the band wagon for someones profit. back to doc he wanted to put me on andro but my insur would not cover . it will cover injections which sounds better to me than the gel . what i have read about the gel worries me about transfer to my family. the other option is read a little about implants but when i try to find out more info about implants all i get are these clinics that dont accept insurance ( i maybe wrong in my thought but places that dont accept insurance do not seem safe to me)and want lots of money. can my doc get the implants and do them.any feed back would be appreciated in meen time i am going to read up on this.

[Times Roman]

Welcome to the board mate!
My T levels were very similar to yours several years ago. Went on TRT and things began to improve. It can take up to three years to realize full benefits of the regiment, some you wont' be aware of (like improved bone density). Others you will notice in a matter of a few weeks (like increased libido)

At 208, I think it's time to consider TRT.

Keep your eye on your RBC and your E levels, as when on TRT, these levels typically elevate.

My philosophy is "less is more" as you will be on this therapy the rest of your life. So I'd start off with a low dose and see how it goes. I take 70mg test c per week, and my levels are now in the low 700's. My RBC and E is high, so I have to manage those now. There are those that take 200mg test c per week, but in my opinion, that is way too much. They may be able to get away with it as long as their other levels don't get too high.

Again, in my opinion, forget about the patches/creams/pellets and instead go with the injections. Yes, it's a pain at first to have to go to the clinic weekly, but find a way to convince your GP you should do it at home, and then it gets real convenient. Injections are the most economical/efficient/effective delivery system, which is why over 90% of those here that take testosterone , go with the injections.

Let me know if any other questions?

Good luck!
---Roman

[Moparman]

208 is low!!! I was at 381 but my free test was miserable. I'm in a much happier place now. I can't believe the magic my trt has done for me.

Do it!! You won't regret it. Go for the testosterone cyp. That's the best way to go. I was feeling better within a week of starting.

[bass]

TR gave you good advice. to manage high RBC and Hemoglobin you simply donate blood as needed, many of us do it every two months. keep in mind TRT is not just Testosterone injections, as TR mentioned once you raise one hormone other hormones will get manipulated as well, estrogen, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Prostate (PSA), and some times liver enzymes depending on how much AI you'll be taking. if you keep your dose low as TR suggested then you may not need AI, or at least very little which will have no negative effects.

a complete TRT consists of,

1. testosterone
2. AI which means aromatase inhibitor
3. hCG to keep your testis healthy
4. clean diet
5. exercise (weight lifting)

Supplements Optional,
1. vitamin D
2. DHEA
3. Fish Oil

[powerlifterty16]

208 is low regardless of age, but 208 at 49 is not as bad as some people...still if i were you id get trt as it's not gonna improve....

[testytim]

Hope i can help here i am 57 years old..I have been on trt for 6 years . I have done patches creams etc etc. IMO just go straight to injections it will save you a lot of time much more consistent. I to have issues with a high RBC. My numbers are as of last b/w my test came back at 770 and i am on only 20mgs e3ds. The other members that said low dose is the way to go is the hot ticket IMO. It makes things less confusing to deal with. The best i can tell you is be diligent about B/W in the first year it will pay dividends in the long run. Here is the most important part find a DR that knows his shit that ####1 IMO... If he isnt he will make it a nightmare in that case dont do it.. IMO


TIM R

[Rusty11]

Yup. That's very low...about where I was when I began trt(50).
TR and bass summed it up well. I've not heard too much regarding pellets, so I don't know. Personally, I do well on a gel, but I would agree that injections are a great way to go.

[LT75]

I was at a total T level of 141 at age 37. Always tired with almost no desire for sex for a while sucked. Not to mention working out constantly and still getting fat.

[posvibeonly]

thank you all for your input. i am going to read up some more so i can talk with my doctor more and make sure he has the expierence with trt. i want to find more info in regards to implants but as it stands if i get put on a trt program i will go with injections. i forgot to mention that i am on thyroid medicine does this have any affect on my test levels.

[Shadow530i]

Depending on the cost you might wanna look at the sites sponsored lowtestosterone . Com as they are focused 100% on TRT and offer 100% comprehensive services for their patients. You literally just show up and they do the rest. Just something to think about.

[ZenFitness]

I did pellets and I 100% recommend injections over the pellets. Pellets are a money-making machine for doctors and don't allow for any manipulation of levels... it's a one shot fire and hope you hit the target, and then you decline from that target for three months. I do not recommend them at all... injections make a big difference.

[kelkel]

Great advice by TR and Bass above. Just make sure your doc will treat you will all three aspects if needed. That being test, HCG and an AI IF needed. Hopefully with an astute doc you can avoid the AI. Some can, some can't.

Make sure you read all the sticky threads above to self-educate. Write down a list of questions you have for your doctor and know the expected answer before you ask. If it's not what you feel it should be, ask why. Nothing worse that walking out of the office and saying crap, I forgot to ask this or that.....

Take copies of valid literature in to leave with your doc if need be. Many mainstream docs are not familiar with HCG other than the current "diet" craze.

Lastly, did they give you a reason for the low level? Age related, secondary, primary, etc?

[posvibeonly]

he did not say why he just showed me the report with the 208 circled. i did ask if me having a vasectomy had any bearing on the low t and he said not so much. other than my cholest being high and carrying extra 25#. i seem to be ok. although i did get quite discouraged when i started exercising 45 min. a day and really watched what i ate which was mostly veg and no meat for about 6 weeks and my weight did not change. it went down about 6# and came back up

[61er]

I did pellets and I 100% recommend injections over the pellets. Pellets are a money-making machine for doctors and don't allow for any manipulation of levels... it's a one shot fire and hope you hit the target, and then you decline from that target for three months. I do not recommend them at all... injections make a big difference.

I disagree regarding the decline. I've had three rounds of pellets. You feel great for months. Guesswork is minimal. 12 pellets sounds like a standard regimen. Round three was not without issues. (I'll write this up in a separate post.) I recommend you give this a try.