Complete newbie - Advice PLEASE !!!

[Lionofthetribe]

Hey all,

I could really use some help here please, I'm at my wits end right now. I'll try and be a succinct as possible.....I have been reading TRT related web sites for 2 weeks now and I am more confused then before I even heard of TRT. I'm having information overload at this point.

I'm a 45yo male, 6'2 280lbs and am fairly healthy except for being overweight by about 40-50 lbs

I am a big guy but not very muscularly defined and I would really like to be, I have been weightlifting very intensely for the past 3 months and do not have much to show for it in regards to size and / or definition. I have also changed my eating habits to a more healthy regimen and still can't lose weight - I also suffer from an incredibly low libido and ED. This sucks as I am crazy for my long term girlfriend and she has a wicked libido! I am really incredibly depressed over all this, it has been going on for years now.

I was recently tested for low T and the first reading came out with a level of 262, I then went for another reading and this time it came out to 440. My endo doc agreed to start me on TRT next week at my next appt. I am extremely excited and I want to make sure I do this the right way. If I can get it right the first time and actually see / feel results .... it would be a God send.

Can someone PLEASE give me a "TRT for dummies, easy to understand answer" to the following question(s)?

*Gel or Patch or injection? - I travel for work quite a bit so if it's injection I would need it to be self inject as I am out of town and away from home quite a bit.

* What is the maximum dosage I should start out on?

* I know the answer will vary greatly depending on the person BUT how long SHOULD it take generally for my libido to come back?

* How long before I may find out if my ED was a result of the LOW T?

* If I continue the intense weight lifting, how long before I should start to see results after starting TRT?

* Does TRT help with weight loss as well?

* I have also read that HGH coupled with the TRT and exercise will boost fat loss?

* Lastly, it feels like my doctor is hesitant on starting the treatment and is only doing so because he knows I will ultimately find a doctor who will if he doesn't. Please don't flame me over that last sentence. Its just that I know in my gut, it will help and at this point I am desperate for help.Can anyone suggest a doctor in the Brooklyn / NYC area who is competent, understanding and easier than other to start patients out on TRT?

Damn, I feel like I'm all over the freaking place here!!!

Can someone help a brother out? Please?!

Thanks.

[clarkster]

Welcome Lion. You're in the right place. The experts will be along shortly, but I think they're gonna want your blood work posted to get a better idea of where you are.

[Lionofthetribe]

Clarkster,

Thanks for replying.

Aside from a 262 level reading and 2 weeks later a 440 level reading, what other stats should I have disclosed. Honestly, those are the only numbers I concerned myself with when I met w my doctor. He told me he'll start me Tuesday and now I'm flooded with all this information online and don't know what to believe.

[rt12008]

I started TRT in March. It is very overwhelming. I usually read this blog daily. It is a process to get up to speed.

I like a few of the "stickys" on here. They are at the top of the forum.

I like

-Finding a TRT DR
-How long before the effects of TRT...
-Several of the overviews

I would try to tell you everything, but I am no expert. I suggest you start with the threads at the top of the forum to build your core knowledge.

I wish you all the best. I am finally starting to feel good. At the same time, it is a process.

[Beethoven]

Welcome Lion. You are absolutely in the right place. But, you're going to have to post BW as Clarkster said. There are a bunch of pros and really knowledgeable people on here. But BW is essential. Read the stickies in the meantime. Lots of valuable info there.

[Lionofthetribe]

Thank you very much for replying. I have the bloodwork results. So I don't give more info than what's needed, would you mind telling me what I should disclose in order to get the feedback I'm in need of?

Thanks again

[bigdippin]

Post up blood work. Did the dr check your thyroid?

[100%]

* What is the maximum dosage I should start out on? 50mg twice week

* I know the answer will vary greatly depending on the person BUT how long SHOULD it take generally for my libido to come back? Usually 3 weeks

* How long before I may find out if my ED was a result of the LOW T? Depends have you tried Cialis (tadalafil)

* If I continue the intense weight lifting, how long before I should start to see results after starting TRT? You are trying to loss weight so concentration on maintaining muscle while losing fat. Eat at a calorie deficit aim for losing at the most two pound a week.

* Does TRT help with weight loss as well? Does not actually burn fat but does aid in body composition by calorie partitioning

* I have also read that HGH coupled with the TRT and exercise will boost fat loss? Getting hormones balanced will make fat loss easier for sure.

[sparverius]

You should figure out why your T is low. It may be something that can be fixed. Natural hormones at a normal level is better than TRT. TRT is for life, it is difficult to go off once you have been on for a while.

Not knowing any better I went for TRT without doing the research or figuring out what was wrong. I'd have done different if I knew then what I know now.

[laser]

I recently started on TRT, my T was a lot lower than yours. (53yrs) I got fast results. Just everything that I had lost started coming back. Although, there are certain things you can look for to insure its not the placebo effect. For me I noticed facial hair growth. Had an Ulnar nerve transposition yrs back, and the nerve started itching, tingles,. Now that put a smile on my face I have not felt that in a long time-It means activation/nerve growth. My hand/arm immediately stopped cramping. Use to my hand would uncontrollably go into cramping spasms, almost break bones.

I am new here, and learning........the Vets will give you some advice........educate yourself.

[Lionofthetribe]

Thanks for that information and feedback. I appreciate it

Regarding my Bloodwork, there are a lot of stats here and I'm not sure what I need to post to get your advice but I'll start with these stats:

First test was basic and done by my GP doc:

Test: 268 ( no other info on the results were given to me )

Next read 2 weeks later:

Test: 443
Free test: 41.2
Androstenedione: 99 (44-190)
TSH - 1.54
FSH - 7.5
LH - 6.1
Prolactin - 2.3
Cortisol pm - 14.4
Cortisol am - 3.0
Hemoglobin - 5.5
Cholesterol - 183
HDL - 45
LDL - 122
Triglycerides - 78
Non HDL - 138

Does this help give any better insight?

I went for another test last week and will review with my endo doc on Tuesday. He said he will start me on trt, he just wanted one more test to see another set of results.

What's making me so God Damn anxious is the possibility of having a libido again, to be able to NOT have to use Little blue diamond shaped pills anymore as I suffer from ED. To be able to sleep a whole night again, to have the intense weightlifting workouts I do show some results....

I have so much faith that trt will help me. I just don't want to be let down if it ends up not helping any of these issues.

From what I've been reading it seems a once a week injection (not gel) may be the ideal way to go.

So confused.

Thanks for listening and offering whatever guidance you have.

[Lionofthetribe]

Um.... Hello? :-)

[rt12008]

You need to add the ranges. That helps the pros.