TRT Did I make the right decision?

[Kenny357]

I'm now 37 almost 38 and in just the past year I have noticed several symptoms of low t. I have been into fitness and dieting right for about 4 years now. Prior to that I did not take very good care of my body. I've been dieting to raise natural t to little effect. This Monday I went to a low t doc and got tested. They give you total t and PSA in the office and I have to wait a couple days for the full blood work. My total t was 303ng/dl with normal 350-1000 and my PSA is 1.4ng/ml with normal being 4.0. They said I qualified for treatment and I chose to take 200mg of test cyp.. I feel good about my decision but am a little worried about long term pinning once to twice a week for the rest of my life. Also I was not prescribed anything else. Does that come later?

[balin]

4.0 is usually not the norm for PSA. It is usually 0-4. And an FYI the lower the number the better. PSA is used to detect cancerous prostates. Most DR.'s prescribe T only and nothing else. What were yo hoping to get. Usually a good DR will re-evaluate you in a few weeks and monitor yo before they decide on whether your E2 is t high or not.

[Kenny357]

Right on. I've been a little confused by all the information/misinformation/remedies on the inter webs. Just wanting to make sure my doc is on track. I don't know enough to know if I need/want anything else. Still a little nervous but whether placebo or not I feel a difference already and at the point I'm at, I'll take what I can get.

[Baxter35]

Be careful with clinics that start out at 200mg/week for all patients (which often leads to additional scripts to combat side effects). 200mg is a high end dose and few people need that much. It's more advised to start at 100mg/wk and work up if needed based on blood work. Also, has there been any discussion into trying to find the cause for your low T? It may well be just age related, but it's best to rule out other causes first. Either ask some more questions at the clinic or look into finding a doc in your area with experience in hormones.

[Kenny357]

I go in Monday to discuss the results of the blood tests. I'll make sure to ask some more questions. I probably leaned on them for a high dose or at least they may have taken it that way. I am very active and try to be in the gym 4-5 days a week. I would go 5-6 if I was single. 1 of my biggest complaints is that I'm running low on fuel both in the gym and afterwards. Would they possibly have taken that into account when prescribing my dose? They are going to be following up with a 150mg/week dose until the next BW. Should I request 100mg?

[Proximal]

I'm now 37 almost 38 and in just the past year I have noticed several symptoms of low t. I have been into fitness and dieting right for about 4 years now. Prior to that I did not take very good care of my body. I've been dieting to raise natural t to little effect. This Monday I went to a low t doc and got tested. They give you total t and PSA in the office and I have to wait a couple days for the full blood work. My total t was 303ng/dl with normal 350-1000 and my PSA is 1.4ng/ml with normal being 4.0. They said I qualified for treatment and I chose to take 200mg of test cyp.. I feel good about my decision but am a little worried about long term pinning once to twice a week for the rest of my life. Also I was not prescribed anything else. Does that come later?

I think you made a great decision - but I am basing that upon my personal experience. I am older, have been doing TRT for 5 months now and have never been happier. There are some resident experts on the forum who will be pitching in with very expert advice but I will add my .02 if that is o.k.

I agree with info mentioned above in posts:make sure you get the proper blood work, and 200 mg. does seem high - at 150 mg. my T shot up over a 1000, very quickly. You definitely want to know what is causing your low T, because yes, there is a strong possibility you will be doing this for life and you want to be very comfortable with your decision and the comfort will come from having as much knowledge as possible. Speaking of which, check out what has been discussed on the forum previously - this great bunch of members is fantastic in their level of knowledge and helpfulness. I've also been helped with a few books that are out on the subject. Best wishes.

[kelkel]

Find the cause of your Low T. Do not simply accept that your T is low and use it as a band aid while ignoring the actual cause.
When it comes to books as Proximal mentioned, consider:

Testosterone for Life by Abraham Morgantaler
Testosterone, A Man's Guide by Nelson Vergel

[bullshark99]

you need to deceide quick if you are gonna take Kels advice^^^^^ and find the cause of the Low T. Once you start injecting it will be too late as you will be shutdown real quick.
Regarding dosage, 200 is high for most people, does not yield any additional benefits other than needing some ancilliaries to combat high E2 which clearly is not a benefit. Need to inquire about HcG if you don't want your boys to shrivel up. Also, an A.I if estrogen creeps.
Regarding them prescribing 200 because you are active and lift..... absolutely not.... they are in the business of making money.

[bass]

Be careful with clinics that start out at 200mg/week for all patients (which often leads to additional scripts to combat side effects). 200mg is a high end dose and few people need that much. It's more advised to start at 100mg/wk and work up if needed based on blood work. Also, has there been any discussion into trying to find the cause for your low T? It may well be just age related, but it's best to rule out other causes first. Either ask some more questions at the clinic or look into finding a doc in your area with experience in hormones.

nailed it.

[Kenny357]

What are some good questions I can ask the clinic I am going to? I will post the results of my BW Monday and if I choose to take another injection I'm going to request it be 100mg. I'm not too worried about shrinkage as I believe a little wouldn't hurt! lol I'm not against seeing another specialist but at the moment money is short so if the BW will give some more adequate answers to satisfy my questions I'd be happy. I'm all about natural cures when it's an option but I've honestly come to a point where I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall. I've been able to get modest results with diet in the past but it's just not working lately. Thanks for all the input. I do appreciate it. Color me corrected in my old way of thinking about steroids and those who use them.

[bass]

What are some good questions I can ask the clinic I am going to? I will post the results of my BW Monday and if I choose to take another injection I'm going to request it be 100mg. I'm not too worried about shrinkage as I believe a little wouldn't hurt! lol I'm not against seeing another specialist but at the moment money is short so if the BW will give some more adequate answers to satisfy my questions I'd be happy. I'm all about natural cures when it's an option but I've honestly come to a point where I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall. I've been able to get modest results with diet in the past but it's just not working lately. Thanks for all the input. I do appreciate it. Color me corrected in my old way of thinking about steroids and those who use them.

unfortunately there is no natural way to get your Test levels to normal. and as far as shrinkage its not like you'll shrink 15% and stop, shrinkage will continue until your sack is empty, nothing but skin. i wouldn't take that chance.

[Justice4all]

...I feel good about my decision but am a little worried about long term pinning once to twice a week for the rest of my life.

I know that thought of feeling good again is exciting and hopeful but just know that you will get there.
Take your time though to get there right like the others have said already and find the cause first.
Once you know the cause then you won't have to worry or feeling bad about about pinning long term if that is the solution.
I'm about where you are right now and here is the choice I see, would I rather live a mediocre life daily feeling bad for the rest of my life or occasionally question the thought of pinning long term and feeling normal and possibly even really good the rest of my life?

[Kenny357]

I was unaware that the shrinkage would continue. I will definitely inquire about HcG. Thanks!

[Kenny357]

I know that thought of feeling good again is exciting and hopeful but just know that you will get there.
Take your time though to get there right like the others have said already and find the cause first.
Once you know the cause then you won't have to worry or feeling bad about about pinning long term if that is the solution.
I'm about where you are right now and here is the choice I see, would I rather live a mediocre life daily feeling bad for the rest of my life or occasionally question the thought of pinning long term and feeling normal and possibly even really good the rest of my life?

Life ain't much fun if you ain't livin! I've felt lately like it's either go to the gym or go fishing when even just last spring I did both in the same day. I'm so wiped out after working out, all I want is to eat and take a nap but I can't sleep. It's really gotten frustrating! I guess I got a little anxious the other day but I am going to try to get down to causes.

[kelkel]

If you're worried about long-term pinning when it's time for TRT inquire about Aveed if you're in the states or Nebido if across the pond. It's the longest estered testosterone and you basically get a shot every 8-10 weeks once stable and based on BW. Anyone can handle that.

[Proximal]

Life ain't much fun if you ain't livin! I've felt lately like it's either go to the gym or go fishing when even just last spring I did both in the same day. I'm so wiped out after working out, all I want is to eat and take a nap but I can't sleep. It's really gotten frustrating! I guess I got a little anxious the other day but I am going to try to get down to causes.

Kenny, first off, find out what is going on regarding your T levels and your energy levels. There are many culprits for each. Then once you know, your mind should be better at ease.

Then in the mean-time, check out a variety of threads in the forum here, trust me, this group is smart and health conscious.

KelKel mentioned a couple of books, here's a third - "Testosterone Replacement Therapy Manual" by Jay Cambell. The books are well-written and easily understood - that is they are not meant for professionals, but for the every-day guy.

Then after all is said and done, really think about your priorities. What do you really want the T for and are you willing to put up with all of the ancillary stuff:

* Possibly using an aromitize inhibitor to keep estrogen down (not likely with low doses of T).

* Possibly using hGh to maintain sperm count and prevent testicular hypertrophy (I've been playing around with 325 mg. for a 8 week stint and I still have no shrinkage, but at my age, I could care less about sperm count).

* Regular blood tests (check out threads, I personally am doing them every 2 months).

* Donating blood if your hematocrit levels increase too much (just did my first today - which is why I have so much time on my hands now).

There is subcutaneous injections that are perhaps more user-friendly as well. I personally thought long and hard about it all, and 6 months in, I have absolutely no regrets, having the time of my life. Sorry for being long-winded, have a good one!