Testosterone Levels and Replacement Targets

I did HRT a few years ago. My levels were a little over 300 when I started and the doc said he cant prescribe anything for over 300. A male clinic popped up in our area so I gave it a try. I did an injection every 2 weeks of test. but I also did an estrogen blocker and some pill that kept my nuts working weekly. I got up to 1000 but felt no different. I asked the rep and he said it could take up to a couple months before you feel results. I didn't feel much at the 5 month mark so I stopped. It was close to a grand out of pocket for the 5 months with little return so I stopped.

I started on T treatment after my GP tested me and found really low T level. He sent me to a Urologist who prescribed a paste I use to put on my inner thigh everyday. Fast forward a couple of years and I got with the VA and they would only provide me with the shots which I gave myself. 200mg every two weeks. Well after doing that for about 3 years still never had a good T reading. 425 per the VA blood work. Recently went to a clinic that specializes in low T and other issues, recommended by a friend and they ran a test a week after I gave myself a half dose because the 2 week thing wasn't doing it for me and my level was down to 125. I now went with the pellets injected in my butt cheek. Not a pleasant feel for the last few days but hope to get up around the 800 mark. Will know more in about 6 weeks when I get tested again. Lots of guys I have spoken to have gone with the pellets as far as convivence and maintaining a higher consistent T level.

“No doctor needed.”

I want to go to my doctor though; she is 6-2 and I get a warm fuzzy feeling in my groin area every time I go to see her. She touches me a lot while checking me out and one day I’m hoping for her to happily misplace her hand intentionally.

Just sayin’.

~Allen

I really got to proof read better! The lab will draw blood and email results. I know guys who go up to 2-3000 range on test. Now that's not trt of course. And once you go high. Yeah you pretty much are shutting yourself down 100%. And of course need a ai like arimidex or aromasin. Maybe letro or caber if your gyno prone.

Yeah. With test to high sex drive becomes a job. I'd jack off 3 times a day. And still attack my wife when she got near me. Lol after awhile it's like "damn, this is becoming annoying !" I'd guess I'm around 900-1000 at the moment. I'll have my labs checked soon. You can do it yourself online. Pay to have them checked. And go to local lab. They'll stay and email results. No doctor needed.

Mayhem, metabolism was probably the culprit. If your T levels are too high, you have all kinds of nasty stuff waiting to happen, including types of blood issues.

~Allen

Do higher testosterone levels equate to higher sex drive? I know as a kid mine was off the wall and I couldn't gain weight to save my life. Wish I knew what my natural levels were back then.

Yeah I saw that as well. At that level, there may be some permanent damage being done.

"My last blood work tested at 1550 on 250mg test c a week."

HOOOOO...…...LEEEEEEE FUUUUUUCKIIIIIIIIING WOW!

Hey guys, new here and do self prescribe trt. My last blood work tested at 1550 on 250mg test c a week. So I dropped down a notch.

Just mostly a bump for the thread subscription.

Like Toby Keith says, "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once, as I ever was".

I'll bring this topic up with the Doc when I have my next annual physical. Thanks!

I get up to 11 pellets placed in my butt every 5 months or so. I'm pretty active so it uses it up a little quicker. It definitely make a difference in the gym and my overall energy level, but as far as sex, well, it does help with the libido but not much difference in erections. Back in the day when I was in bodybuilding competitions and on steroids, it was a different story. I could have sex, climax, and keep right on going into the next climax, then, 10 minutes later be ready to go again. Guess youth plays a major role, but then again my T level was probably through the ceiling too.

Has anyone had any success with bioidentical T replacement? They insert a pellet and I believe it lasts for about 6 months.

I would love to hear stories of its success/side effects, etc.

@SCOTTYZ

I think you need to add that the doctor needs to not only know the T-levels, but also all the other ancillary values that move because of taking testosterone. At 900, you may be pushing the line to having heart damage.

I started with gels. Levels were around 225. Got to around 400 and my gp said great your cured. I however, didn’t want just the tired feeling to go away.
So I found a naturopath that does biote. It’s a pellet delivery that I get once every six months. I stay around 900 and am loving life. I feel when they start to dwindle around month 5.
They key is having a doctor that actually studies t-level treatments and really know what they are talking about.

" look for a pituiary microadenoma"

I do believe he is referring to prolactinoma, which can cause vision problems and headaches as well due to pressing on the optic nerve. It almost always goes undetected in males until it is a macroadenomas, greater than 10mm; <10mm is microadenoma and most likely going to relate to being female based. Just a thought on this subject, there are also many other things that cause an upswing in prolactin levels, not just a prolactinoma; with testicle atrophy and visual field cuts ,ie peripheral loss, it is likely that it could be hyperprolactinemia. Check your list of symptoms for each and have your doctor test you anyway.

~Allen

Excellent suggestion on the w/u of low T and the need for evaluation to look for a pituiary microadenoma. I have a small (unilateral) visual field cut, which should prompt a look-see if the T continues to fall. I was ill recently and required hospitalization, and I asked my doc to get a follow up set of labs once I am 'fully recovered'--this will be around St. Patrick's Day, we'll look at the data and go from there.

“You may not feel as jacked as the replacement therapy, but you also won't have the side effects.”

That has to be the dry humping.

:-D

~Allen

Have them check your prolactin levels, a benign pituitary tumor will cause it to be high, your T levels will plummet, testicles will shrink dramatically. A bromocriptine pill shrinks the tumor and everything returns to normal. You may not feel as jacked as the replacement therapy, but you also won't have the side effects.

Thanks again for these important updates. My next T level is scheduled for mid-month, and it will determine whether I start replacement Rx. The symptoms of low T are there; at the same time I want to make sure that my physician and I are working with data.

I have given myself weekly injections of Testosterone Cypionate for about 3 years. I test in the 900 range on a 0.5ml intra muscular injection. My testicles have shrunk significantly, but everything still works ok. One thing I did notice was a little acne if I inject the full amount, but this goes away if I lower my dosage to about 0.4ml. Oh, I have to donate blood every other month to keep my red cell counts in range.

Not sure if this solves any problems but I did notice that testosterone patches are available.

It worked for me I was at 275 and now at800 it changed my life

Again, thanks to all. The recent posts to this thread reconfirm the importance of a partnership between patient and physician towards optimal dosing, an optimum which is both subjective (how one feels) and objective (physiologic responses and measured levels).

Can't beat injections, one of the things I see is that many of the men and women who use rub on gels don't think of is that some of it rubs of on your shirts and you don't get the full dosage. Also many come in different mgs, I've seen 10mg, 20 mg , 30 mg and 50mg, I never used gels, but train at the gym where many guys do. Why not go for the injectables where you know your getting 200mg/mL once twice a week?

For those that say cancer, find one proven case! Not one person has died from roid use, do you blood work and you'll be fine, red blood cells get too high, easy....donate blood every couple of months, plus it's good for you anyway.

Types of testosterone commonly used here are Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate and if you can find it or get it from your doctor Sustanon 250.

As for rubbing the gel off on you female half, don't forget or for those that don't know, women too have testosterone. I personally know of a female who was on 12.5mg of testosterone a week and she was in her mid 30's.

Normal range for men is 348- 1197 ng/dl...…and women 15-70ng/dl. Find your ideal numbers...….GO FOR OPTIMAL, NOT AVERAGE!!!!