re: Low Testosterone...is this a real thing?

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I have to rub on Testim gel every morning.

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Screw that, I give myself shots every 2 weeks.

My story:

Was 45, went to an internist to have complete blood work done because I hadn't had one done in a while.Told him to screen for testosterone level also.

Blood work comes back, high cholesterol and low T. T level at my age is supposed to be 400-600. Mine was in the 120's. Doc prescribed me testosterone cypionate shots, half a mil every 2 weeks (1 mil/mo). After 4 months, went back and had test run again, levels had dropped to 90's. What little T my body was making ceased when I started supplementing. Upped dosage to 1 mil every 2 weeks and levels went up to 500's.

Benefits:

Muscle tone and energy levels increased dramatically. Sleep better and need less sleep. People who know me started asking if I had been working out, which I dont, but I do alot of manual labor at home (woodworking,yard work). No problems with weight gain whatsoever. No noticeable increase or decrease in sex drive, but I'm married, so.

Overall, feel it's been very beneficial to my health and lifestyle.

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Serious question, not trying to challenge you.... What are your long term plans? There's a chance you may have to stay on TRT forever, as your body down-regulates production of natural T. I know the data around this is a mixed bag, but there's evidence on both sides. Could you really do the shots for the next 40-60 years?

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I'll tell you this. I don't have long term plans, but i'd rather feel normal with a healthy sex drive at my age than worry about what i'll be like at 60. If it requires synthetic T, so be it. Costs me around 10 bucks a week for life changing results.

I am also on an estrogen blocker, and HCG. Not sure if the HCG does anything yet, but doc said it would keep my nuts from shrinking.

Folks that don't have issues with sex drive don't understand.

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FYI: My insurance would not pay for this test. I ended up paying 180 out of pocket.

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Insurance usually doesn't pay for it. Most clinics have a subscriber type deal. My uncle is an MD that has a testosterone practice and they charge $150/mo and that includes all tests, shots, office visits, etc. I was shadowing him and the waiting room was never empty. Every single patient that he saw for follows up that they said that it made them feel 20 years younger.

I'm trying to look up if they'll pay for the test. Can't figure it out yet

Edit: looks like it is covered

need to look up my insurance as well

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Same here, although I'm a little concerned with liver damage.

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I don't think injectable testosterone is toxic to the liver, particularly at the levels used with TRT.

What does need to be watched closely is your hematocrit level (red blood cells) which if elevated can lead to a greater chance of heart attack or stroke. (this was what my Dr told me)

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I don't think injectable testosterone is toxic to the liver

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I use the gel and get blood test done every 6 months. So far no issues with my blood work.

I just started Testim gel a week ago, how long till I feel a change?

When I first started taking Testim my fatigue graudally improved over a 2 week period. But, like any medication, you have to find the right medicine for your body chemistry. Testim works for me. Another gel my Dr. tried did not work for me.

As for a boost, it doesn't work that way. I was very fatigued....daily. I started taking Testim and that fatigue went away. So long as I take Testim I don't feel that kind of fatigue. It is different than the tired feeling you get from working or physical activity. So, I take Testim to maintain the engergy I have. On the other hand, if I skip a day the afternoon of the first day I skip I start noticing that sluggish feeling.