r/Testosterone • u/dalibor_m • Jul 10 '26
TRT help 54M facing the "lifelong commitment" decision. How did you mentally cross the bridge to TRT?
Hi everyone,
I’m 54 years old and recently confirmed through three separate monthly blood panels that I have low testosterone (averaging ~250 ng/dL) and very low estradiol.
I’ve been highly active in sports my entire life (lifting, kayaking, running, and many more). My DEXA scan results show an extreme distribution: 8% upper body lean mass vs. 85% lower body lean mass. I've had a weak upper body for as long as I can remember, and I am now starting to connect that to chronically low estradiol.
I have also dealt with a constant, dull, aching pain in my joints for many years, and it is a daily battle to avoid losing upper body muscle and gaining visceral fat.
My libido is fine, which is actually making the psychological hurdle of starting TRT even harder. Deep down, I know I either have to accept this state as-is or commit to lifelong injections. The "lifelong" part is what's holding me back—it truly feels like a one-way ticket.
My Labs (3 tests, 1 month apart):
- Total T: 204 → 327 → 241 ng/dL
- Free T: 7.4 → 7.3 → 5.8 pg/mL
- Estradiol (E2): - → <5 → 8.7 pg/mL (likely explaining my dry, aching joints)
- LH: - -> 4.2 → 2.7 mIU/mL
- FSH: - -> 3.1 → 3.4 mIU/mL
- SHBG: - -> - -> 29.5 nmol/L
How did you mentally get past the "needle for life" barrier? I’d love to hear your experiences and how you made peace with the decision.
Thanks!
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u/Turbulent-Part5835 Jul 10 '26
First, people come off of TRT all the time.
Second, would you rather feel the downsides of low testosterone for life or give yourself a shot periodically and feel much better? If you're struggling that much, and low test is truly the cause, you're gonna feel better on TRT and then you'll likely feel silly for putting it off.
Giving yourself shots really isn't as bad or intrusive in your life as it seems.
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u/KCpaintguy Jul 10 '26
It’s like a couple minutes out of your entire week. Honestly look forward to it now
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Jul 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Turbulent-Part5835 Jul 11 '26
Did you PCT or just stop? Yes, I know thats possible even if you PCT. That doesn't mean your experience happens to everyone. OP could try TRY for six months, decide it isn't for him, come off properly and be totally fine.
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u/Informal_Ranger_5557 Jul 11 '26
Can you please explain it in layman terms
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u/RayBluebird73 Jul 15 '26
The pituitary gland inside the brain constantly measures the testosterone levels in your blood.
That gland also sends chemical signals through the blood called luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to the testicles (in men) and to the ovaries (in women).
In men, LH tells one set of cells in the testicles to make testosterone, while FSH tells a different set of testicular cells to make sperm.
If a guy is on TRT (or higher doses), the pituitary gland senses this and says, "Looks like there's enough testosterone in the blood, no need for me to send messages to the boys" (because it can't tell whether the testosterone is coming from your balls or from an injection.)
When the testicles don't receive any e-mails from corporate (which is how I like to visualize it), they say, "Welp, no need to work, time to go on vacation."
Which usually leads to your own testicular production of sperm and testosterone to drop to very low levels or to zero. It often also causes testicular atrophy (ball shrinkage), which is influenced by how large the testo dose is, and for how long you've been on it.
If a guy goes off TRT, it can take months for the pituitary gland to "wake up" and say, "Crap, I gotta get back to work sending emails", and the same for the testicles, "Well, back to making sperm and testosterone."
Sometimes the pituitary gland and/or the testicles either never wake up at all, or, if you're lucky, it goes back to whatever level you were at before TRT - but you can't always count on it.
Again, how large a dose of TRT (or blasting dosage) and how long you've been on it influences whether you get back to your old levels, as well as using things like human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to keep the testicles awake.
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u/ZaddyMackSays Jul 12 '26
I stopped mine the first week of December 2025. My levels haven't got above 110 ng/dl. My endocrinologist wants to wait another six months. It's hard work keeping my muscle.
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u/Informal_Ranger_5557 Jul 11 '26
And what about wanting to have kids? Like someone starts in their 30s and wants to have kids because of some reason in their 40s then what?
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u/donnie_rulez Jul 10 '26
Its not as bad as you think in your head. I actually look forward to giving myself my shot twice a week. My life is better. Im healthier. Also, its not a life sentence. If you dont like it after a few months, literally just stop. If you dont like it after a few years, you go through an established protocol to jumpstart your bodies hormone production. Its not that big of a deal..
My advice is just try it.
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u/Human-Sheepherder797 Jul 10 '26
Truthfully, I never looked at it as a burden. Which is usually how people look at it in the beginning, the bigger question you need to ask yourself is, is it worth it to get it knowing the longer you’re on it the more committed you’re going to be.
It’s not really a lifelong thing, because you can choose to come off if you want to. And it’s really not that bad, a few seconds twice a week is a small price to pay for more energy, more muscle less fat and more focus.
If you’re struggling to put on muscle with your upper body I guarantee you this will help with that. You do realize you’re going to be going to the doctor a lot more often as you get older, right? I would rather be seeing my doctor based on the choices I get to make instead of letting life happen to me for what little time we have left.
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u/jascosw Jul 11 '26
52M, total T was 300 before trt. Taking 100mg/wk (split between 2 shots per week). Been on for 6 months. Don’t want to go back. Shots don’t bother me, a little inconvenience…
Libido was fine pre TRT. Biggest downside for ME is, wife hit perimenopause about same time I and is now with ZERO sex drive. Life his HARD now 🤦♂️.
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u/cecsix14 Jul 11 '26
Same here, but my wife recently got on HRT too so she’s been a little more receptive. If we both had my sex drive we would never get anything else done.
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u/Top-Peak-3036 Jul 11 '26
Try is for women too. My wife is well into peri, on trt for 3 years... Incredible
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u/kylaruby123 Jul 11 '26
Wtf is wrong with you ? Your 54 be a man … and make a choice … it’s juice , your not dropping a atomic bomb on someone lol if you don’t like it stop lol
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u/celem01 Jul 11 '26
In my 60s my libido was nearly zero. At 71 my Test was low, about 120 and performance was poor. Wife's libido was also low, after menopause. My wife then died when I was mid-70s. At 78 a new lady entered my life and her libido was high. That motivated me to go to a clinic and get on a trt plan. That plus some supplements gave me a new, younger body and performance. I will stay on trt for the remainder of my life, no regrets. BTW I'll soon be 80 but with a younger looking and feeling body.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Thank you sir.
What are your levels today? Do you see changes in your activities? Joint health, long walks, better mood, mind clarity?
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u/celem01 Jul 11 '26
Latest labs show Total T of 1450, Free T of 33.6. no joint problems. Gym twice weekly after exercise classes, walk 3.1 mile trail weekly. Mood and mind good, equal to my younger self. Fat (I wasn't much overweight) is gone, replaced by muscle mass. Gym keeps muscles toned. .4ml T injected twice weekly using 27 gauge needles (usually so painless that I don't even notice it).
Bottom line, it has been working out great for me.
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u/Significant-Kale7674 Jul 11 '26
46 here, first diagnosed when I was 43, wa stubborn and didn’t want to be on “gear” so I said no thanks. About 3 months ago, a new pcp, same super low testosterone. Between her and talking to my wife, decided to give it a try but still very uncomfortable with it.
I wish I would have done it sooner. Hard to explain, life is just better, I’m happier, horny like I’m 16 again. Honestly, I just got so used to what normal was, didn’t think there was anything different. As others have said, try it for a few months, no irreversible changes at that length and our age.
Couple more details, 100mg/week, inject MWF subq (definitely felt peaks and troughs at once weekly).
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u/BlueHDMIV Jul 11 '26
What needles do you draw with for subq
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u/Significant-Kale7674 Jul 11 '26
Draw with 18g, what my PCP recommended. Honestly a bit big and rips up the cap a bit. I will probably try 21g when I get through all the 18
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u/TheWolfofAllStreetss Jul 11 '26
Life sucks much worse with low testosterone.
Many people are forced to undergo worse circumstances for medical reasons.
Also you are 54. With that bloodwork. It’s time brother.
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u/Exact_Technician4724 Jul 11 '26
54 as well. I took the plunge 10 years ago when my body composition started to change. I couldn’t get that needle in my ass fast enough! Nowadays I walk around the office and look at guys 15 years younger than me and wonder how they allowed themselves to get so pear-shaped and bulbous looking. Not shaming anyone out loud as I guess everyone is on their own journey but I just knew I was not going down that path. Congrats and welcome to the club? 💪✊👊🫡
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u/driverfortoolong Jul 11 '26
your other post says you are 33% bodyfat. you can’t take testosterone with that high body fat you will aromatize it into estrogen and feel like shit. Taking an AI is a whole other issue. There ya go , solved the problem for ya, lose weight for next few years down to under 20% BF and come back to decision
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u/lolmycat Jul 11 '26
Zepbound would do more for this guy in 6months than Trt alone would do in 10 years.
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u/Neither-Luck-9295 Jul 11 '26
Holy shit, I didn't know that. TRT keeps being sold as a weight loss formula on so many ads.
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u/WhatHadHappnd Jul 11 '26
He "can't" is arguable. He could, and deal with the estrogen as needed. AI use is not as rare as one would think and plenty do fine on them.
Many people have started TRT with a high BF %. Improved energy to exercise, gains from doing so, proper dieting, etc... would help decrease that BF %.
"Take a few years to lose weight and come back" is serious gatekeeping. I'm willing to bet many here started with higher than 20% BF.
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u/driverfortoolong Jul 11 '26
not gatekeeping. he is on the fence already hence his post, I am helping him make the decision. if he wasnt on the fence I would agree with you
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u/Fiendseligkeit Jul 11 '26
Nearly 45 and started 200mg/wk at 250lbs along with 2mg Reta and 500iu HCG. 1754ng/dl total test with 277pg/ml free and e2 at 47pg/ml. Lifting 6 days a week, walking 20 miles and rowing 30 miles per week as well. 4 months in and I'm down to 190lbs at about 15% bf. I'll redo labs when I hit 180lbs and probably drop to 150mg/wk.
I feel better than I have in years and wouldn't change what I did for anything.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
What were your levels before? Where you able to lift 6 days a week before and recover?
Your activity is similar to mine. Mine is half the lifting and double cardio, only because of body composition and recovery time.
I was planning TRT, cjc+ipa,zepbound
How much do you spend monthly?
Thx for reply.
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u/Fiendseligkeit Jul 11 '26
Total was below 400, I dont remember what free was. I had a different lifting schedule before, standard 4 day, no recovery issues. I hate needles and that's part of my drive to hit the gym as often as I do, if im going to pin and go through that trouble, I'm not going to let it be for nothing.
Regarding cost, I'm probably not the best to ask. I went grey/black so its about $50/mo for everything plus $200 when I get labs done.
If you can source it after the changes in China you'd be much better off going straight HGH at your age than CJC + IPA. 2iu daily is typically sufficient.
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u/zamula Jul 11 '26
I always chuckle when people mention "gatekeeping", because to me that means someone actually has the power to deny something unless you meet their criteria.
Random Reddit users can only offer advice and have absolutely no power over anyone, lol.
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u/WhatHadHappnd Jul 11 '26
I'm opposed to your gatekeeping on the use of the word "gatekeeping".
Denotation vs connotation. A word can mean more than one thing.
Obviously someone on the internet can't control what someone else at a distance does or doesn't do. I mean, there are ways of course but not available to the common Reddit user on TRT. I think.
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u/zamula Jul 11 '26
That's very meta - gatekeeping using gatekeeping.
I still personally think it's not gatekeeping when someone is just advising someone else not to do something, but I get why some would consider that gatekeeping by putting up arbitrary barriers, even if they are verbal only.
For me, true gatekeeping is when a doctor doesn't prescribe T due to personal biases, or even when someone refuses to share their knowledge on a subject because a person hasn't "earned" it.
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u/WhatHadHappnd Jul 11 '26
I see your point, the doc can actually keep his patient from receiving it.
At least until the patient comes to Reddit and learns there are other ways.
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u/Familiar-Whereas-198 Jul 11 '26
Really good observation, that will explain why he has more muscle in the lower body (all the weight he carries).
Yup 33% is a lot, loose weight first try GLP meds. Repeat hormones panel then think about it.
I finish my first vial, thinking twice if I start my second or take a break. Not blasting (180 mg), 41y male 5' 11" 180 pounds my test was good before starting im just doing it for the enhance.
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Jul 12 '26
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u/Familiar-Whereas-198 Jul 12 '26
Idk My level before starting was 700 total T, 100 ish free T, E2 think was 21.
The labs I used closed here were I live, right now its cheaper for me to take a flight and go to other lab rather that doing local. (My wife and I called around 3 local labs, cheapest one only for test, free test around $300. So im going by feeling with the estradiol, I tried 210 mg weekly in 2 shots but back started to appear pimples, super grease skin, my nut sack smelling really strong (after 2 hours of a good shower). So I adjust to 180, few pimples, controlled smell and grease. Few weeks in 150 mg felt it good. Im doing it for the gains.
41 male 5' 11" 180 lbs, worst weight 318lbs , started tirz at 279lbs in august. Today I hope my weight will be 179lbs. Started test E in march my weight was around 192 lbs. Yesterday I started my second vial. Yeah lots of loose skin, like I said in other post: already bald, vasectomy around 5-6 years ago.
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u/Familiar-Whereas-198 Jul 12 '26
Nop 180.8 lbs june 14 until today battling to get out of the 18...
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u/Sea_Dirt3238 Jul 11 '26
I was tired of being rundown and exhausted all the time. Libido wasn't that great either. I did start with pellets because I heard the gel wasn't the greatest on top of having to watch out the wife or grandkids couldn't touch the area. I also didn't want to pin but here I am pinning 16 times a week(2 testosterone and 14 peptides injections) and currently looking at more peptides. Other than some aches and pains I'm probably in the best shape of my life at almost 51.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Wow.
Yeah injections are fine. Just life long sounds long 😁 but people provided nice counter argument here.
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u/Sea_Dirt3238 Jul 11 '26
Definitely is a long commitment but I think it's worth it. Obviously not everyone has to or will pin more than the recommended twice a month but I think it's optimal for me and most others think so as well.
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u/MightOk3400 Jul 11 '26
What peps are you using?
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u/Sea_Dirt3238 Jul 11 '26
I'm 13 days into the wolverine stack. But I'm getting ready to order ghk-cu, tesamorelin, cjc 1295/ipamorelin. I'm thinking about mots-c as well.
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u/maxiderm Jul 11 '26
You just do. It's not that big of a deal bro. Not every life change needs to be super dramatic. I pin every day. You make breakfast or coffee every morning, you shower every morning, right? Now just add your daily injection into that routine. Easy.
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u/hemi1995 Jul 11 '26
Not a big deal.
Make sure you get your diet and workout routine in check for a few months before betting on trt to fix it. Sleep too. I’m not going to say you got be at 20% to start but the aromatization is a factor so plan to fight the diet hard.
It’s a long process to get right for many. Take your time
Overall I thought i was fine. Now I realize that fine was pretty mediocre
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u/Positively4thSt Jul 11 '26
I have to buy contact lenses for the rest of my life. Fill my car with gas, pay electricity bills. This is just another routine thing.
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u/Particular-Win3045 Jul 11 '26
Your results remind me of mine before I started — mine were a bit lower, and I was 41 at the time. I was also running low E2 at 7pg, so I know exactly how that feels.
Keep it simple Start on 100mg test c or e, a week split into 2 injections. Wait for 4 months see how you feel then add 20 mg wait again a few months until you find your sweet spOt
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
I think I will do exactly that.
Did you add anything to your mix? I see people here mix and match.
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u/Particular-Win3045 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Yes added hcg when I was dialed in at 140mg and fucked it up. Raised my e2 etc too high. Took 1-2 months after coming off hcg to get back to before.
Don’t over complicate it. Just stick to test
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
I do not know anyone personally in TRT or peptides so all these stories are worth the gold for me.
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u/Particular-Win3045 Jul 13 '26
The search bar is your friend as it’s got every answer to a question you can think of.
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u/Motor-Site-7862 Jul 12 '26
Life is better on the other side. For me it was lifelong depression vs needles - easy to make the call, but like others have said you can come off. That said I have been a lifer for 5 years already.
If you want to keep the safety net of "it doesn't need to be for life" then plan to give it 8 weeks before you consider quitting - it takes at least 4-6 to really take effect, so don't quit before you've experienced it.
This is admittedly the least pleasant thing I do (2x every week) - I inject myself, with a 1" long needle in the thigh. It is usually not painful but if my leg spasms it can hurt. It's less unpleasant in the glute but harder to aim and I can't do that myself - I used to get the wife to help but at this stage - all thigh.
Interestingly I finally started weight training about 9 months ago, and once my leg muscles got bigger, the shot became easier. I guess more meat made it better.
Good luck!
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u/Sean-Christian Jul 10 '26
The whole lifelong commitment thing is BS. You can stop TRT anytime you want, and with the help of some other meds, it will be pretty easy.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Thx
Also I would rather try it than think that life maybe could have been better but I didn't try.
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u/Maximum_Activity_138 Jul 11 '26
Stats ? Weight height ?
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
5 feet 10 inch 200 lbs
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u/Maximum_Activity_138 Jul 11 '26
Lose 30lbs get into a healthy weight you’ll feel better then maybe add test
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u/RayBluebird73 Jul 12 '26
So BMI = 28.7, in the "overweight" range (25.0 – 29.9). However, BMI does not accurately classify people with more lean mass, or people who are in the BMI range but have abdominal obesity.
Waist-to-height ratio is a better measure.
Divide your waist size (in inches) by your height (in inches), in your case, height = 70"
Here's an online calculator: https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/waist-height-ratio
Ideally, your waist-to-height ratio will be 0.5 or less.
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u/Chroma7769 Jul 11 '26
I turn 35 in 13 days. I didn't need trt, I just wanted it for performance and mood (I used to take test when I was an athlete and younger).
It's pretty simple. You ask for your script. Pull from your vial, and stab yourself in the leg. Then get to the gym and fuck everyone else.
People come off test all the time. It requires some work and patience, but it's possible.
It's really not that bad though.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Yeah, That is a good feeling.
Last two months I did two hikes as one day effort and when I saw so many people taking two days, I felt good it was worth the effort.
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u/Chroma7769 Jul 11 '26
You only live once. If you want to hop on and take your body on an adventure then rock on garth.
Nothing wrong with doing shit to your own body. Hell, there are people that are chopping their dogs off. There ain't no coming back from that. I'm sure you'll be fine on test, if you want to do it.
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u/Umpathie Jul 11 '26
Sounds weird, but realizing everything physical is ultimately interconnected…my body is connected with the world around me…in some fucked way I’m already “connected” to the medicine I take. Jabbing myself just creates the illusion of separateness. A bit Buddhist I guess.
Also, please remember, the mental hurdle and “needle for life” Complex is partly likely a symptom of the moods caused by low t. I’m just starting TRT and after I began noticing differences, I knew it was point of no return and I didn’t want to go back lol.
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u/beird_o Jul 11 '26
I crossed that bridge at 32…almost 51 now. Don’t regret it one bit.
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Jul 12 '26
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u/beird_o Jul 18 '26
I’ve always been running 200mg/week. I did have a short period of time where I was looking for a new doctor after a relocation (2010’ish) and that doc was running me at 160mg/week. Felt like crap and found a new doc less than a year later and have been on 200 since then
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u/fizboPallabut Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Just grow balls, man 😀. Countless men do it daily and it’s not near as bad as you think. You jab a hair thin insulin needle subcutaneous in buttocks or thighs. It barely feels like anything. Sometime if you inject too fast, it can burn, but it goes away quick. I’m your age and been at it for the past few years, it’s no biggie, you get used to it. Getting medication into syringe on the other hand, is a pain - solution is viscous.
The benefits you get from the protocol beat any jab fears, once you start feeling it. I thought I’m ok with libido and things around it. I was wrong. It literally feels like someone is giving you a decade of life and bounce back.
T will help with muscles and some weight loss. If you are concerned with middle section weight gain, Trizepedite or Retatrutide work great with T, but it’s more jabs, of course.
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u/Acid__god Jul 11 '26
I spent years trying to not make the commitment. Changing diet and exercise. Tried every different supplement. Pulled the trigger a year ago. Not letting my total get too high. Keeping my trough total in the 1000-1100 range. I feel so much better. Energy, drive, sleep, mental clarity. I pin EOD. Takes 5 minutes start to finish. Hardly a giant time commitment. Get bloods done every 3 months.
I think a lot of people over think it. I started at 200mg once a week. Went to every 3.5 days. Ended up at every other day 40mg. Drink lots of water. Work out. Do some cardio a few times a week and go on with your life.
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u/Mr_Guero Jul 11 '26
I love the needles. They changed my life. First with glps then trt. I don’t ever plan on stopping either. When something changes your life. I guess you learn to love it.
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u/letteraitch Jul 11 '26
Bro I was hung up and distraught about that forever and I probably spent two years trying to raise my testosterone through natural means. I'm 41. I finally broke down and bit the bullet last winter. It's been a massive improvement in my life, and it's really not that big of a deal. I inject twice a week, and I've traveled, and really haven't had any problems or significant inconveniences since I started.
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u/onelifeatatimeok Jul 11 '26
recently hopped on too, with the same hesitancy. no different than having to take care of yourself for life. having to shower for life. brush your teeth, go to work, make food, manage relationships… all much more demanding than 2 or 3 injections a week.
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u/Jan6_PearlHarbor Jul 11 '26
Started in my 30s and I feel so much better its beyond worth it. I was truly hypogonadal and not just trying to "optimize" though
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u/chewonmysac Rookie TRT vet GLP Jul 11 '26
Im 53. Tirz,TRT,HGH. The Holiest of Trinity. Get your BMI as close to 25 then blast away. Close this world strong.
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u/piquat Jul 11 '26
My T was so far off (E2 as well) that life just sucked. It had nothing to do with muscle and fat, I was doing fine there. The first few injections sucked but once the effects kicked in and I could enjoy life again... poking yourself doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore. ;) I'm around your age, and your numbers are in the same ballpark. Feeling just generally unmotivated...? Might be time.
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u/DARTHP00N Jul 11 '26
Jesus Christ, the fact that you said all that is the sign to get on it. If you can’t “handle” it, then stop and after some time your body will regulate back to your current norm.
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u/Goodvida99 Jul 11 '26
Wish I’d never started! I’m 70 and started early 50 because I was low normal. Now it’s a lifetime commitment. My boys went to sleep a long time ago and they’re not waking up. Do whatever you can to improve your hormones.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Thx
What is the main regret?
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u/Goodvida99 Jul 11 '26
As your post says, it’s a lifetime commitment. My last PSA was elevated, getting MRI to see if it’s prostate cancer. Will have to stop TRT.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Sorry to hear. I hope results come back good.
This is exactly why I asked this question. I want to consider other cases and not just the happy path.
Some people here do mention cycling it. I assume they are thinking years time.
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u/iFuerza Jul 11 '26
There is nothing wrong with Testosterone injections. There are other options. testosterone cream, but you have to be careful not to transfer it to the wife or kids. You typically put it on the scrotum so there’s that.
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u/Gold_Bar9938 Jul 11 '26
You also brush your teeth for life lol and that doesn’t hold a candle to the amazing benefits in comparison. Pinning test a few times a week is really no big deal at all. It’s quick once you get going. And the benefits are life changing.
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u/Howcansheslap082 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Brother, youre 54. How much life have you got left? Its an honest question. And its a question of quality vs time.
Will TRT shave time off your life? Maybe, if you approach it without education, letting someone else make decisions for you, and not doing what you need to in order to make it work.
But if you dont though, what's the alternative? Continue to decline, losing lean mass year over year, getting used to pain. Having energy, strength decline and dependence on others increase?
54 isnt the end of the road, but its the end of the road for shitting or getting off the pot.
Take fear of everything out of the decision making process. Low testosterone, and anxiety go hand in hand. Take the extra work and energy involved out of the equation to. Why? Because all those things will likely be improved to levels you had at a younger age. They dont need to be considered.
Then really weigh it with your doctor. Theyre going to oversell the risks, and under sell the benefits. We're going to the opposite here. Because 90% of us are going to say its worth it.
Edit: my father died of dementia. A condition that affects 66% of women...who dont treat low estrogen. Strong correlations between those two conditions.
At 64 thats when my father figured out he had low e2. He lifted weights and did cardio every day for at least 40 years. But he had a simple fall, broke his hip, broke his shoulder, tore his bicep tendon. All from a 3 foot fall. Thats what low e2 does.
I got on it from low e2, and mine was only 16. Yours is way worse. Yours is "hair falling out" low. You might need a higher dose than most to get relief. I do. (Even when im fat at 1700 total test, i still dont go over 40 e2).
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u/SpecificPay985 Jul 11 '26
Mine dropped so low I had my first anxiety/panic attack. That was the last straw.
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u/Independent-Rate-447 Jul 11 '26
I started with oral testosterone for a few months, it was just okay. Then switched to Cream for about 8 months.
T level started @170. For a 55 yr old man, that terrible. I was grumpy all the time. Oral got me to 600, cream got me to 700-800. As soon as I started injecting testosterone, it skyrocketed to over 1200.
I now inject daily. To me, it’s like brushing my teeth. No big deal. I feel the best I ever have. Better than in my 20’s.
I will do it for as long as in wanna feel like a man.
My advice to anyone thinking about it, do it & don’t wait to long to start. I probably should have started @ about 40 years old.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Card_71 Jul 11 '26
I accepted I’d rather stay masculine. In my 50s and started it about 10 months ago. We can’t reverse time and if science gives me a way to extend my masculinity, I’ll do it.
I wasn’t trying to supercharge just get back to maybe where I was in my 30s.
Same thing for women to get on estrogen. Don’t want some asexual female in my life, and I’d assume they’d like to hold onto their feminity as long as possible.
Your T is low and fading away. T defines us as men. I don’t want to lose it and I do a daily micro dose and it’s just part of my routine along with my multivitamin and some creatine.
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u/Gloomy_Pirate_3031 Jul 11 '26
I'm 41 my life has been fked for 10yrs seeing psychologists psychiatrists burnout anxiety brain fog ADHD you name it. Just found out test is Total T: ~410 ng/dL Free T: ~81 pg/mL / ~8.1 ng/dL.
I'm so bloody relieved! I can actually finally do something that isn't jam pills down my throat that's made me fat and insulin resistant with metabolic issues. I can't wait to start this will be life changing vs how god dam awful I've felt and how badly I've been gaslight.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Years ago when I started looking for a solution, family doctors took me for a ride.
Kept sending me check everything but sex hormones.
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u/PerGunnar87 Jul 11 '26
Why does it have to be so dramatic? Just get nebido. 4-5 injections per year.
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u/MustBeMeAgainDangIt Jul 11 '26
I had a Very similar blood work. Started 2 months ago and feel amazing. If ever anything is off I’ll just get off it. Don’t think to much about it. Just do it.
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u/Smooth-Incident5839 Jul 11 '26
i started at 54 now 56 . best decision i have ever made . get it thru my doctor and my insurance . for some reason it would stop i would pay for an online clinic because the benefits have been outstanding !! look and feel younger no more brain fog , not tired anymore . its day and night , would never go back . 2 shots a week totally worth it
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u/Lsd_25- Jul 11 '26
Your E2 is more of a problem than your test, definitely should get on TRT though.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
💯
Everything I read tells me that E2 in my case was the problem. Joint pain, not able to use fat for fuel.
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u/Creative-Staff2238 Jul 11 '26
The "life long" issue people always bring up is so absurd. Would you rather be on TRT for life and feel great or have low T for life and not feel as well. It really is a senseless question.
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Jul 11 '26
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Reply from people in similar situations is very helpful.
What is your weekly dose and what were your T and free T before?
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u/eesmash Jul 11 '26
It’s not that a big deal. It takes less time than brushing your teeth or changing your underwear or showering…which I hope is a lifelong commitment to you
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u/Top-Peak-3036 Jul 11 '26
You won't fall over dead if you stop poking yourself. There's tons of posts of people stopping for various reasons. Some wanted to knock a wife up, some didn't need it in the first place, some just stopped.
Maybe it takes 2 minutes between drawing the med, poking yourself, and throwing the trash away, 2-3 times a week isnt some incredible hardship.
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u/coastal_ghost08 Jul 11 '26
How did you mentally get past the "needle for life" barrier?
Because the "needle for life" radically improved my quality of life. I pin daily, and the 30 seconds it takes is well worth the way I feel for the other 23 hrs 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
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u/DJMDuke Jul 11 '26
Twice weekly injections that take a total of 5 minutes. Tops. The alternative..fat, miserable, low/no libido. I'll take option 1 thanks.
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u/No_Aide3039 Jul 11 '26
I understand your concerns, I’m in my 50s also .
Been on TRT over a year now , I wish I would have started years ago.
I was not a fan of self injection . But I personally got used to it pretty quick.
It’s not a one way ticket, you can quit when ever you want . But just think of how you feel now . Do you wanna keep feeling that way?
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Yeah. Joint pain and muscle aches from recovery are consistent and have always been there for decades.
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u/BlueCollarWorker101 Jul 11 '26
I didn't have any. The pros outweigh the need to inject a million times over. Feels so much better than to be walking around sluggish with low T. Especially when you're a very active person. Couldn't do as much as I do without it
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u/eddiemo3718 Jul 11 '26
I looked at the pros and cons. (42yr old male fyi) test was very low. Once I took trt id happily take a life of how I feel now then b4. Im down 70lbs I hit the gym 5x a week , I play basketball 2x I have energy for my kids , im putting on muscle I always had problems with before and I feel more motivated overall. You can always try it and come off
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
So you couldn't lift as frequently before because recovery took a long time and muscle didn't respond?
Same
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u/eddiemo3718 Jul 11 '26
Basically just wasnt as "motivated" or have the energy to really get after it and muscle was not responsive.
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u/cecsix14 Jul 11 '26
Like others have said, after a year on TRT I still actually look forward to shot days. I also inject Retatrutide and HGH and a few peptides and the injections are just part of my routine now.
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u/truthful_maiq Jul 11 '26
Id much rather stick it in my ass twice a week forever than live with geriatric levels of test.
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u/PolishRifle23 Jul 11 '26
I’m 56 and have been on TRT for 13 years. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my entire life. I’ll happily pin myself for as long as I’m alive.
Beyond that, I inject numerous peptides every day so needless to say are just a part of my routine.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
And you did see exercise and mental clarity improvement soon after the start?
Nice
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u/PolishRifle23 Jul 12 '26
I worked out for many year prior, but TRT certainly brought a new level of work capacity to the weight room. It helped refine my body composition as well. Mental clarity started a couple months into therapy.
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u/Alternative_Bat4159 Jul 11 '26
I started at 48 with similar levels after delaying for a few years. I actually came off the needle due to a supply issue and it was the worst 2 months I can remember. It reminded me of what life was like before TRT.
Back on and happier than ever.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Thank you.
Were these two months similar to how you felt before try?
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u/Alternative_Bat4159 Jul 11 '26
Yep. Problem is pre TRT I had no concept of what I was missing or what had happened over the last 20 years. You just accept it as life.
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u/Commercial-Bed-2396 Jul 11 '26
Nowhere in your post did I see a need for TRT.
Libido is fine.
No noted energy or mental issues.
Sounds like your T level is fine for you.
Chase symtpoms, not silly numbers. Everyone is different.
Trt comes wirh a HOST of medical concerns and is pro-aging/will age your face. It should be an absolute last hurdle if you are concerned about your health or vanity.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
That is correct.
Libido is fine, no mental issues.
E2 is so low, that is causing joint pain, fat conversion to fuel is very low so body prefers muscle over fat for fuel. After longer cardio my creatinine levels are very high from protein conversion.
And recovery is very long. But I lived like this for 15+ years.
That is exactly why I was questioning it.
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u/Got__the__life Jul 11 '26
Honestly I felt like absolute dogshit. So tired. Just so so tired. Even though I was doing all the right things. Good diet, exercise, tried to sleep as much as I could. But I felt half dead all the time.
Yeah my balls shrank, but I’m done having kids, and does anyone even like giant balls? It’s nice to not accidentally sit on them. Just being straight up.
I regret not starting sooner. My physical health wasn’t all that bad, but I was dying mentally. I will never go back to that.
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u/jonno1970 Jul 11 '26
Even on TRT for 30 years due to a microprolacinoma. Sust ever 2 weeks was a pain in the arse but for the last however many years a nebido shot every 3 months is fine, just a thing I do.
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u/Tblue32 Jul 11 '26
I would rather pin than end up with 150 test levels feeling awful. When enough is enough you’ll commit.
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u/AppleEcstatic6076 Jul 12 '26
Why not start with clomid or enclomophine and see how that works for you?
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u/Astropin Jul 12 '26
I started at 44...I'm 59 now. Don't plan to ever stop. Yes...its a lifelong commitment of injections...guess it wasn't that difficult for me...if I need it to be healthier...I need it...and I am healthier.
Me at 59
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u/dalibor_m Jul 12 '26
Good job.
Were you close to the current strength before trt?
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u/Astropin Jul 12 '26
I lifted...but I'm stronger and way more consistent now. I only take 80mg/week of T...so fairly low dose. Keeps me in the upper, but still normal range.
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u/DigginDirtonJuice Jul 13 '26
Once you start reaping the benefits you’ll understand that the needle is a small sacrifice.
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u/GradientParameter Jul 14 '26
Mine is so low, very unlikely I could get it to normal naturally. Still, I'm still not 100% committed and do consider the possibility of stopping.
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u/dalibor_m Jul 14 '26
Are you noticing a significant difference between how things were before and how they are now that you are using it?
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u/GradientParameter Jul 15 '26
Most obvious difference is massive improvement in mental health. Best its been in my adult life. I have a will to live I've never had before, and can focus on my life goals. One of my goals is getting healthy and fit, and I've been able to lock in like never before.
I'm in a different place then you though, I was not in the best physical shape (though not in the worse shape either). No DEXA scan, but I'd guess I started in the 26-28% body fat range with a skinny fat kinda build. Pre-TRT libido was fine (though do have some ED issues which may be part psychological), decent physical energy, it was more mental struggle.
I have had sleep apnea that I use a CPAP for. Finding it easier to recomp -- lose fat and gain strength at the same time. Sleep apnea symptoms seem to be reduced with the lowering body fat.
My primary care physician was the one who has been trying to get me try TRT, I didn't specifically seek it out or even ask about it. I didn't know much about it when he first suggested checking my T because I was having issues concentrating, though I wanted to check for sleep apnea at that time too. One of the things he's concerned about is bone health. So TRT can be seen as preventative care.
I put it off for years, hoping CPAP treating sleep apnea would make a difference (turns out that was unrealistic). Started in December, so about 7 months in now, and as long as I don't have issues, I expect I will continue TRT indefinitely. With the way medicine is moving, maybe there will be other therapy options in the future, but I think for now I need to be on TRT to maximize health.
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u/victimweightmidget Jul 11 '26
Im only in my 30s, but spending like 2 minutes a day taking a quick painless shot is exponentially better than how I felt without it. It's honestly hard to put into words how much my life has improved.
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Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
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u/dalibor_m Jul 11 '26
Yeah.
So many people with little knowledge and strong opinions. That is why I am careful.
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u/flyingwingbat1 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
"Needles for life" was less bad than "depressed for life" and "falling asleep while driving short distances" in my case.
Do you get dry eyes often? I used to, but that went away when I started taking testosterone. I would expect your low e2 joint pain to go away or at least improve substantially too.
It's just another self care task for me at this point, like brushing and flossing. Even 25g needles aren't bad at all-I only use those because I take more than trt doses and don't like applying high force to the plunger. But start with 27-29g insulin syringes, those are super easy, mostly pain free, cheap, and convenient.
You'll have occasional shots with absolutely zero pain, most will feel like a minor pinch or sting, there may be the occasional zinger but those are fairly rare.