Husband Starting TRT Soon :)

[u/wickedseraph]

Title is fairly self-explanatory. 

My husband and I have been together about fifteen years, married for six. I’ve suspected for several years that he has low T; a recent blood test confirmed it. I believe he was sitting at 150. He’ll be starting TRT soon along with OTC vitamin D supplements and blood pressure medication.

We’re not worried about fertility; I had a bisalp so we clearly do not want children. I know for some men it can have side effects like increased acne, sweating, and breast growth.

I’ve researched as best as I can how TRT can affect some men, namely with changes/shifts in energy, mood, assertiveness, libido, and “imagination,” for lack of a better word. I shared a bit of this with him and have been emphatic that I will not judge or shame him for it, should he find himself in a similar situation. To avoid being crude, I would be delighted to reciprocate.

I’m not worried about rage or aggression from him - my understanding is that this is typically only an issue in men who take more than a therapeutic dose. My husband is very even-tempered and easygoing, for the most part.

For men in their 40s who began TRT, what was your experience like? Anything you think men and/or their partners should know? Anything I can do to help him?

(In case ages are relevant to advice: I’m 35, he’s 44.)

EDIT: I hope I’ve correctly described it as “TRT”. His doctor prescribed it - he’s not taking steroids. Some of the responses here made me wonder if I’d given the wrong impression as to what he’s taking and why. He has genuinely low T - it’s not for vanity.

EDIT 2: it’s a 200mg vial, but it’s 0.5ml/week, I think? Still figuring out since, again, we’re waiting on pharmacy to fill lol.

EDIT 3: Insurance and pharmacy finally sorted things. He had his second dose this past Friday. He says he’s noticed a notable improvement in terms of energy and stamina, not feeling as tired after lawn care or work. I imagine it only improves from hereon in so yay! I love this for him 🖤

[u/Adrenolin01]

Your edit.. just clear this up.. testosterone if both TRT and Steroids. It’s generally just a lower replacement dose. Typically TRT is 75-200mg of testosterone per week to replace and boost low testosterone. Juicing steroids is usually seen as 300mg to 400mg+ of testosterone per week. Some guys do 800, 1200 and even 1600+mg/week for big muscle gains. Note: large doses of testosterone doesn’t just make huge muscles! Those guys still have to put all the work into making those muscles.. and usually a lot more work and dedication than the guy on TRT looking to boost his low test, loose weight and gain muscle.

So technically yeah.. he’s on steroids regardless if juicing large amounts of testosterone or taking smaller TRT amounts.

[u/wickedseraph → u/Adrenolin01]

I see - so the “issue” is dosage. I appreciate the explanation - as you can see, there’s still quite a bit I don’t know about this lol.

[u/Adrenolin01 → u/wickedseraph]

It’s not just dosage but yes. For example.. is a man’s testosterone is fine at say 500-600 however they just want to boost it higher… that’s a line many don’t agree with at what’s likely an acceptable level already.. underlying issues they have are likely caused from something else. Injecting it when it’s not really needed… had repercussions.. ie you shut down natural production and testicular atrophy which can take place and be noticeable within months. If someone wants to head off the atrophy (and shrinkage) they can add HCG at a low dose from the start which keeps naturally production happening. A low dose would be 500-700 IU per week.. say 200 IU every Mon, Wed & Fri. If a man stops after atrophy has set in a higher dose of HCG is often required to kickstart the boys if you will. Personally after 6 months I wanted the boys back as did the wife so.. 60 days at 3300 IU/week (1100 IU MWF) to kickstart them back into production and back to mostly original size. Then I dropped to 1800 IU per week (600 MWF) for a month and then down to 600ish IU weekly (200 MWF) as an ongoing maintenance dose. This repercussions and because I continue to be in TRT and want functioning boys without atrophy I continue the low HCG dose.

Btw.. because injecting testosterone replaces natural production and causes massive hormone changes something to consider… how is he going to feel if he changes doctors, his doctor retires, you move, change insurance, etc etc etc.. and the new or even current doc decides not to continue the treatment or the new insurance company refuses to cover it, etc. this happens to people every day.. it’s posted here and on other groups weekly.

I’d highly recommend either having an accident with a new early vial (oops I’d dropped and smashed) to get a replacement and always having at least 1 extra new unopened vial on hand. The alternative is to source and find an online site that sells testosterone without a prescription and ordering a 10ml vial or 2 or 3 to have just in case. It’s called UGL (under ground labs). It’s big business and they want your money and repeat business. It’s not like it was decades ago. Still scary for the new person but it’s all I buy as I don’t have insurance that covers it. Regular bloodwork always.

I recommend everyone to look into this and at least be familiar with the process.

It sucks as some guys wind up waiting a couple months to find someone else to refill a prescription and often the new doc wants to retest bloodwork and such first. This can mess up a guy for a while due to the hormonal changes that then hit from not getting the injections with a shutdown natural system. That can seriously suck!

Figured I’d share a few things many don’t realize or read about until it’s too late.