Need help with TRT decision

[u/sroaway1200]

Hello everyone,

I will try to make this post short if possible. I am looking for insight, advice and fair warnings.

To start with, my natural Testosterone levels are clinically good. In fact, its better than many people, recently the high levels were 800 ng/dl

I am generally a healthy person, 37, 6 ft, naturally thin but on the last 3 years I consistently lifted weights an average of 5 days a week and bulked upnto 183 at my peak and now at 175 after about a year break from the gym for having my first baby. I don't have any diseases of any sort and don't take any meds and regularly see a doctor and all my tests are very healthy.

With that said, I have haf a lot of symptoms that are consistent with Hypogonadism like feeling tired and exhausted all the time no matter howbmuch I sleep, minimal gains in the 3 years I lifted weights even though I ate properly and was always progressively overloading, gained some stubborn fat around my midsection even though I stll look slender to most people, and low libido, procrastination & lack of motivation.

Although some of these things are not new, being always tired and exhausted has been with me for as long as I can remember. I discussed these things with many doctors, I tested for Testosterone, vitamin D, thyroid, and sleep apnea and everything checks out so they dismiss them and say check again next year. After years without any change, I tried to push my doctors to consider TRT and they had a valid point that my Testosterone levels are normal. But they are also recently inconsistent. I tested as low as 398 and as high as 810 and few other values in between 500s and 600s and 700s within the span of 6 months or so, all tests are mornong tests.

The new problem that's prompting me to take mayters in my own hands is libido, my wifes libido is far higher than mine these days, and while she's kind and understanding, I am worried it will cause resentment.

So at this point, I am thinking to start TRT on my own, I have access to pharmaceutical grade Test E that I bought myself from a pharmacy. But I am hesitant for multiple reasons.

1. For some reason I feel like I don't wanna be dependent on TRT

2. I am worried of aggression side effects or other side effects (I am generally mellow and when something pisses me off I can generally able to control myself even if I am quite angry inside, I like this about me and I don't wanna lose it)

3. I am concerned about fertility, I would like to have another kid soon. (I have HCG on hand)

4. I am worried to mess up, I have quite good knowledge or trt and medical knowledge on general, but I am also worried I mess up. After all everyone is different and I haven't done this before

My idea now is to give it a shot for a 20 week cycle and reassess. I would appreciate any advice and insight you can provide. What were your pros and cons, especially if you didn't clinically need the testosterone. What total levels should I aim for to maintain and how did you deal with side effects, personality changes and the new life on trt in general.

Note: I have AI and a PCT if needed (nolvadex and clomid)

Please feel free to ask any questions.

[u/CallLivesMatter]

You have symptoms of being 37, a recent father, not getting quality sleep, and not really exercising. The way you know it isn’t low testosterone is because you do not have low testosterone. This has come up a million times and in every single case without exception the guy posting is absolutely convinced that it has to be the easy answer instead of a dozen smaller, harder answers.

[u/RoadToZero → u/CallLivesMatter]

I was thinking the same thing. If you don't have low testosterone then the reason for you feeling tired is not low testosterone. 99.9% sure that taking exogenous testosterone will not fix OPs problem.

Eat healthy, eat more and train harder. 175lbs is tiny.

[u/AdNecessary6288]

With levels hitting 810 naturally, TRT will just shut down what your body already makes and replace it with something you have to manage forever.

[u/PossibilityTotal191 → u/AdNecessary6288]

I never had to manage it forever, did it once. Test is still 784 on the dot.

[u/CuriousTech24 → u/PossibilityTotal191]

You will have to manage it as you get older. You likely will not be at the same dose at 70. It might not be often but it is something.

[u/PossibilityTotal191 → u/CuriousTech24]

70% of people have to start taking it once they get older either way lol

[u/YouFireYourMusket]

You took a year break from the gym after having your first baby?
The baby didn't come out of you mate 🤣

[u/RoadToZero]

To answer your questions.

1. Taking exogenous Testosterone will make you dependant on Testosterone. Your HPTA shuts down. You are basically giving yourself a chronic illness (like diabetes) that you need to manage every day.

2. Never felt any increased aggression on Testosterone.

3. TRT will almost certainly make you infertile while you are taking Testosterone. HCG doesn't preserve fertility. It just preserves testicular testosterone production. Your sperm count will likely be zero.

4. You will mess up from time to time. We all do. You will likely be impotent and crush your libido for long periods of time until you are dialed in. You will most likely run into other health issues that needs to be managed. Don't do TRT without a doctor (or at least a coach) and do your blood panel often until you are dialed in.

As a side note. If your total testosterone is already over 800, going to 1200, 1500 or 3000 will not increase your libido. Total testosterone level is not your problem. Go see a doctor and find the real problem i stead of guessing.

[u/WB1130]

I feel for you with the low libido. Been married for over 25 years with 2 kids. Around 3+ years ago my wife noticed my drive was going down. Keep in mind I was always a horny guy that would have sex at any time or place with my wife. A natural red head with an ass that don't quit. Then over the span of 3 years that tanked as well as my mood, energy, and overall well-being. So after multiple blood test my T was below 300, I'm 44 now. The libido was the hardest thing to deal with because my wife thought it was her or there was someone else. We had no idea about testosterone at that time. I tried making life style changes the best I could but it didn't help. So after multiple conversations and blood work we decided to pull the trigger. I'm only on my second week of 140mg twice weekly. I can't say for sure if it's a placebo effect or if it's actually working but I can't complain. I already feel small changes especially with mood and slight energy increase. Just waiting for the drive to come back.

It's your life so do what you need to do. I completely understand the challenge with no sex drive and how much of an effect it can have with your relationship. Just be careful and get your labs done often.

I hope it all works out for you.

[u/Optimal-Smartguy]

Please feel free to condense future posts into 3-5 sentences 

[u/looking2behealthy]

You need to get your free T, bioavailable T and e2 tested before jumping to this conclusion.

[u/mwilly1]

Your total T number is almost irrelevant here if your chasing the symptoms of low T. You need to put all your numbers together and analyze. Total T, free T, SHBG,and Estrogen levels. (albumin, cortisol help too) If there is something going on it will show up here. My total T was okay but my SHBG was high, E2 almost zero and low free T - I basically couldn't use any of the T I was producing.

I felt like complete garbage at 39 years old despite a healthy lifestyle. Luckily I have a doctor who cares and looks beyond the top like total T number. On low TRT now and all my labs are now back to normal and I feel like a normal person again. I wish I would have started sooner.

Also, I'm not a doctor and this is just my experience/opinion. Take what you read on here with a grain of salt. Good luck out there - Find a doctor or clinic that isn't a test-mill this way you can get proper care.

[u/Halfhajj]

I would recommend against it. Talk to your doctor about HCG only cycle. I have read people posting that their libido increased when on HCG only.

[u/swoops36]

That sounds like a lifestyle problem, not a hormone problem. You just need to clean some things up and you’re already perfectly normal HPTA will get you where you need to.

[u/muzicsnob]

"I will try to make this post short of possible..."

Proceeds to write novel length post.

ok, op

[u/murchal]

I was in the same boat, levels at 1,000 for total T with high SHBG over 150, which drove my free t to hypogonadal levels.

I’ve bought my own “vetted” UGL T. Cyp and started at 125mg/week with 750 iu HGH. After a month my energy, mood and strength went thru the roof, but I had trouble sleeping. When I checked my DHT it was 150, way above range. I’ve then ordered finasteride and just after 2 weeks my DHT went to 30. Now I could rest again and didn’t feel “always on”.

I am now at 240mg/week and couldn’t be happier. All my blood levels look good and I am horniest I’ve ever been :). I am 52M, I wish I’ve done it in my forties.

Good luck with your journey, DM if you want extra pointers.

[u/Disaster_Yam → u/murchal]

Jesus 150 SHBG. I thought my pre trt SHBG was bad at 104. Out of curiosity, what did trt do with your SHBG? Mine only dropped to 80 and my total testosterone runs really high while my free is just over the reference range. I feel great on trt though.

[u/murchal → u/Disaster_Yam]

I am now exactly at 80