I need help with Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hi,

Just looking for ideas/input/experiences....

I am currently symptomatic for Low T (depression, low energy, decreased sex drive, Etc.) I went to the doctor and had blood work done and my T level is 230. My doc says this falls within "normal" levels (albeit the very low end) so it is not treatable with Hormone Replacement Therapy. I feel like a slight boost to mid to upper "normal" levels (500-800) could really make a difference.

• Has anybody else had a similar situation?
• What is the difference between a doctors prescription for a testosterone patch and a very low dose of Test?
• Can you raise T levels with very low amounts of Test for mid to long term use? If so what type of test and dose?

I am not trying to get big just trying to get a boost. I am 43 and overweight (5'11"@265).

Thanks,

Suirad

Welcome to MC! I had a doc not prescribe when my levels were at 320 so went to a specialist got blood work and it was 290 so he prescribed and would have at 320 just needed proof. Its made a huge positive diiference in my life. Injection is best for me once a week 100 mg im 31 YRS old and happy about being on it the rest of my life.

Get a second opinion its probably worth it. Dont worry about pride probably a million men your age or younger with low T

Get a different Dr. Get copies of your blood tests and call an HRT clinic near you. As you know you need to get your diet in order. Do you have a condition such as cholesterol or prostate health that would contraindicate test usage? You always want IM injection. Patches and gels complicate things

OP. Welcome to the board. I agree that you need to see another doctor. On another note, do you have any experience with AAS use?

Welcome to mc bro,

As a Career Lab Tech, I suggest another Physician. 230 is extremely low. Our reference range at our lab is 250-1197. So, if your Test level was done at our lab, your level would have read <250. I personally think that anything below 400 should be considered for TRT. Provided the other factors are consistent with the need for therapy. Such as Depression, Lack of energy, No sex drive, etc.....

Welcome to MC.

One of my biggest pet peeves: Doctors who perform a blood test and then tell you the results are "normal" when the actual results fall at the very tail end of the bell curve. Since when is a measurement like that NORMAL? The shape of the bell curve that gives us these ranges in the first place logically suggest that normal is the middle part of the curve. Since when is 230 normal for a 43-year-old? It might be normal for an 80-90 year old man, but definitely not 43. The Dude hit it right on head. Get a new doctor. This one is not looking to help you.

My own experience to add to back you up: I tested at 330 the first time I was tested for the same conditions you are feeling when I was 30 years old. Doc also told me that it was normal. I told him that a 30 year old is NOT normal at that level. Averages indicated that men in their 30s are usually around 800-900. He had to agree so I got him to give me the injections, with my first injection in his office. The difference was like night and day, almost like someone turned a light bulb on in my head. I had focus, drive, libido, and felt better than I ever had in years. I have been on injections ever since then for 14 1/2 years, and I will be 45 soon. Don't bother with patches, creams, or gels. They work to some extent but not near as reliably as injections, plus they have the danger of rubbing off on other people depending on where you put it or it comes off with your sweat.

Hope this helps you, bro.

Great advice in the this thread.

I agree with injection only. No creams or gels. Its not as stable or as predictable or as proven to work long term. Weekly injections I might add as well. Some Docs are still using an old protocol of every 2 week injections or even once a month. This is a roller coaster ride. Your levels rise significantly for 3-7 days, then begin to fall again. And, by day 14 your level is back to where it was or lower.
Weekly injections my friend at the very least. I myself take my dose every 3 days

Thanks for the input....

To answer a previous question, I have no experience with AAS. I will try to get a third medical opinion.

So my follow up questions are:

With low dose Test (100 mg/week), do I need to worry about aromatization and need to take something to counteract it?

Would anavar be useful as a HRT since it does not have an aromatizing effect?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Suirad

most likely you wouldn't need any sort of anti aromatase to counteract that dose, and I am pretty sreu they are not giving out scripts for anavar for HRT.