Hello everyone,
I have been reading through the archives of this forum and have come across a number of threads dealing with testosteron replacement therapy, and reading these threads has actually raised a few questions in my mind. I am currently recovering from anorexia (yes, I'm a guy btw) and my testosterone levels were quite low (about 85 - I'm not sure what units this is in). My doctor prescribed androderm 5mg and upped it to 10mg after two weeks when my levels had not improved to a significant degree. After several weeks at this dose my levels stabilized at about 470 and have been at this level for a few months. I know that 470 is within the normal realm but I still have symptoms of low T such as slow beard growth, lack of sexual desire, etc. - although all of these symptoms have improved somewhat since being on TRT. I am considering asking my doc to up my dose further in order to get my level into the higher range of normal...but I am semi-concerned about the long-term health benefits of doing so.
First, I have read that with trt there is the risk of further supressing the body's natural t production (possibly permanently). Would increasing the dose increase this risk? I know that my doctor expects that my natural t production will eventually return to normal (because it was caused by inadequate nutrition) and I'm worried that increasing the dose will inhibit this. At the same time though, I have been at a healthy weight for about 4 months now and my natural production has not increased...is it possible that it will never recover, no matter what?
The second question I have has to do with other tests. On a previous thread someone suggested that another guy with low testosterone go on a short run of clomid or nolva in order to test...something - the discussion was a little over my head. I was just wondering if this is something I should explore/ask my doctor about. My doctor is a good doctor and very competent, but I know that most general physicians aren't experts in endocrinology, and this is why I am asking for advice from you guys. I don't want to push for a greater dose of testosterone and end up totally screwing up my body, but at the same time I would really like to increase the dose to help with my energy, sex drive, etc. Thank you very much in advance for any help, suggestions, or comments.
Luke
I have been reading through the archives of this forum and have come across a number of threads dealing with testosteron replacement therapy, and reading these threads has actually raised a few questions in my mind. I am currently recovering from anorexia (yes, I'm a guy btw) and my testosterone levels were quite low (about 85 - I'm not sure what units this is in). My doctor prescribed androderm 5mg and upped it to 10mg after two weeks when my levels had not improved to a significant degree. After several weeks at this dose my levels stabilized at about 470 and have been at this level for a few months. I know that 470 is within the normal realm but I still have symptoms of low T such as slow beard growth, lack of sexual desire, etc. - although all of these symptoms have improved somewhat since being on TRT. I am considering asking my doc to up my dose further in order to get my level into the higher range of normal...but I am semi-concerned about the long-term health benefits of doing so.
First, I have read that with trt there is the risk of further supressing the body's natural t production (possibly permanently). Would increasing the dose increase this risk? I know that my doctor expects that my natural t production will eventually return to normal (because it was caused by inadequate nutrition) and I'm worried that increasing the dose will inhibit this. At the same time though, I have been at a healthy weight for about 4 months now and my natural production has not increased...is it possible that it will never recover, no matter what?
The second question I have has to do with other tests. On a previous thread someone suggested that another guy with low testosterone go on a short run of clomid or nolva in order to test...something - the discussion was a little over my head. I was just wondering if this is something I should explore/ask my doctor about. My doctor is a good doctor and very competent, but I know that most general physicians aren't experts in endocrinology, and this is why I am asking for advice from you guys. I don't want to push for a greater dose of testosterone and end up totally screwing up my body, but at the same time I would really like to increase the dose to help with my energy, sex drive, etc. Thank you very much in advance for any help, suggestions, or comments.
Luke