Should I start TRT or Wait?

[GrowthSpurt1]

O.k guys I need some advice. I'm almost 34 and have done about one cycle per year since I was 20. I have used PCT every time but I feel like my test is low when I'm not on, even after 6 months of recovery I still feel like it's low. I know the only way to know is to go get tested but I'm putting it off because I'm still trying to figure out if I am ready to stay on TRT for life. I have all the sytmptoms of low test when I'm off just like at the end of a cycle when trying to recover but I still have a pretty good sex drive when I'm off. When I'm on a low dose I feel great, engrgy , no joint pain, good sex drive, only negative thing is my nuts shrivel and it's very uncomfortable to me. I'd definitely get on TRT right now but I'm concerned about the long term effects, not 10 year effects, I mean like 30+ years. Has anyone been on for that length of time? But on the other hand when I'm not on I feel like the effects of low test can be much harmful than the effects of long term TRT. For example when I"m on I feel great, when I"m off I feel like my prostate may be slightly enlarged or enflamed or something, among other things. What do you guys think? Don't answer with see a doc. that's a given once I'm ready to take the step.

 

[-SD-]

Gotta get bloodwork, plain and simple, whether youre looking at TLevels or prostaglandin levels for prostate. None of this "it feels like xyz" means anything without the bloodwork to back it up.

I mean, if you had normal TLevels are you all of a sudden not going to think about TRT anymore?

 

[GrowthSpurt1]

Gotta get bloodwork, plain and simple, whether youre looking at TLevels or prostaglandin levels for prostate. None of this "it feels like xyz" means anything without the bloodwork to back it up.

I mean, if you had normal TLevels are you all of a sudden not going to think about TRT anymore?

I will do so, but that does not answer the questions I have for rt now. Let's assume I'm right and my levels are low. I need andvice from the people on TRT especically people that have been on 20 to 30 years +.

 

[RobertD1885]

You don't state any size numbers, but my speculation would be that by cycling PEDs a dozen plus times over your life that you have achieved a lean body mass far beyond that which natural testosterone levels will support. And that your only choices to not feel tired all the time are to regularly supplement with additional testosterone or to loose drop your lean muscle weight.

 

[Headholio]

People who get used to the feeling of being juiced can confuse feeling normal, with feeling like you have low test.

So you are putting the cart before the horse. First question is where are your numbers. If T is in the normal range, you don't need TRT. Problem solved.

But then you will have to figure out if TRT is what you really wanted in the first place, or if you just wanted an excuse to juice for life.

If your T is really low and you have confirmed it won't come back up naturally, then I would say that TRT is a serious option, as there are health problems with NOT having normal T levels.

 

[Labtec70]

Hi Growth Spurt

Totally agree and get what the other lads are saying. However, to sort of answer your question:

I've been on HRT (Sustanon 250 e2wks, and Nebido) for nearly 13 years; I'm 42 years old. My T levels gradually declined for over a year after TC and they (GP) started me immediately on depot intramuscular injections.
For me, personally, therapy has improved many things, and so far so so good.

1. Energy levels increased.
2. More mental and spiritual improvement.
3. Increased lean mass and lower bf levels.
4. Good mood and handle mood depression better.
5. Pretty good sex life although libido can be problematic on accasion.
6. Feel better about my appearance and more confident.

Cons after 13 years:

1. Occasional night time palpitations mimicking anxiety attacks. This is now controlled by Bisoprolol (beta blocker)
2. High RBC count and may need venesection therapy (Aspirin at 75mg/day to decrease arterial resistance)
3. Higher blood pressure and triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. (Amlodapine and Bisoprolol for BP)

All the above may be attributable to HRT, but even so, I'd rather take and control these symptoms with HRT than risk adverse effects without.

Some of the acute/chronic issues I'd possibly be encountering if I didn't have HRT for the last 13 years. These are applicable to the general population of blokes with androgen deficiency too:

1. Aretherosclerosis
2. Arteriosclerosis
3. Diabetes Mellitus
4. Osteopaenia/Osteoporosis and Osteoarthristis
5. Hyperlipidaemia
6. Dropsy or Oedema
7. Low energy and fatigue
8. Poor protein synthesis and glucose control
9. Low libido and Erectile Disfunction
10. Metabolic Syndrome?
11. High body fat vs. Lean mass ratio
12. Obesity
13. Anaemia
14. Increased risk factors for stroke/heart attack/embolism
15. Vertabrae compression?

The list of chronic conditions and diseases due to low testosterone are pretty well documented although some are contested. However, just like alcohol, or long term high fatty diets, testosterone deficiency is a longetudinal risk factor for many detrimental conditions to health. To be honest, I'm comfortable and happy I'm on therapy for life knowing the adverse risks of the alternative. I'm also hopeful that if I get to old age I'll possibly be in better nick and health than the 99.8% of other old men who aren't on any form of HRT....Here's hopin' anyway.

You really do need to get those labs done to establish where you do stand regarding your suitability for HRT.

Best of luck getting it sorted GS.

 

[Headholio]

Cons after 13 years:

1. Occasional night time palpitations mimicking anxiety attacks. This is now controlled by Bisoprolol (beta blocker)
2. High RBC count and may need venesection therapy (Aspirin at 75mg/day to decrease arterial resistance)
3. Higher blood pressure and triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. (Amlodapine and Bisoprolol for BP)

Well those can be serious concerns. Are you staying within normal range for blood level of testosterone or are you going above, or supplementing with AAS?

 

[RobertD1885]

1. Occasional night time palpitations mimicking anxiety attacks. This is now controlled by Bisoprolol (beta blocker)

I find Benadryl to be effective

 

[GrowthSpurt1]

Please tell me more about how your libido can be problematic on occasion? How often? Can you not get hard at all or just not that interested in sex as in you don't initiate it or try to fuck every girl in site like a lot of guys?

1. Energy levels increased.
2. More mental and spiritual improvement.
3. Increased lean mass and lower bf levels.
4. Good mood and handle mood depression better.
5. Pretty good sex life although Libido can be problematic on accasion.
6. Feel better about my appearance and more confident.

 

[Labtec70]

Hi guys

To answer your questions...

Headholio: I imagine that like me your thinking that higher than HRT doses of T would be responsible for palpitations and so on. However, although it's hard to believe, my palps and nightime anxiety type attacks occured on 250mg/e3wks. They still happened when the frequency of injections was increased to 250mg/e2wks. Tried all sorts of meds and betablockers were only thing that have helped. I do cycle, but no more than 500mg/wk for 10-12 weeks, and not had any palp problems at all with aid of BB's. Converesely though, I've just started A50's with this 500mg cycle and I've noticed the Anadrol does increase anxiety levels, but not at night. Stopped them forthwith.

Robert: Benedryl, never considered that. Thanks.

Growthspurt: lollage to you.
I find I don't get the amount of sexual thoughts most guys get. Actually, nothing close. I probably think about sex one a week instead of once every minute like I used to.
I don't find I'm as easily aroused as I was pre-HRT although it's certainly improved on what it was like when I had low T and it was undiagnosed. Erections are good quality but I'd expect that at the very least since I only get one or two a week. As for morning woodies? I'll only have them on supraphysiological doses of T and not HRT amounts. This lends me to believe there may be a problem with high aromatisation although I've suffered no outward signs of it at all. Maybe prolactin, I don't know as yet.

Hope this helps.

Craig

 

[Headholio]

Hi guys

To answer your questions...

Headholio: I imagine that like me your thinking that higher than HRT doses of T would be responsible for palpitations and so on. However, although it's hard to believe, my palps and nightime anxiety type attacks occured on 250mg/e3wks. They still happened when the frequency of injections was increased to 250mg/e2wks. Tried all sorts of meds and betablockers were only thing that have helped. I do cycle, but no more than 500mg/wk for 10-12 weeks, and not had any palp problems at all with aid of BB's. Converesely though, I've just started A50's with this 500mg cycle and I've noticed the Anadrol does increase anxiety levels, but not at night. Stopped them forthwith.

Craig

I was more concerned with the high RBC, BP and LDL than with the palpatations. Those seem like sides you would get from AAS or supraphysiologic levels of T, and hopefully not just TRT within range.