Fletcher
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Hi All,
I know there has probably been numerous threads posted like this... and I just found this forum tonight and have been reading voraciously. However, I figured it couldn't hurt to tell my story and see what people think. I'm not asking for everyone to answer all my questions... but I have just started my trip down the rabbit hole and have much to learn... so I'll learn while I communicate with folks. So much to read, so little time to second guess possibly bad decisions a month ago... *sigh*
My primary care physician says I have hypogonadism. He's probably right, but it is not a satisfying answer in and of itself. I want to know the hows & whys. I want to know if it is primary, secondary, what are my alternatives to TRT, etc.
Some history... I'm 36, no steroid history, been healthy, etc. I've seen mention of low cholesterol levels on here, so I'll throw that out... 2/2011 - HDL 34, LDL 84. 2/2010 HDL 23, LDL 83
Around December of '08 I was in a relationship where I had some very mild symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Basically, with a condom I had no problem getting there, but couldn't really sustain. So, I complained to my doc. He ordered a blood test to check for total testosterone. At that time, my testosterone level was around 370. Erections never really were like they used to be after that.
Fast forward to Oct 2010, and I was yet again in a relationship where there were some issues. Before entering into this relationship I had basically decided I was happy being single after the last train wreck and the amount of stress I was dealing with at work. So... I guess I thought my mind said I was happy being alone, but perhaps it was really my low drive due to below average testosterone for a 36 year old. Anyway, in Dec 2010, I again complained to my doctor about ED issues in this relationship. He scheduled another testosterone blood test in addition to the standard stuff... 2/2011 it came back TT 274. On the followup visit about 6 weeks ago, he informed me he thought I had hypogonadism. He recommended several options.
The options were: Testosterone cipionate (sp?) injections, the usual patches/creams, told me about a local compounding pharmacy, etc.
So, I started doing some reading. For the last two years I was extremely stressed at work, my memory was failing, was lethargic/fatigued all the time, etc. Mild cases of depression, and I think I would call a nervous breakdown around March of 09 due to stress at work. After reading that low testosterone could cause or make worse all of those things, I was eager to get started.... so on 2/18/2011 I went for my first injection. It was weekly for the next four weeks...
I freaking felt great! I felt I was on top of my game again... My memory, concentration, energy, focus, and enthusiasm about life was back again. Now I am 10 days into my last injection, and I can feel it wearing off again. Next injection due in two days. For a week after the injection, erections are like I'm 18 again... which is great. Morning wood, etc.
Now... after the amount of reading I have been doing, I am questioning whether I acted too fast. I am feeling like I am now trapped into this whether I like it or not... I like the return to normalcy, but feel trapped now.
My concerns are:
a) he didn't tell me about the sterility problem... I'm not in a relationship now, but that doesn't mean I won't want kids someday. Convenient not to tell me about the risks... How reversible is this? Is 60 days of TRT difficult to reverse? I think my boys are already shrinking away... which he didn't tell me about either.
b) Should we have done more testing before making a decision?
c) once I'm on this stuff, I hear it is VERY difficult to get off due to the testes/pituitary shutting down, possibly permanently.
If anyone has any insight on my three concerns above, I'd appreciate it. I know the information is here, and I am reading steadily, but it's a bit much to take in all at once...
The worst part is knowing that I need more than just food, water, and oxygen now to survive... I've always been a bit of a loner/survivalist type and it is difficult knowing that I am a vial of testosterone away from a thriving life.
Thanks all for any advice you can offer.
I know there has probably been numerous threads posted like this... and I just found this forum tonight and have been reading voraciously. However, I figured it couldn't hurt to tell my story and see what people think. I'm not asking for everyone to answer all my questions... but I have just started my trip down the rabbit hole and have much to learn... so I'll learn while I communicate with folks. So much to read, so little time to second guess possibly bad decisions a month ago... *sigh*
My primary care physician says I have hypogonadism. He's probably right, but it is not a satisfying answer in and of itself. I want to know the hows & whys. I want to know if it is primary, secondary, what are my alternatives to TRT, etc.
Some history... I'm 36, no steroid history, been healthy, etc. I've seen mention of low cholesterol levels on here, so I'll throw that out... 2/2011 - HDL 34, LDL 84. 2/2010 HDL 23, LDL 83
Around December of '08 I was in a relationship where I had some very mild symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Basically, with a condom I had no problem getting there, but couldn't really sustain. So, I complained to my doc. He ordered a blood test to check for total testosterone. At that time, my testosterone level was around 370. Erections never really were like they used to be after that.
Fast forward to Oct 2010, and I was yet again in a relationship where there were some issues. Before entering into this relationship I had basically decided I was happy being single after the last train wreck and the amount of stress I was dealing with at work. So... I guess I thought my mind said I was happy being alone, but perhaps it was really my low drive due to below average testosterone for a 36 year old. Anyway, in Dec 2010, I again complained to my doctor about ED issues in this relationship. He scheduled another testosterone blood test in addition to the standard stuff... 2/2011 it came back TT 274. On the followup visit about 6 weeks ago, he informed me he thought I had hypogonadism. He recommended several options.
The options were: Testosterone cipionate (sp?) injections, the usual patches/creams, told me about a local compounding pharmacy, etc.
So, I started doing some reading. For the last two years I was extremely stressed at work, my memory was failing, was lethargic/fatigued all the time, etc. Mild cases of depression, and I think I would call a nervous breakdown around March of 09 due to stress at work. After reading that low testosterone could cause or make worse all of those things, I was eager to get started.... so on 2/18/2011 I went for my first injection. It was weekly for the next four weeks...
I freaking felt great! I felt I was on top of my game again... My memory, concentration, energy, focus, and enthusiasm about life was back again. Now I am 10 days into my last injection, and I can feel it wearing off again. Next injection due in two days. For a week after the injection, erections are like I'm 18 again... which is great. Morning wood, etc.
Now... after the amount of reading I have been doing, I am questioning whether I acted too fast. I am feeling like I am now trapped into this whether I like it or not... I like the return to normalcy, but feel trapped now.
My concerns are:
a) he didn't tell me about the sterility problem... I'm not in a relationship now, but that doesn't mean I won't want kids someday. Convenient not to tell me about the risks... How reversible is this? Is 60 days of TRT difficult to reverse? I think my boys are already shrinking away... which he didn't tell me about either.
b) Should we have done more testing before making a decision?
c) once I'm on this stuff, I hear it is VERY difficult to get off due to the testes/pituitary shutting down, possibly permanently.
If anyone has any insight on my three concerns above, I'd appreciate it. I know the information is here, and I am reading steadily, but it's a bit much to take in all at once...
The worst part is knowing that I need more than just food, water, and oxygen now to survive... I've always been a bit of a loner/survivalist type and it is difficult knowing that I am a vial of testosterone away from a thriving life.
Thanks all for any advice you can offer.