I've posted the long version several times, but basically it went like this:
At 36-37, I noticed that I really had no libido to speak of, I was agitated a lot, couldn't sleep, had bad brain fog all the time, and started gaining some fat around my mid-section. I have been very athletic and trained in the gym since 16, so I noticed when I started to look softer, which was an ego hit.
Went to my PCP and discussed. We decided to run a CBC w/lipids and order a total and free test lab as well. Initial CBC came back with slightly elevated tris and LDL and total test was in the mid 200s, with correlating free test (aprox 2% of total). We decided that I would concentrate on lifestyle to try and see if we could adjust this. Over the next 8 months, I altered diet, sleep patterns, tried to reduce stress, etc and would go in for labs every 8 weeks. I corrected my cholesterol, but test continued to lower and all symptoms were still there. So he referred me to an endo. Keep in mind that I was studying everything I could get my hands on, talking to hormone therapists, and consulting with people I know in the sports/supplement industry.
I ended up seeing 3 endos because they quite honestly didn't seem to have the same care as I was demanding. I ended up finding one that really wanted to be thorough and we initially ordered a DEXA, full hormone panel, and an MRI. DEXA and MRI came back normal, but I was low DHEA, pregnenolone, high cort, low total and free test. Thyroid was fine. So, at that point, we got started on TRT. The endo wanted me to try gels, but with kids I was against it, so I went back to my PCP and he prescribed me injections.
That is how I got there. The journey in the first year or so is a whole other journal as I had a lot of trial and error before settling in.