Getting Off TRT after 3 years possible?

[RockyP]

Hi All,

Been on TRT for 3 years. I am 51 and I am concerned about long-term side effects, I have small children and I need to be around.
I have seen, read, some accounts of people restarting successfully but everyone is way younger.
As much as I love TRT and what has done for me I am currently on 0.5CC per week, very low and frankly, sometimes I feel I need more but my BW is around 450 and 650/700 and I am really concerned about future heart problems.
All my blood work so far is good. Nothing out of range. Exercise regularly, eat clean, drink very little, plenty of water and the occasional eating whatever during the weekend.
My Endo says that protocol is not advised for someone like me as my body production is shut after 2 years, which makes sense as I was having issues producing it before, but IF I could restart I would try it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JVee63]

Why would you be concerned about heart problems from normal testosterone levels? Low testosterone is much more of a concern.
As far as a restart, it will either work or it won't. As far as the number that the urologist gave you, it makes no sense. Your production of testosterone began to cease when you added exogenous test.

 

[kenpoengineer]

I’m 57 and have been a TRT user for 3 years. It frankly was one of the best decisions of my life. Brain fog, lack of motivation, fatigue, depression all gone. What are your concerns about long-term effects?

If fact, TRT will keep you around longer than having the medical issues associated with low testosterone.

 

[RockyP]

Hi, The reason I got on it was because my T levels were down for a long time as my body was struggling to produce it. Yes, it completely stopped after I started but I was struggling with it.

Sometimes I wish I could go higher in dosage. I probably can I am just paranoid.


Thanks!

 

[RockyP]

I’m 57 and have been a TRT user for 3 years. It frankly was one of the best decisions of my life. Brain fog, lack of motivation, fatigue, depression all gone. What are your concerns about long-term effects?

If fact, TRT will keep you around longer than having the medical issues associated with low testosterone.

Yes, I agree! It is peaks and valleys but I def got most of my life back, I don't sleep much so that is affecting a big chunk of my life, even if is not a miracle cure. I am concerned about heart issues, red blood cells, hematocrit going up due to injecting etc. I check that stuff periodically but I am stil a little worried.
For sure it helps to hear you guys' positive reinforcements.

Thanks!

 

[kenpoengineer]

Yes, I agree! It is peaks and valleys but I def got most of my life back, I don't sleep much so that is affecting a big chunk of my life, even if is not a miracle cure. I am concerned about heart issues, red blood cells, hematocrit going up due to injecting etc. I check that stuff periodically but I am stil a little worried.
For sure it helps to hear you guys' positive reinforcements.

Thanks!

All those issues are easily managed:
1) Peaks and Valleys: Simply split your injections into half every 3.5 days.
2) Heart Issues: Media Fake News. TRT has been shown to be heart healthy at proper dosages. Read this:
https://www.menshealth.com/health/effects-of-low-testosterone
3) Hematocrit: Monitor hematocrit with regular bloodwork. Once it reaches 53 then donate blood.

If you need a proper TRT doctor, I use and am completely happy with Entourage Hormones:

http://entouragehormones.com/

 

[RockyP]

All those issues are easily managed:
1) Peaks and Valleys: Simply split your injections into half every 3.5 days.
2) Heart Issues: Media Fake News. TRT has been shown to be heart healthy at proper dosages. Read this:
https://www.menshealth.com/health/effects-of-low-testosterone
3) Hematocrit: Monitor hematocrit with regular bloodwork. Once it reaches 53 then donate blood.

If you need a proper TRT doctor, I use and am completely happy with Entourage Hormones:

http://entouragehormones.com/

Splitting the injection is a good idea, thanks!
I will look into that report although it was the Endo who, I guess has to say it, told me.
I have been trying grapefruit as I can't donate blood because I lived in the UK in the 80s, they turned me down.

Does that doctor take ins? Right now I pay very little for TC, I see the endo 2ice a year with frequent bloodwork.
Thank you!

 

[kenpoengineer]

Splitting the injection is a good idea, thanks!
I will look into that report although it was the Endo who, I guess has to say it, told me.
I have been trying grapefruit as I can't donate blood because I lived in the UK in the 80s, they turned me down.

Does that doctor take ins? Right now I pay very little for TC, I see the endo 2ice a year with frequent bloodwork.
Thank you!

Oh sorry. I thought you were in the USA.

Here are a couple of good guides to help with TRT;
https://www.excelmale.com/showthread.php?5040-Blood-Tests-Needed-Before-and-During-Testosterone-Replacement-Therapy

https://www.excelmale.com/content.php?317-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

 

[RockyP]

Oh sorry. I thought you were in the USA.

Here are a couple of good guides to help with TRT;
https://www.excelmale.com/showthread.php?5040-Blood-Tests-Needed-Before-and-During-Testosterone-Replacement-Therapy

https://www.excelmale.com/content.php?317-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

I am in the USA.

Thanks!!!

 

[CatSnake]

I am in the USA.

Thanks!!!

even if you can't donate blood, you can still get a medical phlebotmy where they just draw some blood to correct your RBC issue, if you have one....

 

[trtdoc]

You will be back on therapy in 3-4 weeks. Every patient I have had come off, always come back on. TRT is a life changer

No real evidence to suggest long term cardiovascular issues. Actually, studies suggest those who have Low T are at increased risk for cardiovascular issues and even heart related deaths.

Dr. B

 

[RockyP]

even if you can't donate blood, you can still get a medical phlebotmy where they just draw some blood to correct your RBC issue, if you have one....

Cool thanks!

 

[RockyP]

You will be back on therapy in 3-4 weeks. Every patient I have had come off, always come back on. TRT is a life changer

No real evidence to suggest long term cardiovascular issues. Actually, studies suggest those who have Low T are at increased risk for cardiovascular issues and even heart related deaths.

Dr. B

Thank you Dr B!

 

[RockyP]

Hi,
My problem is all this stuff that goes with it, donating blood, Watch this, that. I mean, I get really stressed out with health issues.
Additionally, I am beginning to think I was originally misdiagnosed, that while yes I had low T the endos did not really try to fix that with other methods but just gave me the T and I went to 4 different ones.
I will go see a urologist friday who deals in TRT.

 

[kenpoengineer]

Hi,
My problem is all this stuff that goes with it, donating blood, Watch this, that. I mean, I get really stressed out with health issues.
Additionally, I am beginning to think I was originally misdiagnosed, that while yes I had low T the endos did not really try to fix that with other methods but just gave me the T and I went to 4 different ones.
I will go see a urologist friday who deals in TRT.

I’m smiling as I read this. Your health is a two way exchange of information between your doctor and you. “watch this” means please educate yourself so you don’t fall prey to an untrained doctor. Here is a great guide to read before your visit:

https://www.excelmale.com/content.php?317-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

 

[RockyP]

I’m smiling as I read this. Your health is a two way exchange of information between your doctor and you. “watch this” means please educate yourself so you don’t fall prey to an untrained doctor. Here is a great guide to read before your visit:

https://www.excelmale.com/content.php?317-ExcelMale-com-Guide-to-Testosterone-Replacement

LOL Not sure why you are smiling. I am a hypochondriac and as such, I do so much research it consumes my life. I know how to tweak my food intake to regulate my weight and bloodwork outcome, unless there is a pathology that is different. I get blood work almost 2 months. I see all specialists yearly. I get some type of ultrasound, tests etc almsot every year depending on what I haven't gotten done. See, I had all those symptoms for years, except the low body hair as I am very hairy and TRT turned me into a caveman LOL, but being the primary caregiver of 2 small kids and one with special needs, a fulltime job, basically sleeping 3hrs per night for years, depression, fatigue, 0 sexual desire or sex period I was cooked, yet i still exercized, or tried to being that working out has always been my drug and when I say drug I mean it. Is till have the occasional breast tenderness and pain, I still have a hardtime sleeping and fatigue. I went to the doc with the breast pain and blood work said my prolacting was high, so I did more blood and it was still high, then I had an MRI of the pituitary to make sure there was no tumor, it came back negative. Then more blood work and the only thing was my low T. They could have put me on antidepressants but that, IMO was only going to make things worse. So after months of debate, and i saw 4 endos, I went on TRT. I probably messed up there. But to give you a picture of what I mean when I say "watch this and that" that would be on top of all that I do already: I only have 2 drinks per week because I am afraid of getting liver disease, I don't smoke. I only eat red meat once a week, no cheese except on pizza once a week etc. I am aware that T for production require a lot of energy and at 50yo even more and with all I had/have going on it was a big ask of my body. I centrainly was not by best when I went to see doctors about this so it is very possible I was referred, in good faith , to the wrong doctors. My worry is what happens when I am 70? if I get there. How am I going to keep up with all these things? and I realize some of my symptoms are induced by my stress about my health...LOL yeah I know....I am crazy.
I appreciate this forum and you taking the time to reply to my posts!

 

[kenpoengineer]

Sounds like you are a stressed out mess. Lol. Good to hear you are being checked and are obsessed with health.

As far as breast tenderness, have you had estradiol checked? Too high levels and the nipples become itchy and tenderness develops.

TRT will save your life, both physically and mentally.

 

[RockyP]

Sounds like you are a stressed out mess. Lol. Good to hear you are being checked and are obsessed with health.

As far as breast tenderness, have you had estradiol checked? Too high levels and the nipples become itchy and tenderness develops.

TRT will save your life, both physically and mentally.

Hey, Actually my E levels are low they can't figure out why. My endo checks them once a year Actually I need to go back for them as it's been a year. Last time it was 22. But when I was having the initial symptoms of low T I had the tenderness and the E levels were low.

 

[Power-Lift]

I got off for now, people react differently to medications, I didnt like my reactions, I shared this in another post:

----
After training for 39 years w/ out ever touching a needle (Ive done some PH's) I jumped on TRT at age 50. (Last year). I honestly didnt feel that great on it.
(I did at first, but then the prostate thing acted up (swollen, hard to piss), anxiety kicked in big-time (all anabolics do that to me), hair shedding, the constant tests, monitoring, etc. I said to myself "for life, nah, not for me" (yet). I'll revisit in 9 years or so at age 60. I'm going to go back to do my 30 day cycles (Like Nano 1T w/ a small test dose (short 4 week cycle) then 4 week PCT (Clomid, Nolva, support stuff, hCG), then 4 weeks of health supps only to clean out, and go for my quarterly bloods for statins.

4 weeks of sides I can take, not 100% full time, not fun for me. some dont get any of those sides, I get hit hard by them. (everyone's different).
Ive been reading about short cycles (Nelson Montana, Bill Reynolds) and its just what I want to do for now. Good luck w/ whatever you choose, just wanted to share my recent experience.

 

[RockyP]

I got off for now, people react differently to medications, I didnt like my reactions, I shared this in another post:

----
After training for 39 years w/ out ever touching a needle (Ive done some PH's) I jumped on TRT at age 50. (Last year). I honestly didnt feel that great on it.
(I did at first, but then the prostate thing acted up (swollen, hard to piss), anxiety kicked in big-time (all anabolics do that to me), hair shedding, the constant tests, monitoring, etc. I said to myself "for life, nah, not for me" (yet). I'll revisit in 9 years or so at age 60. I'm going to go back to do my 30 day cycles (Like Nano 1T w/ a small test dose (short 4 week cycle) then 4 week PCT (Clomid, Nolva, support stuff, hCG), then 4 weeks of health supps only to clean out, and go for my quarterly bloods for statins.

4 weeks of sides I can take, not 100% full time, not fun for me. some dont get any of those sides, I get hit hard by them. (everyone's different).
Ive been reading about short cycles (Nelson Montana, Bill Reynolds) and its just what I want to do for now. Good luck w/ whatever you choose, just wanted to share my recent experience.

Thank you so much!
Did you do it alone or under doc's supervision? I would love to be able to get off completely and see, if the HCG etc can bring it back. Clearly can't get off T cold turkey but lowering the dosage, which I alredy do to lower the hematocrit every other month, gradually and supplement with HCG then switch to only HCG and clomid and then just clomid to then slowly get off that too. I will see what the doc say about that.
It may be wishful thinking at this point but I have to give it a shot. I am still producing sperm, surely not active, so I am "hoping" the doc will come up with something similar. I am concerned with the crush as I can't be a veggie. My PSA is 0.8 so no worries there and anxiety is my lifelong companion, i don't like it but it's either I take meds (that can casue alzheimer's) or I keep it and I don't like to take meds and CBD oil is way too $$$$ for me at this point, so I keep it.
Not a fun way to live believe me.
Thank you again for the post!!!

 

[Power-Lift]

hey no prob...

Im going thru my Doc. Dont go cold turkey w/ out any PCT, or you can crash hard.
Im feeling better off of it right now, w/ Clomid, Nolva and hCG.(Than when I was on).
No (or very little) anxiety, pissing like a race horse again, nuts are coming back.

(I might be a rare case, i dont know).

My buddy who is in his 60's couldnt deal with the prostate sides, so he is on Clomid only from his Dr.
His total test is near 700, good enough for him at his age.

I will re-visit, tried it, and dont want to do it right now, I feel better off of it...

 

[RockyP]

hey no prob...

Im going thru my Doc. Dont go cold turkey w/ out any PCT, or you can crash hard.
Im feeling better off of it right now, w/ Clomid, Nolva and hCG.(Than when I was on).
No (or very little) anxiety, pissing like a race horse again, nuts are coming back.

(I might be a rare case, i dont know).

My buddy who is in his 60's couldnt deal with the prostate sides, so he is on Clomid only from his Dr.
His total test is near 700, good enough for him at his age.

I will re-visit, tried it, and dont want to do it right now, I feel better off of it...

I hope i will be able to do the same
Thanks

 

[RockyP]

Hi All,
Just wanted to put up an update.

I have started tapering down with TRT, now at 0.3 ml per week, and supplementing with HCG 1000IU per week.
Using size up for a little extra pump in the gym, sleeping a bit more and so far the libido is still the same etc.
Every 4 weeks I am lowering the Test dosage. My Doctor thinks I will be back on TRT soon, but I am willing to see where my baseline is once I am completely off.

Thanks!

RP

 

[justhere4comm]

Let us know how you do.

 

[RockyP]

For sure.

 

[RockyP]

UPDATE.
Ok, So I went down to .2 per week plus HCG but I began to feel EXTREMELY tired, confused and depressed, really depressed. Went back up and things got better. I guess there is no way out of it.

 

[RockyP]

UPDATE- LATE
Hi all,
it has been a while but I wanted to report my progress. I was able to stop TRT. About a month now.
My endo has me on Clomid. Been on half a tablet a day for 2 months, and stopped T injections 4 weeks ago. I did have a slump in my mood for a couple of days but now I am only on Clomid. Is it different? You bet it is! But just got my labs today and the production has restarted, both my FSH and LH are back within range actually closer to the top number. My TT is 453 which is not too low. After almost 4 years I did not think it would be possible.
I am working out 5 6 times a week, eating healthy and I am gonna wait and see what the endo says. I will definitely go back at some point but for now, I am going to continue this way.

Thanks!

R