New to treatment

Hey everybody. I just wants to introduce myself. I am a newly diagnosed Low-t patient. I started out with several indicators that I maybe affect me Low-T.. Manly sexual, mood, and really no progress on weight training that I began about. 3 years ago. I have been a weight trainer since 2001 through 2006 using testosterone supplements when a life change happened. So I took a few years off and started training again. I have not seen the results that a "natural" weight lifter would see. So I went to my doctor and he did a testosterone test. My levels came back less than 300, he decided to try injections of 100mg of Test-C once every 2 weeks. His dosing concerns me as by the time my body is ready for the next injection I start feeling the way I used to. My bride even notices the positive of the injection for about 5 or so days and then BOOM right back to I was before. I would like to believe that my dr is just trying his dosing out with once every two weeks. I would like him to see my blood work come back low again as my next blood draw is at the end of this last injection. Is there any advise out there help me understand what might be the thinking behind this. Thanks and look forward to responses..

When you inject Testosterone Cypionate, the same can be said of Testosterone Enanthate, testosterone blood levels will peak 36-72hrs after the injection and then rapidly fall back to baseline. It depends on the man and how fast they metabolize testosterone, but some need to split their dose in half and inject twice per week in order to maintain stable blood levels. Many other can get by fine with one injection per week. Anything beyond once per week and it becomes very difficult to maintain stable blood levels. So in your case, what you're experiencing makes sense - you're getting a boost and then your levels are rapidly falling back down and this cycle is being repeated over and over again. Your body is never leveling out, it's just a constant up and down.

The reason some doctors prescribe injections once every two to three weeks is two fold. Some are simply paranoid regarding testosterone and while well intended simply have little to no training, education or understanding of TRT. Secondly, the original inserts on testosterone packages call for one injection every two weeks. This was before we fully understood how the hormone worked in this fashion and those old package inserts still exist today - many of the pharmaceutical companies simply haven't updated them.

Options - you can try talking to your doctor about these things and see what he says. But you may find seeking out a new doctor to be your best bet. A lot of doctors get stuck in the old TRT ways and can't seem to get out of them. If you do decide to find a new doctor, don't get too stuck on titles. Being an endocrinologist doesn't really help or hurt - what matters is does the particular doctor understand TRT or not? And any doctor can learn about TRT if he makes the effort; in fact, you'll find some of the best TRT doctors from all walks of medical practice.

Thanks for the response. So next blood draw that is in 4 weeks and my levels are all screws up still. How would I go about talking to my doctor about possible dosing strategies? I have found a lot of doctors do not like patients that have educated themselves.

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Originally Posted by Dale38

Thanks for the response. So next blood draw that is in 4 weeks and my levels are all screws up still. How would I go about talking to my doctor about possible dosing strategies? I have found a lot of doctors do not like patients that have educated themselves.

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You're right, some physicians seem to take it personal when the patient has looked into a topic. In some cases it's understandable as doctors often have to deal with patients that pull bit and pieces of information from all over the place. However, in other cases, there are basic facts that are very difficult to ignore. Some education tips, look into Nelson Vergel's book "Testosterone A Man's Guide" or "The Low T Book" by Dr. Rob Kominiarek. You'll find the recommendations are very similar to what I mentioned above. Mention these to your doctor as well as look into some of the studies and data online provided by Dr. Abraham Morgentaler. There is also plenty of good information on our website, lowtestosterone.com

Are you a doctor? No reasoning behind the question, but you seem very knowledgable about this medical topic. Again thanks for your insight

No, I'm not a doctor.

What type of doctor should I research?

There's isn't a specific type that's going to be better than another. For example, many tend to lean towards endocrinologist; after all, they're hormone doctors. However, despite being hormone doctors the majority have little understanding of testosterone. They're great with thyroids, diabetes, etc. but for some reason most still treat testosterone just like they did in the 1970's. Your best course of action - options:

1. Go to the A4M website and search for a doctor in your area. Most all of these doctors will have a good understanding.
2. Call lowtestosterone.com and see if they have a doctor in your area - all of these doctors practice TRT in similar fashion to A4M.

I checked the A4M website. Never knew that stuff was out there. What I am going to do is just give my dr a chance to get this right. After my next blood levels come back and if they are still low I am going to talk to him about either a more frequent dose. All the research I have done to include this forum I should have the knowledge to talk to him. He needs to understand that on 100mg of Test is fine but it needs to be spread out, one injection at least a week. I like I have said before after my injection of 100mg I feel good, mood is better, sex life with wife gets better, I am stronger in the gym. And I just feel better about myself. He needs to know that about almost a week later I feel like I am slipping back to way it was. No sex drive, etc. a little down on myself. Insecure as my dick doesn't work, and get less and less energy. I have no doubt that he will still treat the symptoms. A lot of doctors treat symptoms. If you are depressed they have no problem handing out anti depression medications. They never look into the root of the problem. So my levels may come back a little better but I still have the symptoms, those should be addressed. If the injections seem to work, keep going. Just like depression medications. If Porzac works, keep prescribing it. And just because my blood levels could be in the low normal range, that range is different for everyone. I may have symptoms at a different level than someone else. Everyone's body is different. So I have to educate myself and try to steer the doctor the right way. He is a young doctor so he should not be to set in his stubborn ways yet. If I am not thinking right, help. You have been good educator. Thank you

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Originally Posted by Justin

There's isn't a specific type that's going to be better than another. For example, many tend to lean towards endocrinologist; after all, they're hormone doctors. However, despite being hormone doctors the majority have little understanding of testosterone. They're great with thyroids, diabetes, etc. but for some reason most still treat testosterone just like they did in the 1970's. Your best course of action - options:

1. Go to the A4M website and search for a doctor in your area. Most all of these doctors will have a good understanding.
2. Call lowtestosterone.com and see if they have a doctor in your area - all of these doctors practice TRT in similar fashion to A4M.

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Justin...I'm 5 days into my first injection and scared shitless. Really haven't had anyone to chat with about this...I got lab work done cause I felt depressed, little more tired than usual, and muscle mass would NOT stay on..but I kind of thought it was falling off cause I didn't have the motivation to get my ass to the gym. I also thought the depression was because I had gone on a 4 day MDMA bender in Vegas for a music festival and thought it messed up my system pretty bad. After getting my blood work here is my results:
Test Total: 220
Free: 44
Sex Binding Globulin 20
Albumin 4.6
I guess I went into the specialist and drink the kool-aid. I took the injection, agreed to come back once a week for 4 weeks and then do lab work again..agreed to estrogen blockers, and some shit that makes me harder...I gotta admit I'm nervous as hell about the future as Im' only 33.
I eat very clean, hardly drink, quit doing drugs now (scared they caused this), I use to have energy on energy on energy man...did mountain races last 2 years in Colorado..Tough Mudders, cross-fit, you name it....Please hit me up anyone with advise or just someone to vent with.

The trip to Vegas as you described could have had a negative affect on your testosterone levels. How much so and how long that negative affect would last is hard to say. If you had the blood work done just a few days after it may not have been that accurate. Granted, your levels are low and are probably on the lower end regardless but how much so considering your bender is hard to say.

As for being nervous or scared about TRT, many are but it's a pretty safe and simple process if you stay on top of it and do what your doctor ask you to. If you don't actually need it then that's another story, not that it is going to cause severe danger but there's no reason to do things you don't need.