Your symptoms are common low t symptoms, although most men (not all but most) will typically have either a decreased libido or some level of erectile dysfunction. Again, this isn't always the case but it's common.

TRT itself, one very important thing to remember about TRT is it's not like most medical practices or drugs. For example, if you're in pain you can take a pain killer and the pain goes away, it's masked. With TRT you can take testosterone but that's not going to do away with all your symptoms. TRT takes time and that is a frustrating thing for a lot of guys to hear especially since it can take a lot of time.

How much time? Most men will find the symptoms of low testosterone to be significantly improved in 8-12wks of treatment but that doesn't mean they are back to 100%. During that 8-12wk period, this is also assuming you are dialed in. By dialed in this means both your testosterone and estradiol levels are at an optimal level and stable. This means your levels aren't all over the place and equally important that the type of testosterone you're using is right for you (more on that in a bit). So the 8-12wks is assuming you're dialed in. It's generally recommended that you have followup blood work 5-8wks after starting treatment so that dosing adjustments can be made if needed. Now as far as the full benefits of TRT, this can take up to a year and that's assuming you've been consistent with treatment. It's also assuming you're getting proper rest, a good diet and healthy lifestyle. That doesn't mean you have to suffer for a year, once the benefits start happening you should be able to tell a difference but it can take a year for the full benefits. After a year it's all about maintaining what you have. Stop TRT and you'll go back to your prior low levels state and you would have to start all over again should you start again.

Types of testosterone - transdermals like creams and gels can work well for some men but they also have about a 20% fail rate, meaning in approximately 20% of men they won't work. It's not that it's bad testosterone, their body simply can't absorb it. The other issue with transdermals is that they work well but in time the body stops absorbing it as well and you end up needing more and more. Don't misunderstand, they do work well for a lot of men but you will want to be open and consider other options should you need to. Injectable testosterone, specifically Testosterone Cypionate or Testosterone Enanthate (they're virtually identical) will work in all men each time. There is no issue with absorption.

Things you'll always need to keep an eye on:

You always want to keep an eye on the thickness of your blood, hematocrit, RBC's, etc. If blood begins to get too thick you would either have to stop TRT and go back to the low level state or begin the process of donating blood periodically. Not all men need to donate blood due to TRT (majority do not) but some do. It may be a pint of blood 1-2 times per year or in some cases every 90 days.

Keep an eye on your estradiol levels. If estradiol is too low or too high this can cause some of the same symptoms as low testosterone even if your testosterone levels are perfect. If you're doctor does not measure this you will want to find a new doctor. You also want the sensitive estradiol test, not the standard as the standard is inaccurate for men. You may find supplementing with zinc keeps estradiol under control if needed or in some cases you may need an aromatase inhibitor like Anastrozole.

It's also important to keep in mind that if your testosterone levels and estradiol levels are perfect, it's still possible to have symptoms. The reason for this is you can have low testosterone and have other issues that are not testosterone related going on in your body. For example, a man has low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, he corrects the testosterone levels but still has erectile dysfunction. Often he'll become frustrated (understandably) but it could be that he also has a blood flow issue. We can have all sorts of health issues from vitamin deficiencies to thyroid issues. Maybe testosterone is the only issue and often it is but we always want to be aware that testosterone isn't the only thing going on in the body.

Lastly, always remember free testosterone is the most important number. Total testosterone is all the testosterone in the body but free testosterone is what your body has access to use. If total testosterone is high and free testosterone is low you will have low testosterone symptoms.

I hope this info helps. Please feel free to ask any questions or share anything else that comes to mind.