Maybe time for TRT, what to do?

[Tom]

just got my testosterone level back from the doc. it's 318...low normal and i do have some symptoms, low energy, mild depression, low libido but here's the kicker....my workouts are pretty good, good pumps, good strength for my age (54) and still look decent. my hesitation is trt is pretty much for life once you start. you have to adjust test, estrogen, check adrenal function etc. and weekly injections of test, hcg, and adex for the rest of my life. the other option is to go on as i am but i know there are so many advantages to having test in the upper normal range. i was thinking of just trying .25 adex every third day as i think that may put my test in the 600 range. i always appreciate the feedback i get from the members here and look forward to hearing all your opinions and in this case especially those with low normal test either on trt or not. thanks.

 

[alecaf]

man to be 54 and be in the low normal is an accomplishment all by itself. Seems like you always did the PCTs right. I say go for it man. At your age it will only benefit you. Just make sure you get weekly injections.
cus some doctors will give you an injection once every two weeks. Also, lot of people I've seen on forums say they prefer injections over gel and patch.

 

[machola]

i was thinking of just trying .25 adex every third day as i think that may put my test in the 600 range.

doctors will try this if excessive aromatase activity is the reason for the low test level. is your estrogen high? if not you won't want to add adex. it will drive estrogen too low

 

[Ashop]

just got my testosterone level back from the doc. it's 318...low normal and i do have some symptoms, low energy, mild depression, low libido but here's the kicker....my workouts are pretty good, good pumps, good strength for my age (54) and still look decent. my hesitation is trt is pretty much for life once you start. you have to adjust test, estrogen, check adrenal function etc. and weekly injections of test, hcg, and adex for the rest of my life. the other option is to go on as i am but i know there are so many advantages to having test in the upper normal range. i was thinking of just trying .25 adex every third day as i think that may put my test in the 600 range. i always appreciate the feedback i get from the members here and look forward to hearing all your opinions and in this case especially those with low normal test either on trt or not. thanks.

You could try the .25mg ADEX and see where that puts you and how you feel.

 

[Thor]

YES

doctors will try this if excessive aromatase activity is the reason for the low test level. is your estrogen high? if not you won't want to add adex. it will drive estrogen too low

and could kill your sex drive.

 

[JohnnyPro]

I'm 53 and I was doing 250 mgs of test a week for over a year. I never used arimidex. I did use hcg every 5 days. I wanted to take a break for a while so I decided to come off and didn't have any problems. I used clomid for a couple weeks but that's all the pct I did. My sex drive is back to normal and I feel fine. I lost size though, but that's to be expected. I've been natty since Thanksgiving and will be going back on in a few days.

 

[Tom]

anybody else

any more to add to this?

 

[Massive G]

Tom,
when was the blood worked pulled?
Am or Pm test levels will be somewhat higher in the am.
Also a male in his 50's is primed for HRT. If you were in your late 20's mid 30's I would recommend against it, but the medically prescribed HRT can really improve your quality of life in a lot of ways.
You also have to remember that your training diet and active lifestyle are also keeping that level above what it would normally be. for example it may be 125-150 ng/dl if you were a normal guy.

The blood test is just a snapshot anyway it can vary but it is very accurate if taken under the same time and conditions.

There is mounting evidence linking low testosterone levels to long-term medical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and depression. (Several studies document this).

A-dex can be harsh on cholesterol levels, if I were you I'd seek out your PCP and or eventually an endocronoligist-for possible administrations vs the gel or shot or implant.

 

[power2403]

trt

I am 34 and about 2 years ago I went and had dr check my test level. It came back at 240. My only symptom was never could get caught up on sleep. I had never taken anything before dr tried to prescribe me with androgel which i turned down and finally went and found a dr on the level. Was taking 300 mg a week of test cyp for 6 months and nothing else and it bumped my test level up to better then 1500 . I go back and see him once every 6 months to get bloodwork done and everything checked out. Cholesterol up just a fraction nothing dangerous. Thats it.

 

[thebrick]

Tom… Its interesting what you said… it almost parallels to the letter what this guy said about himself in this news clip about TRT. At 54, I certainly would have no hesitation about starting TRT. I was about 50 when I went to the doc and started myself. No regrets at all.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/01/27/fortin.hm.male.hormones.cnn

 

[phatkid77]

i would ge tthe scripts for test, HCG and adex...

then do what you propose..take 1/4 tab eod of ADEX and assess in a few weeks, no better add the test...

IM NOT SOLD ON HCG, only for appearance and fertitlity, (which at 54 i doubt is a concern)... i dont feel any better on it...my levels dont increase (only estrogen), but my balls are a normal size...not sure if its worth it or not...

phats