DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Low T/ Testoterone replacement

Does anyone on here have any experience with this type of thing...

I am looking at some articles online, but wondering if anyone can give me some insight on what to expect with a testoterone treatment.

I know that there are tons of commercials on TV for this, and there are tons of side effects too, so I am kind of up in the air about beginning this.

At any rate, I see a doctor every month because I am on a medication to treat a chronic condition...not anything really serious, but it does require me to take a pill daily. Anyway, last month they wanted to run some blood tests on me to make sure everything was good...and everything was good; except teh doctor pointed out that my testoterone levels were extremely low. He pointed to some chart saying that normal levels were on this scale where 250 was on the low side, and 1100 was on the high side....and my levels were at 148, which, being 31, he said that was really low.

He then offered to give me a 10mL vial of 200mg Testoterone. And have me administer 1mL per month, or something like that. I declined b/c I wanted to do some research on my own before I tried it out. And I checked with my pharmacist and he said that the medication, for nearly a year supply, would run me around $24.95.

The cost seems really reasonable, given the cost of the alternative (GNC-type supplements costing close to $80/month.). And a couple people I know said that I should definitely do it, as it really has helped to get people moving again...as in, alleviate fatigue, depression, and help with a general feeling of well-being. And the Dr. pointed out that after 6-12 months, the body usually will compensate, and start producing again at a regular level.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with this?

Because I am on Morphine long term, and other medications, my testosterone levels bottomed out. It wiped me out really badly. I had no energy whatsoever.

My doctor put me on Androgel. It definitely helps, but it is expensive as all get out. ($300/month) Luckily Abbott (the company that makes Androgel) has a program for people without health insurance who fall into certain income guidelines. (your income can't be low enough to qualify for Medicaid, for example) I qualified for a year's worth for free. (sent 3 months at a time) I'll then get Medicare. I'll also have new blood work done then to see if I need to continue.

It's really easy to use. You just put one "pump" of the medication on each shoulder, and rub it in. It's a once per day procedure. I don't think that I would want to shoot myself up. I have read that the shoulder applied testosterone is much more stable and even than the injectable type, which can lead to mood swings and such as it is running down in your system and you approach your next injection date.

After I had Cancer, I seemed to have lost all energy and desire. Doc put me on testoterone shots once every two weeks for 6 months and I was back to feeling way better. In ever aspect of life. I'm 61 now and feeling pretty good, but if I thought I needed it again, I'd go to the doctor and get the shots again. It works very well.

I don't know a thing about stuff you see advertised on TV.. I'd ask the doctor.

You need to decide if you trust your doctor. If you trust him, try doing what he prescribes. If you don't, find another doctor. But try to avoid doing too much online "research" - the internet is a mixed blessing. There's all kind of information out there, but a lot of it is garbage. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

I trust him enough, and having test results to back up some of the symptoms that I have.....I definitely think that its reasonable to explore the potential with this treatment.

Had I been more borderline with my results, and if everything was peachy in my life I wouldn't even consider it...but currently, I think it could have a lot of benefits...

Thanks for all the replies....

Edit: Nevermind, ugh it;s my monday.

Yeah that's LOW dude. I'm 31 and my levels were 247 last month, which was down 80 points from just 8 months ago when I got my first bloods done. Which is still "normal" but being into bodybuilding, I flat out told, him that level was NOT acceptable for me and I would use illegal means to get my levels up if I had to.

He put me on Clomid about 3 weeks ago, which is an estrogen blocker. My mood has been much, much better, my energy levels are way up. I feel alot better, I am supposed to go get another set of bloods done within the next week to see just how much it affected my test levels.

If you want to have children I would stay away from T-Replacement, it pretty much makes you sterile because your body will not produce T anymore.

Like BGP said Clomid works fine for a temporary fix.

I would explore dietary issues first to see if what you are eating is contributing to the problem and there is a good chance it is . I have a hatred of Big Pharma that is borderline obsessive so any chance I get to not use pharmaceuticals is like a ray of sunshine to me.