I've chimed in a handful of times over the years and probably this thread.
Think I am in my 8th year of HRT. I've done hormonal self "boosting", done injectable. And have now advanced to cream. Some of my findings:
- I am VERY sensitive to testosterone. Per my MD I am on one of the LOWEST doses out of all his clients. I simply process it differently for whatever reason.
- At 45 my initial scan was maybe 405 total. I started post divorce and being in a mentally rough spot. Even out my moods and emotions. F'ing with hormones to assist in natural T production was bad juju. Anastrolzole and Clomophine was not good for me.
- At 48 I went injectable. Got over my needle phobia. Never was a fan. I worked it out after a bit. A non issue now. Think Cypionate. The "usual"? The "Charts" generally "top out" at 1200 I think. I've been all over the place over the years. 1500+ once. Usually try to cruise 700-800.
- At 53 my labs last month had me at 787 and 30.2 FREE. The Free is the "real" number and 30 is quite a bit (I am not a Pro. I have not followed along with all things Mens Hormones over the years. Don't take my word as gospel)
- MY doctor is Top Notch. My former TRT salesman was a Gym Bro and sold you anything. Had waaaay too many clients to fully monitor well.
- Labs- my new Dr- EXTREMELY thorough. Labs are EXTENSIVE. Thyroid, every lipid panel known, Vitamin D- He is VERY high on Vitamin D recommending ABOVE what most Dr do. I think many people are low. You simply can't soak up enough naturally. DHEA- runs that panel also. Another overlooked supplement.
My overall thoughts.....I suffered a Vertebral Artery Dissection Nov '23. Lucky to have not died. Stroke. Kinda forgot about it after a while. I most likely had a TIA last month. Right side got heavy....mini stroke. Stats say 1 in 5 suffer a major stroke follow up within 90 days. A shitty way to live mentally. I simply dont think I am going to last very long. Just my cards.
Blood pressure is up. Like not healthy up. Was running 140/100.
We didn't do a warm vacation this winter- which usually gives me motivation to lose a few pounds, eat better and clean things up. I did not. My job is very stressful and I am "on call" 24/7. That does not help. I occasionally would smoke 2 cigarettes on Friday after work to decompress (sorry...but soooo good) and have a handful of beers. My cholesterol is TERRIBLE. If HDL max is 1000...I think mine in last labs was 2980.
That mini stroke was a wake up call. I simply cannot live like that.
And when the medical providers tell you EVERY time "Eat better and get some exercise"- finding out at 50+ that is the biggest Bang for the Buck there is.
In less than a month of super clean eating and adding some long, slow cardio in...my BP is back down to 128/85ish.
In summary- would I do TRT again? Not so sure. My current provider is VERY good. Cutting edge. Reads lots of international studies. Very Huberman like. But he is expensive. He's $80 per month just as a retainer. His initial consult is a cash system and pretty spendy. But it will be a thorough assessment of your blood panel. You insulin resistance, your thyroid, your lipids, all your hormone levels and your Test. Most get so focused on Test levels they do not look at Estrogen. There is a balance ratio needed between them. And a T level of 1000 means shit if your Estrogen is way off.
My wife sees him as a client also. Been a game changer for menopause. She gets both Test and Estrogen.....and the D !
And there is a ton of shit that goes into mood, wellness and aging.
