Thinking of TRT - Looking for advice

[dm68]

Hi guys, first ever post here. Hope its not to dumb ass .

I'm 46, great shape, but my libido and dick are not what they used to be. Viagra and Cialis worked great for first year, but now not working at all. Had my blood work done for free and total T and I am low. I am thinking of Androgel, Testim and maybe even going IM.

I've literally read hundreds of posts and dozens of papers on TRT, and I am still unclear if this shit is going to help my libido or make me worse.

Seems like the recurring story goes, you go on the gel, works for a while (good energy good libido), then stops working due to your natural production shutting down/and or your skin thickening up, or your E2 goes to high. Then you have to do AI to get E2 under control. Then you end up going IM.

I am ok being on this stuff for the rest of my life, as long as it works, i.e. gives me a decent libido.

Not looking to get big, just want my libido back.

[Praetorian]

Prior to going on TRT...have you had blood work done? What is your health like...ie height and weight?

P

[dm68]

Thanks for the response P,

I have had blood work done. My doc says its "pristine", total test was low normal. Free test was low , below normal.

I am 6 ft, 220lb. I have about 10lb to loose before the beach. I run about 25km a week and lift too.

Its a lot I know. Its my midlife crisis + divorce. Life is good, but I met this fantastic girl, and I want to be able to keep up.

I have been weght training (natural) for 30 years. I am big enough. Just looking to get my libido fired back up

[Praetorian]

First thing I would do is drop the 10lbs...most likely its 20+lbs as most dont see just how much they carry. Take a picture in your underwear and then analyze...you will see what i mean. I would think you will feel much better at 200lbs and this drop may help...also look at your diet....how much good fats are you eating...a lack of good fats will drop testosterone like a rock. Are you training with weights at least 4 times weekly? If not you should be as that will also help boost test.

As per your blood work free test is most important...being below normal accounts for a lack of libido for sure. All of the above suggestions may help but if the issue is genetic you may need TRT...all I am saying is give the above a try first...once you start TRT you on on for life. You may also want to try an AI like aromasin to see if that may help to improve the estrogen to testosterone ratio.

P

[dm68]

Does TRT work for libido ? I mean not for just a few weeksn but for the duration of therapy. Know nothing is clear cut in life, but if I watch my E2, and go IM to side step reduction in apsorption (gel), will the higher free T get me back? Does it work this way for most guys?

[Praetorian]

Of course TRT works for libido that's the point. If free T levels are within the normal range then libido should be fine. It really doesnt matter the method of transport whether IM, gel, patch etc...as long as your free T levels are increased libido will increase as well. The issue is do you want to try to raise T levels naturally prior to going on TRT....as once you start TRT you will be on it most likely for life.

P

[cog]

Things start to be a struggle in the later 40's dm68.