I'm thinking of getting my Testosterone checked! Anyone else been thru this?

[northrock]

I welcome all advice please.  I'm thinking of getting my testosterone checked.  I've been doing some reading and discovered that I have most of the symptoms of low testosterone.  I am depressed, erectile dysfunction, lack of energy, HIV+, etc. 

I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this and if they got on testosterone treatments and if they helped.  I've called the doctor for the test but haven't been scheduled yet.  Just trying to get some facts before i go.  Thanks to all who comment.

[veritas]

wharch,

It's a simple blood test to measure the testosterone in your body. Replacement therapy is simple--- there are gels and injections. Your doctor will advise which is best for you. Here's some info:

http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/testosterone-replacement-therapy

Not to worry!

v

[WillyWump]

Hi Warch,

I'm on Androderm, which is the patch. I was previosuly on Androgel which is the gel version you rub into your skin.

Yes, it works. No, it's not a silver bullet cure-all.

My energy has increased, my sex drive has increased and I generally feel a bit better. But, admittedly, my response has not been as great as others see....after 6 or so months my response has been muted (test is still low at 71), so doc is looking at starting injections on me.

Your mileage may vary.

Good luck!
-Will

[northrock]

Does getting on the patches or gel help with weight loss as well?  I work out 2-3x week and really have a low caloric intake (granted not the most healthy calories) so if I am placed on gel or whatever will i hopefully see a side affect of leaner body?  That's ultimately not my goal it's the lack of sex drive etc. that has me really down and the depression is just stacked on top of that.  Just curious about all of this since I'm moving into uncharted territories here.  anyone had any POSITIVE side affects like body mass, etc. as well as increased sex drive?

[mecch]

Well I'll give you the opposite experience of not being prescribed the juice (testosterone).  

"I have most of the symptoms of low testosterone.  I am depressed, erectile dysfunction, lack of energy, HIV+, etc."

So I went to the hormone specialist and he said my testosterone is fine. He pointed out that I was depressed before I got HIV.  And that I am treated for that now.  He sent me back to my shrink who is sending me to a nutritionist.  The end result is that the HIV doc, the shrink, and the hormone doc all told me to take up all sporty activities I quit when I got depressed and got HIV.  

On a technical note: remember - HIV+ is not a "symptom" of anything.  Maybe a cause sometimes.

And that depression can cause all those things you are noting - lack of energy, erectile dysfunctionl, weight gain, etc etc.  

So in addition to seeing if you need the juice, are you also seeing if you need mental health attention? treatment?

Best.

[Miss Philicia]

doc is looking at starting injections on me.

If you go the injection route a word from the wise: invest in a really large dildo because you'll be bouncing off the walls with horniness.  Well, unless you want to spend hours searching for Mr. Big on manhunt.

[Miss Philicia]

Does getting on the patches or gel help with weight loss as well?  I work out 2-3x week and really have a low caloric intake (granted not the most healthy calories) so if I am placed on gel or whatever will i hopefully see a side affect of leaner body?  That's ultimately not my goal it's the lack of sex drive etc. that has me really down and the depression is just stacked on top of that.  Just curious about all of this since I'm moving into uncharted territories here.  anyone had any POSITIVE side affects like body mass, etc. as well as increased sex drive?

You'd see more of the lean body mass stuff getting injections -- that's what's given if it's medically indicated that one has HIV-releated wasting issues, which it seems is not what you're describing.  I've been on both injections (5 years of them) and gel (couple of years, though I'm on zilch at present).  Injections caused me to eat massive amounts of food, but instead of eating junk I existed on lots of protein-laden chicken breasts, brown rice and steamed veggies and hit the gym five times a week (no cardio, just free weights) and bulked up nicely in no time.

[WillyWump]

If you go the injection route a word from the wise: invest in a really large dildo because you'll be bouncing off the walls with horniness.  Well, unless you want to spend hours searching for Mr. Big on manhunt.

That's what worries me, I already get a jittery "rush" just from the patch and gel (although nothing like you describe), matter of fact Doc wanted to start me on injecs  at my last visit, but I asked to continue patch for another 3 months to avoid the big highs and lows that Ive heard of with the injections, in hopes I would show a increase on the patch. Also, I dont handle "extreme horniness" well, it always gets me into trouble (er, thats why Im here), so thats another reason i dont want the injections, oh and also, I dislike needles immensely.

-Will

[Assurbanipal]

Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir. 
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? 
Benjamin: Yes, I am. 
Mr. McGuire: Plastics. Dildo
Benjamin: Just how do you mean that, sir?

[tednlou2]

I got mine checked and I was on the low end for total and free.  However, I was told after the fact that I should have done the test in the morning--which I didn't.  I was told if my levels were within the norm (albeit on the low end) when I gave blood in the afternoon, then I should be okay.  I trust I was given good info.  Plus, I can still get an erection, so they said I must be fine.  They said my problem was probably more depression causing me to feel tired and less interests in sex. 

[darkerpozz]

I had the low energy, depressed,HIV+, lack of motivation and I had my testosterone checked and it was miraculously high so my mood was not because of testos... the my doc introduced me to my savior ABILIFY which has been next to miraculous at getting me up and out of the house and giddy to do anything, raging erection, horny and anything else positive you could think of to encourage me. What it does is magnify whatever the antidepressant your on is doing and it doesn't take 3-4 weeks to feel effects. You feel in less than a week and I haven't any side effects. I LOVE it I am a bit too lkively at the moment could be dosage but I haven't felt this up in ages. Tried the clear gel you rub in and it does build muscle easier than normal for me an injections are usually only given for wasting I think? good luck

[tednlou2]

I had the low energy, depressed,HIV+, lack of motivation and I had my testosterone checked and it was miraculously high so my mood was not because of testos... the my doc introduced me to my savior ABILIFY which has been next to miraculous at getting me up and out of the house and giddy to do anything, raging erection, horny and anything else positive you could think of to encourage me. What it does is magnify whatever the antidepressant your on is doing and it doesn't take 3-4 weeks to feel effects. You feel in less than a week and I haven't any side effects. I LOVE it I am a bit too lkively at the moment could be dosage but I haven't felt this up in ages. Tried the clear gel you rub in and it does build muscle easier than normal for me an injections are usually only given for wasting I think? good luck

I've noticed a trend in combining depression meds.  I know people who take wellbutrin with zoloft or cymbalta.  I've not tried that yet.  I'm always worried about combining too many meds, but I know it is safe most of the time. 

[red_Dragon888]

This is what bothers me, you don't have that old sex crazed feeling of a hard-on when you want it, you lost that loving or horny feeling, the Doctor says you're in good range so you don't need anything, but what the hell is good range.  Maybe some people it is normal to have high levels of Testosterone.  There was a time that I was drowning in my Testosterone High which means that it was a high like the "zipless fly;" however, now it is controlable or lower sex drive but not what it use to be.  Not that I want to be a sex crazed monster again (or do I), but for me it does question who decides what is a proper range.  Does the range accounts for this?  I think not.  Or maybe "The Powers That Be" want people to have a population with low Testosterone.  That and the Doctors don't care and probably fears that they may add to a overly sex driven population of "Horny men."

[WillyWump]

injections are usually only given for wasting I think? good luck

hmmm, I'm not sure about that as my doc wants me on Injecs because the gel and patch hasnt really worked, and I'm not wasting. But I could be an anomoly.

-Will

[Jeff G]

testosterone replacement varies from one doc to the next as to who and how its perscribed

I now have my step dad and uncle on the gel . Testosterone replacement is becoming the new it therapy for men it seems . A couple of years ago most docs wouldn't even discuss it .

[tokyodecadence]

My doctor actually did it the last time she took my labs, just as a part of the whole shebang. All good here!

[Miss Philicia]

Q: what are the risks of long term testosterone therapy?

[Jeff G]

Q: what are the risks of long term testosterone therapy?

My doctors say its minimal risk at therapeutic doses , its not like a weight lifter juicing at large doses .

My docs does a regular psa test to check for prostrate problems .

[edfu]

Q: what are the risks of long term testosterone therapy?

A:  Premature balding, acne, and a lack of manners and a high propensity to use vulgar language. 

[red_Dragon888]

A:  Premature balding, acne, and a lack of manners and a high propensity to use vulgar language.  

You forgot to add the BO factor...

[tednlou2]

Q: what are the risks of long term testosterone therapy?

Whenever I've asked that question, I've been told there haven't been enough studies to say really.  I suppose this is the same debate about giving young kids growth hormones when they don't seem to develop at the same rate as their peers??

[redbull]

I had all of your symptoms except the e.d. and I had my test. checked,  it actually came out on the high end of the spectrum  Dr said I had low energy because my #'s had been so low and my immune system was slowly coming back. 

[tednlou2]

I was watching the evening news and came across this commercial.  They asked whether you don't have the same energy or sex drive.  They said, "Maybe you have low T".  I'm thinking what is low T?  I knew what they were talking about, but is testosterone a dirty word now?  They link you to a website to find out more.  It from Abbott Pharm.  Below isn't the TV ad, but the Abbott website for it.

http://isitlowt.com/

[Jeff G]

I'm thinking the Low T term is an advertising catch phrase . kinda like meow meow meow etc . is to cat food .

[Hellraiser]

I'm thinking the Low T term is an advertising catch phrase . kinda like meow meow meow etc . is to cat food .

I can't help but now combine the two and I imagine mega muscled kitties in a deep husky voice saying MEOW MEOW MEOW

[tednlou2]

I'm thinking the Low T term is an advertising catch phrase . kinda like meow meow meow etc . is to cat food .

Yeah, it is probably a marketing phrase.  Maybe they've done marketing research that says when they say low testosterone, it makes men turn away from it thinking it means they aren't manly.  The commercial made no mention of testosterone, so they obviously didn't mention it for some reason.

[Miss Philicia]

Yeah, it is probably a marketing phrase.  Maybe they've done marketing research that says when they say low testosterone, it makes men turn away from it thinking it means they aren't manly.  The commercial made no mention of testosterone, so they obviously didn't mention it for some reason.

Bodybuilding steroid abusers use the term.

[mecch]

I like "juice" because its easily confounded with the equally "does a body good" (? er maybe not) sperm.

[red_Dragon888]

Did you get it checked?

[northrock]

Yes I did get it checked and it was in the normal range - whatever that is - and that was awhile back.  I still have a very low sex drive and no desire to get up and do anything.  I will admit that I'm somewhat depressed and I'm on meds for that issue but damn I wish I could do something to get out of this funk.  I think i'm going to ask my doc about it and see what his thoughts are to me getting on the gel.  If anything it will give me a boost of energy to start working out again, to loose weight, and generally start enjoying life again.

[WillyWump]

Hey North,

While i can appreciate the desire to get your sex drive back and get more energy I dont think your doc will prescribe you gel when your levels are normal.

Also, Testo treatment has some side effects, such as shrinking testes and facial pimples. Not to mention agitation. Trust me on this I'm on Testo replacement therapy and I'm dealing with all three.

I think you should focus on your potential depression as a cause for your low sex drive and no energy. Talk to your doc and maybe change your meds if they are not working. Also one on one therapy works wonders.

Hope you get it sorted out buddy.

-Will

[northrock]

Will, thank you very much for those words of advice.  You are probably correct and that I should concentrate on the other versus the testosterone.  As a side note i do see a therapist 2x a week and it is helping but not fast enough for me!  Oh what a life!

[PozJeepGuy]

I just went and had my done.  It came back at 300 and the range is 256-886.  Being 36 doc says I should be at or around 5-6 hundred.  Just started today using androgel.  I went and told my doctor how run down I feel, having problems consentrating, abnormal weight gain, and losing muscle definition.  Then he turns me and asked the most important question is, do you wake up with morning wood.  I had to stop and think about it for a minute and I had to admit its been a few month es.  Well hell its been month es for a lot of things. lol  So day one not really feeling anything but I'm hoping with in two weeks we see something happen. I have the thoughts in my head that I want to get back out there but no follow through with the campers down south. The others is right its a quick test and your doc. will tell you your next option.