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Member Stories
#1

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#2

Thanks for your story, it is very encouraging.

I’m assuming the endo is monitoring your hormones? If so, how often and what have you been tested for? There could be other factors at play which may be “interfering” with the TRT’s ability to exert a full effect at lower dosages, such as:

  • elevated Estrogens (Estradiol, Estrone)

  • elevated SHBG (binding up Free Testosterone)

  • elevated Prolactin (kills sex drive)

  • elevated Progesterone (kills sex drive)

  • elevated TSH (hypothyroidism can affect sex drive/prolactin secretion)

  • low DHT or 5AR2 activity post-Finasteride – propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761

  • other hormones which if out of range could be playing a role.

Besides erectile ability:

  • how is your actual LIBIDO – are you horny again? Fantasizing/thinking about sex a lot throughout the day?

  • Did you have penile/scrotal shrinkage and if so, has size returned?

  • Did you have penile/scrotal numbness and if so, has sensitivity returned?

  • Did you no longer have spontaneous/nocturnal/morning erections after Propecia, and if so have these returned?

  • Emotionally, did you feel “flat” after Finasteride/drop in T levels, and has the TRT restored your ability to “feel”/get excited/have a zest for life?

Thanks.

#3

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#4

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#5

Thanks for the reply.

TRT can obviously elevate Testosterone levels and when elevated, Testosterone will aromatize into Estrogen. I would at the very least get your estrogen levels checked (Estradiol, ultrasensitive – Quest Diagnostics).

Often men on TRT have to be put on an Aromatase Inhibitor like Arimidex at a low dose E3D to control excess estrogen-related issues (weight gain, water retention, gynecomastia, decrease sex drive etc), which can interfere with the TRT.

#6

  • Are you aware testicular/leydig cell atrophy & infertility can occur while on TRT (it is well known since extraneous T surpresses endogeneous T production/spermatogenesis)? Did your endo discuss this outcome of treatment with you? If not, you might want to consider hCG injections (an LH Analogue) to maintain spermatogenesis/testicular size while on TRT. There are stickies in DRUG THERAPY section about this.

  • Did you consider, or were you aware you could try jumpstarting your system (Clomid, hCG or Tamoxifen) to produce more T first, before resorting to TRT?

Without checking you have no idea what kind of impact the TRT is having, hormonally speaking. Monitoring hormone levels should be a part of any TRT regimen, especially considering PSA and Hematocrit can also be affected.

Does your endo not believe in monitoring a patient that has been prescribed TRT, or is it more a matter that you don’t think it’s necessary? Just curious.

#7

He was previously aware of Finasteride-related ED and drop in T levels after quitting? What kind of insights did he have to share as to the cause of our Post-Fin syndrome?

Another user’s experience with TRT + Proviron:

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2261

#8

Hi Dustin,

Thanks for your story. First of all, it caught my attention how much testosterone you are using a week. Man, i am sorry to say that, but it is WAY too much… Are you using something to counter act the effects of Estradiol conversion? If not, this could be the reason you felt the need to bump your dosage. Also, bodybuilders use this dosage on cycles, NOT WEEKLY.
Also, you need to test your hormones at least every six months, but in the begining it should be about two months or so. You need to check your hematocrit as Mew stated. Sorry if i am being a pain in the neck, just worried about your health. Other than that, good luck, and keep us posted.

#9

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#10

dustin, thanks for sharing your story. Not a doctor here, but have been reading a great deal about secondary hypogonadism since being diagnosed in mid 2007, 5 long years after stopping several months of fin usage.

Bodybuilders tend to take things in excess, I have heard the maximum safe dosage is more like 200 mg/week.
You may have created a large surge in estradiol.

On a bright note, there has been some recent discussion of the need for “supraphysiological” (above the normal range) testosterone supplementation in order to combat the [presumed] androgen desensitivity we all seem to have to one degree or another. So it would be interesting to see if you have effected any sort of cure just by upregulating your receptors.

There are other, more natural ways to counteract the low testosterone. If your liver is otherwise ok then clomiphene citrate is the most natural at low dosage. By masking hypothalmic receptors it causes the pulsatile (e.g. natural biorythmic) release of GnRH, in turn causing pituitary to release LH and signal the testes to make T naturally. If you are young enough and lucky enough it can actually restart your HPTA. I am testing that right now even though I’m on the side of being too old for it to happen. See My Recovery Via Clomid thread, and note that 50 mg EOD is the maximum dosage to consider that is backed up by sound medical studies. Hope this helps - kazman

#11

Kazman - I am currently in my 11th week on Clomid. At about the end of week 8 I thought I was seeing a noticable change. Started getting acne on the back of my neck, testicles seemed fuller, night time erections seemed stronger. That lasted for only about a week. After that it seems like a complete reversal the last 2-3 weeks. Sex drive is down, acne has cleared up, and it seems like my facial hair has almost stopped growing. Have you experienced anything like this while on Clomid?

You mention: “it can actually restart your HPTA. I am testing that right now even though I’m on the side of being too old for it to happen.”. What do you base that statement on? (the part about being too old). I am also probably in this catagory so was curious. Thanks.
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#12

I think you should take Growth Hormone.

There is a lot of talk about ‘androgen insensitivity’ and many men are taking high doses of T.

I think GROWTH HORMONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ERECTIONS. I think you one needs a baseline of T, but the main player in sexuality is HGH. If you’re pumping 600 mg of T into yourself on a weekly basis, you have not found the cure. I was pumping 250mg in per week at one stage, without success.

I would be VERY interested to know your IGF-1 and IGF BP3 levels.

I have been a human guinea pig over the last 8 or 9 years. I would love for you to read my posts I have made over the last day or two.

My erections are also better with Proviron (25 mg daily).

Get back to me dude.

#13

Thanks for the recommendation. I’m not familiar with growth hormone, but have read your posts and would also like to congratulate you on your recovery, and especially for hanging in there for 8 years. Is there any way to take growth hormones without an injection? Is it available on the internet, or do you need a prescription?

I have had some hormone tests done, but am not familiar with these. Can you give some background on these and what they would tell me?

I plan on ordering some Proviron this weekend. Once again thanks.

#14

From now on, I’m going to answer everyone’s questions on the thread that is dedicated to my recovery!

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2261

Please, everyone do THEIR OWN research as well. I didn’t get to where I am by feeding off other’s information and comments.

There is a lot of poor information, shit theories and scaremongering on sites like this. These sites have their use, but also limitations.

In fact, I got to where I am by breaking away and being independent.

You can simply google items such as IGF 1 and IGF BP3.

I will do my best to help.

Good luck

#15

Hi Dustin

Your story is very encouraging. I wish to know: how long are you taking 600 mg of testosterone per week? And the results stay good?

#16

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#17

Thanks for your reply dustin.

I will receive my IGF test results next wednesday. If it’s low, i’ll start a HGH replacement since my symptoms fit with GH deficiency. If this not works, i’ii try TRT with supraphysiological levels.

#18

Do you feel that you still need cialis?

#19

Dustin

Don’t want to sound too sceptical but could you fill in a member story template so we can see your symptoms and how they resolved? It is ultimately important for everyone to do this in order to monitor how sides have been overcome. You seem to have arrived in the recovery section from nowhere and your tale is a little vague in parts, to me anyway.

I find it strange your endo wouldn’t prescribe hcg and arimidex for example.

Don’t take this the wrong way mate, I’d be delighted to be proven otherwise.

#20

Matis,

You mentioned you were thinking of starting on HGH replacement if your tests came back low for GH. Are you aware of the costs involved with HGH injections? It’s around 1,400 per month, I believe.