My experience with Testim (testosterone gel)

[Jordoo]

Nate, first off thanks for posting your experience here because honestly I'm running out of hope quicker than I can figure out what's really wrong with me and this has given me some hope so don't be disappointed!

So a little about me, well maybe a lot. Sorry

I'm 24 and ADD-PI with every typical symptom that comes with it like brain-fog, depersonalization and the constant extreme fatigue, etc. Which has been getting worse over the past 5-6 year since I realized something wasn't right. One thing not tied with ADD-PI is the headaches which I've always had since I was a kid but now have become so constant that they now last for up to a solid month without relief.

I stumbled over this thread about a month ago which happened to be a couple days before a doctors appointment with another Neurologist so I did some research and It seemed very plausible. So I asked him to test my Testosterone along with some stuff he wanted to try but guess what? My numbers came back low! At least I think they are, he said they are in the "range" but seemed a bit low. He said he didn't know much about low-T so I should ask my normal doctor.

Testosterone, Serum was 369 ng/dL (348 - 1197) Taken at 1:45pm

Wen't to my GP with those results and she said that blood should be taken in the morning because T is at it's highest , but I forgot to mention that is my "morning" because of my work schedule. Would my testosterone be highest when I wake up or when my circadian rhythm thinks I should get up, even though I have my room blacked out?

Anyways, I had more blood drawn on Tuesday(18th) and I'm still waiting on those results.

I've been meaning to post my first results for a couple weeks now but haven't had the energy... Well, like you said I'm hoping to receive treatment also because I've been getting depressed from the lack of answers and to be blunt, the misery I feel and think about constantly now.

There's not much of a point or order to this post but I only have one memory of feeling "normal" left and it's fading fast. So at this point I need any help or support I can get.

Thanks

[NateDEEzy]

Thanks for sharing your story!

Yes, your # is VERY low for your age. Even though the range indicates its a normal #, it's not. You actually have the levels of a 70+ man, which isn't normal, no matter what a doctor tries to tell you. As for your sleep schedule, I've never come across this before, so I don't know if it is morning no matter what or after you rise, it seems to make more sense for it to be that your levels are highest after you rise from sleep. But keep us updated on your next blood test results as well as if you receive treatment. Remember though that optimal treatment usually includes injection testosterone at least once a week, hCG, and an AI. So if your doctor insists on using another treatment plan, which isn't uncommon, you can definitely try it bc sometimes it will be helpful, but remember to not get discouraged if it doesn't or stops working (if you are on another treatment such as gels). Id try and do as much research as possible and if you feel your doctor cannot provide you with optimal care, don't be afraid to find another doctor or even get in to contact with IMT. They are very knowledgeable and can answer any ?s you have and will provide you with optimal treatment. That's who I'm actually talking to and trying to get treatment from. But, if your doctor seems to know they're doing, that would probably be the best way to go, as you might be able to get insurance to cover your treatment.. if you have any questions, feel free to ask, and please keep us posted !

[Jordoo]

Little update,

Got a call on Monday about my results and they are higher than before. The call woke me up so I remember the exact range she said but it's really close. The ng/dL range has changed because of a different doctor/lab which I didn't would have been a problem at the time but we'll see.

First test.
369 ng/dL (348 -1197) Taken at 1:45pm

Second test. Note the different range.
490 ng/dL (250 -890) Taken at 10:30am

This is earlier than I normally wake up and I was notably more aroused and thinking about sex more than normal but I felt like the walking dead just like normal too, so I don't know what to do.

I'm still thinking I would like to try and get treatment because of the success/benefit stories but she pretty much told me over the phone she has no clue whats wrong with me and suggested I see a another Neurologist.... I've already been to one she sent me to earlier this year and he did some test and labs and said he wasn't sure either and I just went to another that told me to see her again!!

What would you suggest, seeing a Urologist or an Endocrinologist? Holistic doctor?

On another note, I just had an MRI done of my head by request of my Neurologist so I'll update on that too when I get that info.

Merry Christmas

[NateDEEzy]

Originally Posted by Jordoo

Little update,

Got a call on Monday about my results and they are higher than before. The call woke me up so I remember the exact range she said but it's really close. The ng/dL range has changed because of a different doctor/lab which I didn't would have been a problem at the time but we'll see.

First test.
369 ng/dL (348 -1197) Taken at 1:45pm

Second test. Note the different range.
490 ng/dL (250 -890) Taken at 10:30am

This is earlier than I normally wake up and I was notably more aroused and thinking about sex more than normal but I felt like the walking dead just like normal too, so I don't know what to do.

I'm still thinking I would like to try and get treatment because of the success/benefit stories but she pretty much told me over the phone she has no clue whats wrong with me and suggested I see a another Neurologist.... I've already been to one she sent me to earlier this year and he did some test and labs and said he wasn't sure either and I just went to another that told me to see her again!!

What would you suggest, seeing a Urologist or an Endocrinologist? Holistic doctor?

On another note, I just had an MRI done of my head by request of my Neurologist so I'll update on that too when I get that info.

Merry Christmas

Well, I do actually believe there is much to say about holistic or spiritual healing. The brain is the main source of misery and so if one can separate themselves from the power the brain/thoughts have on you and your body, I believe this to be the best remedy to anything. There is a great book, which helped me tremendously years ago, unfortunately I kinda feel off the good path I was on due to some events in my life which got the best of me. Anyway to sum it up, it's extremely short but packed with the best wisdom you will ever learn in your life. In fact, after reading it, I was in such a wonderful state, I nearly shed a tear when someone opened a door for me at the gym because I felt so much love and caring in the gesture (which is a little embarrassing to admit). But it's kinda like it made me realize what is truly important in life, and opened my heart and eyes to the things we miss each and every day due to the lifestyles we've grown up in.
Anyway, I can't say enough about the book, it's called: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, by Deepak Chopra.

On to what you were saying, one thing that I think is very important is to not so much get caught up in the range, but to focus more on symptoms. For one thing, the range is very misleading, because even though you are in range, the range doesn't take age in to consideration, and so you actually have the #'s of a 70 year old man, which even though is normal according to the range, in actuality doesn't seem too normal.

Yes, the thought of getting stuck with a needle for the remainder of life isn't exciting for anyone to hear, BUT, at the same time, if it brings about a better quality of life, it seems the tradeoff between a little pain for a better quality of life and one in which you are happier seems quite worth it. In fact, there are guys on other forums that are strictly geared toward TRT, who say, yes it sucks getting stuck so often with a needle, but that it's totally worth it for the change it brought about in how they feel.

[NateDEEzy]

Sorry forgot to answer your other question. In terms of what to seek out next is really in your hands. I'd highly suggest doing some research to find a specialist (depending on where you live). You can look online, or sign up for some forums that specifically talk about TRT to maybe get some advice on a doctor you can talk to. Or you could get into contact with IncreaseMyT, which is an online program that geared toward TRT. I know it sounds scary, but these guys know what they're talking about, they specialize in it, and so I think it's more scary to get treatment from a doctor who doesn't understand TRT as opposed to someone who specializes in it. In fact, this is who I'm talking with right now in trying to get treatment. The only thing is, they don't accept insurance. So, with your numbers as they are, it might be beneficial to seek out a specialist who might be willing to treat you and then you might be able to get treatment under insurance. However, I don't believe most insurance companies will cover what's considered optimal treatment, which would be testosterone, hCG, and usually an aromatase inhibitor- they will usually only cover testosterone (i think), and so even if you decided to talk to a specialist and they treated you, you might end up paying around the same if you add hCG and an AI as you would if you went through IMT. Either way, it's up to you, personally, in your shoes, I'd try to find a competent doctor in your area.

[NateDEEzy]

One more thing, out of curiosity, did your blood tests come from 2 different labs? Because I notice the ranges are different.