Thread: TRT, any long time users here? How long have you been on?

Originally Posted by jstone

I have never had libido problems. Even when my test was at its lowest. Nothing seems to affect mine its always strong unless im pissed off.

Lucky you!

Originally Posted by Superax

Pretty sure I watched a video on Dorian Yates a few years back and he stated that it took him many years to fully recover after he quit the gear completely.
I'd also be interested to see some long-term (10-20 years) users their bloods, perticulary their HDL/LDL levels.

Been prescribed TRT for 12 years. HDL and LDL are in normal levels when I use 125mg/week or less test.

I have been on TRT for 4 years at 240mg EW keeps my total test level at 860-890 7 days post inj, HDL and LDL are fine at this point, I also use 1-1.5mg Adex EW, It has made all the difference in quality of life from test levels in 240-250 range when I started

Originally Posted by Riles

I have been on TRT for 4 years at 240mg EW keeps my total test level at 860-890 7 days post inj, HDL and LDL are fine at this point, I also use 1-1.5mg Adex EW, It has made all the difference in quality of life from test levels in 240-250 range when I started

If you can use Arimidex and not have low HDL, you're doing great!

Originally Posted by devildog

If you can use Arimidex and not have low HDL, you're doing great!

last labs showed HDL 60mg/dL reference range >40mg/dL so far so good

I've been on TRT for over 8 years now. Hell of a ride the Dr's have had me on, and to this day I don't feel like it is well managed by any of the MDs I see. From the initial diagnosis (37 yrs old) of T=276 ng/dl when the Dr. Said you're depressed and that's why your T is low. To the last Endo specialist who is head of the department at our teaching university hospital, it's been a tough path.

I've basically been treated like a junkie trying to get someone to prescribe what feels right. For me that's: 150mg Test Cyp per week, with as needed arimidex @ .5mg 2x per week for three weeks. I typically need the arimidex about every 60-90 days. You can feel body temp go up and mood turns negative, then it's time to manage E2. This Test dosage keeps my blood level at 1000ng/dl, and my doctors all say this is super physiologic, and therefore abuse. They won't prescribe but at 100 mg per week and target 700-Ng/dl blood level. And at that level I don't feel well at all. I have to take Adderal to stay alert, and within two weeks I'm strung out on it. I'm guessing the findings by Harvard Medical that say 1000ng/dl isn't dangerous or harmful aren't convincing enough to reconsider what they taught my doctor in the 80's.

The story line here is this - I dosed Test, very slowly over several months, increasing and decreasing until I found the dosage that eliminated a lot of primary symptoms. Foggy head, adhd, anxiety, lethargy etc. when I found my dose, I held it for a month, I asked for a blood test, (1050 result) the Primary care Dr. Said I was abusing and wouldn't treat me anymore. I happened to be working with a psychiatrist at the time to be sure I wasn't clinically depressed, I had stopped all medications and sleep aids, quit everything but Test. Best I've felt in years. It has been an ongoing battle to figure this out alone, but when you need hrt, you don't have an option and you don't have an exit plan. A year after first being on Androgel, I was still in denial that I had a life long issue, I tried to stop it and even with HCG and Clomid, I got my level to 305, and felt like shit.

The big lesson here is that, with the exception of people you will meet on boards like this one, you are on your own. Listen to your body, if your doctor will listen to you, stick with him/her. Maintain routine blood work, and when your moods become negative or you feel despondent, ask someone to check your levels and estradiol levels. Dr's don't typically treat you for high e2, so you may need to find an alternate source for this since anti estrogen medicines like Arimidex or Nolvadex are not indicated in males. I hope this is helpful.