Trt/hrt Its All Good?

[jawbone]

So many men seem to think that if they can get their T levels up that suddenly everything will be fixed in their lives. Their wife will love them. Their thankless children will suddenly become empathic to them, their body will transform, they will get a raise, their cholesterol problem will be fixed, their prostate will suddenly shrink, ed will go away, libido will increase, they will become happy go lucky, good stuff , good stuff, good stuff..etc..

Remember TRT/HRT is a medical intervention. While it will help some things it can also create some negative things too. What are some of those things:
acne
testicular atrophy
hair growth
hair loss
infection from injection
hypertension
increased liver enzymes
estrogen problems
nipple sensitivity/gyno
ED
low libido
too high libido
polycythemia
skin rashes from transdermal T
increased PSA
BPH??
While some of the aforementioned have a very very low probability of happening, if they do happen to you then it is 100% of the time. Furthermore, most conditions are reversible. But the point I want to make is that TRT is not the cure all. Numerous post are made such as: why do I still have low libido or ED after starting TRT? Most people want to help and suggest to have E levels checked and Bio available T chked and Tot E checked and chk this and that etc. But TRT does not fix everything. Generally it makes men feel better(some very good) so they get out and are more active which impacts their health, but dont think that it is going to make you a buff bodybuilder or knock 15 years off your looks or make the neighbors wife suddenly desire you.

TRT is a long haul. It requires a lot of testing, and usually meds to control the sides it produces like E control, and dht control to save your hairline.

I am not looking for guys to post articles defending TRT. TRT has helped me. I am on your side. But after being on TRT for a while, I have to admit that it is a chore at times. Treating my polycythemia, controlling my E with Ari, taking propecia to help the hairline, monitoring my PSA which has climbed according to my uro is from the exo T can all be a bit overwhelming at times.

So, to guys that are thinking about getting on TRT, please do your homework and remember that their are some risks with it.

[squareblockhead]

Yes there are risks. There are risks in everything. I believe the postives from TRT far outweigh the negatives.

[HeadDoc]

good points all. My own PSA jumped over a period of roughly 18 months. I'm scheduled for a biopsy next month. This could be nothing more than my body's adjustment to the increase in androgens and not PC. I'm not stopping anything. There is just no falling asleep at the wheel.

(I did add IP6 and curcumin to my supplement regime!)

[jawbone]

Head,
sorry to hear that. I wish you well!! Sounds like the PSA is under 4 but the PSA velocity is what triggered the biopsy?
I know a lot of guys that had the biopsy procedure and say its not bad at all.
My PSA went form a 1.1 to a 2.5 which for my age made my uro grumble a bit.

[jawbone]

Again, IMO I think us more mature folk should think about a 5AR while on exo T.

[1cc]

Originally Posted by HeadDoc

I'm scheduled for a biopsy next month.

I hope everything goes well Headdoc. Keep us posted.

[HeadDoc]

thanks. I'm not panicky. The uro said the prostate felt the same as last time. Just have to wait and see.

[smitty4]

Glad to hear you're not panicky HeadDoc. I had a similar experience. My PSA used to come in around 0.6. Then last May, it was at 3.3 (Ref. Range 0.0-4.0). My PCP said it still felt fine, but given that I have a family history of PC I was not a happy camper. We had it retested and it came in at 1.9. I was happy that it came back down to within what most phycians would consider normal the normal range. I just had it done again and it was 2.0. I came to the conclusion that it was my body adjusting to the increased androgens and that it has settled in at the higher level.

[jawbone]

How old are you Smitty? If you have a 2 and your 65 then thats great

[smitty4]

Originally Posted by jawbone

How old are you Smitty? If you have a 2 and your 65 then thats great

Nope, I'm a young buck at 47!

[jawbone]

we are of the same age my PSA has done some whacky stuff too. Remember increased PSA is usually due to increased cellular growth. Watch for signs of BPH!

[smitty4]

Yep, if I start getting the symptoms I would likely start taking saw palmetto. I do not want to take it unless I feel like I need it though.

[smitty4]

Originally Posted by HeadDoc

good points all. My own PSA jumped over a period of roughly 18 months. I'm scheduled for a biopsy next month. This could be nothing more than my body's adjustment to the increase in androgens and not PC. I'm not stopping anything. There is just no falling asleep at the wheel.

(I did add IP6 and curcumin to my supplement regime!)

I am considering adding curcumin. Have you ever looked into Calcium D-Glucarate?

[hackskii]

I agree that TRT is not the fix all.
Your own hormones work just fine when they work.

Low T levels in a man can happen over a long period of time.
I feel sorry for guys that have low T levels but there is hope with a good Doc.

Aside from complications I would dred the thougt of a woman having sex with me and not being able to get it up.
Oh man, that would be bad

[jboldman]

i have some powdered curcumin and it is really a great yellow dye! i am going to have to cap it. my psa tests came back all in the green and i take more exo test than any of the trt guys.

jb