Hormone Replacement Therapy-HRT

[Poolboy21409]

Seems like this is the "topic du jour" lately. I started testosterone therapy about two years ago using the pellet delivery system which was the one endorsed by my doc. Basically, testosterone pellets are inserted in the subcutaneous layer in a butt cheek and slowly release the hormone over a five to six month period. The procedure is repeated every five to six months. The insertion is relatively simple and takes about 10 minutes. The area gets a local and then a very small incision through which the pellets are inserted by a trochar instrument. Butterfly band aid is all that is needed. There generally is some minor bruising and a bit of soreness for as few days. My testosterone level before treatment was in the low 200 and now consistently in the 1000. Other delivery methods are intra-muscular injections, cream and patch. Side effects are a marked decrease in the volume of your cum and there may be some shrinking of your balls. I have been talking with another doc who is strongly recommending the shots over the pellets. He is using an injectable solution that is much less thick than the standard making the injections much easier and less painful. I am wondering if anyone out her in the Forum is also on HRT and can share their experiences. I have felt so much better since I have been on HRT and the muscle mass in improving and body fat is way down - from 24% to low teens. If course I have been exercising but I am sure the HRT is helping. Thoughts??

[orbital sander]

I have a friend who started HRT as well and he claims to feel a gazillion times better. Good luck with your treatment and take care.

[Diverdan]

Thanks for this interesting thread, Poolboy.

A few years ago my TL was quite low, and I used the cream for awhile. However, I have a rather hairy body, so my Dr did not feel the cream did much good, as it is suppossed to be applied to "smooth skin". Then for awhile I had the injections, but they are a nusance to try and get on a regular basis. I did not experience any major discomfort or soreness, but with my travel schedule, I couldn't get them on a regular basis, so I discontinued them. For some reason, unknown to either me or my Dr my TL has been going up for the last few years, and they now say it is "low normal". I had not heard about the pellets, so I may explore that with my Dr. just to see what the effects might be. I did notice that when I was having the shots that my energy level was way up, I was generally in a better mood, and did not notice any side effects in terms of shrinkage or decrease in ejaculate. I hope others on the Forum contribute to this discussion, as I would like to hear some other experiences. Thanks again for starting this thread.

DD

[ErieBear]

I have been using the gel, but it's not doing the trick. I see a specialist in a few weeks, now I know some additional options that I can ask him about! Thanks!

[jjkrkwood]

Poolboy, can you tell us why symptoms you were experieincing that LED to your going to the doctor and subsequently beginning HRT ?

 

I have heard Suzanne Somers speak on this but from a female standpoint.

 

As I am approaching 60, it might be something I need to look into...

[Poolboy21409]

Symptoms: fatigue, moodiness, perhaps a bit of depression, decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat, and a generally lower sex drive. Most docs don't want to deal with it so they say a level of 200-300 is normal. Well it is what most people 5o+ have but in the mid twenties the level is more like in the 700-900 range. If you google HRT or testosterone replacement there are lots of websites that deal with it. It is not the fountain of youth but you do get to feel a lot better. Now HGH is another matter!!!

[Binudeguy]

I have been using Androgel packets for about 8 or 9 years. They have been very successful in raising my testosterone level with all the associated benefits. About a year ago my doctor decided to double the dose which further added to the effectiveness. On the down side- the gel is messy to use, you have to apply it to your abs. With a hairy person like me it takes awhile to dry and does leave a residue on your skin. It does tend to lead to the atrophy of your testicles after you use it for awhile. All this means is that they get smaller and release less testosterone. (this is not a major issue since they weren't releasing very much to begin with which is why your need HRT in the first place). I have heard mixed reviews about the pellets and would be curious to hear other guy's experiences. Several doctors have advised me not to use the injections.

[instudiocity]

I began full hormone replacement therapy in 1993 after doctors discovered a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. I had been hormone deficient for nearly 10 years. I began injecting testosterone because at the time you either did the Intra-muscular injection or you shaved your balls and applied a patch to your ballsac.

 

So I'm at 18 years of weekly dosages of 100 cc of testosterone I can say, I still prefer sticking a 1" long 22 gauge needle in my thigh once a week over the other options that are available. My sex life is good. The inconvenience of dosing is minimal. The only thing is I'm thinking about getting a pair of neuticles so I don't have to explain why my balls have turned into English Peas.

 

http://www.neuticles.com/

 

ONE WARNING ABOUT HRT! Be sure you watch your diet, even to the point of getting some appetite suppressants because Testosterone is a major factor in weight gain.