Need Help Anyone been on Testosterone? (especially if you need* it)

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

FIrst, I apologise if this is the wrong forum, I had no idea where to post this and tend to "when in doubt, post to TL", since anything goes here. If any mods think this is more appropriate elsewhere, please feel free to ,move it

*and by NEED it (and all replies are welcome and appreciated, regardless of why you take it) I just mean if you require it medically, like if you have a deficiency, or a medical condition or are FtM etc.

Just got back from a doctors appointment (diabetic, weirdly, but they did my hormones) and apparently my testosterone is extremely low, so they're gonna prescribe me testosterone. Just wondering about peoples experience taking this. How did it help, what changes did you notice, any side-effects etc??

 

[mal3volent]

TL -> H&R

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

TL -> H&R

Thanks

 

[Eligiu]

Yes, I have been on various types since I was 20. I am 28 now. What would you like to know @ChemicallyEnhanced ?

 

[konanwarrior]

Yes, I am on testosterone replacement therapy, I have a condition called hypogonadism, which was apparently caused by years of opiate abuse. This causes my body to not produce testosterone how it should.

I have to take a medication called Sustanon 250 an anabolic steroid, I have to take two ampoules a month and inject it myself into my glute. A nurse at my GP used to do this but the nurse has now left so I have to do it myself.

I find that if I forget to take it I do become more lethargic and my sex drive goes pretty much non existent. I noticed my muscle mass seemed to return as I had lost a lot of weight and my arms were flabby, after a few months on the testosterone I would say I was more how I should have been.

I don't notice any side effects apart from sometimes the injection site is sore for a day or two, it seems to really be random though as sometimes it doesn't hurt at all. Some people say the injections are very painful but I do not find this myself.

If you have any questions feel free to ask me, I have been on TRT for around 8 years, I am 33 years old.

@ChemicallyEnhanced

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

Yes, I have been on various types since I was 20. I am 28 now. What would you like to know @ChemicallyEnhanced ?

Thanks for the reply
Mainly just what benefits and side-effects you've had?

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

Yes, I am on testosterone replacement therapy, I have a condition called hypogonadism, which was apparently caused by years of opiate abuse. This causes my body to not produce testosterone how it should.

I have to take a medication called Sustanon 250 an anabolic steroid, I have to take two ampoules a month and inject it myself into my glute. A nurse at my GP used to do this but the nurse has now left so I have to do it myself.

I find that if I forget to take it I do become more lethargic and my sex drive goes pretty much non existent. I noticed my muscle mass seemed to return as I had lost a lot of weight and my arms were flabby, after a few months on the testosterone I would say I was more how I should have been.

I don't notice any side effects apart from sometimes the injection site is sore for a day or two, it seems to really be random though as sometimes it doesn't hurt at all. Some people say the injections are very painful but I do not find this myself.

If you have any questions feel free to ask me, I have been on TRT for around 8 years, I am 33 years old.

@ChemicallyEnhanced

Thanks
Lethargy is something I struggle with a lot so good to hear it helps you with that! Mine is partly caused by years of opioids and psych meds, too. That just made it as severely low as it is. I've always had abnormally low testosterone, and abnormally high androgen (which was reaaaallll fun as a teen boy with a resultant high-pitched voice and a "girls ass" lol).
I could really do with some muscle mass, too. I do have not-awful biceps if I flex but that's mostly because I'm really skinny (like 5'6 and 110lbs) so it's due to low body-fat making muscle more visible. I overall have lack of muscle, though. Like I no matter how much I've ever exercised I've never had abs or pecs whatsoever. My stomach is totally flat as is my chest (gynaecomastia is one side-effects I am very happy to have managed to miss) but never muscle tone. Even when I was 91lbs, no muscle visible on the torso.
My sex drive could use some help, too.

I'm not too worried about the actually injecting as I'm T1D so I inject 4 times a day, plus I used IV drugs (not for many years now)...I know IM is more painful, but I've done that too and can tolerate it.

 

[konanwarrior]

Thanks
Lethargy is something I struggle with a lot so good to hear it helps you with that! Mine is partly caused by years of opioids and psych meds, too. That just made it as severely low as it is. I've always had abnormally low testosterone, and abnormally high androgen (which was reaaaallll fun as a teen boy with a resultant high-pitched voice and a "girls ass" lol).
I could really do with some muscle mass, too. I do have not-awful biceps if I flex but that's mostly because I'm really skinny (like 5'6 and 110lbs) so it's due to low body-fat making muscle more visible. I overall have lack of muscle, though. Like I no matter how much I've ever exercised I've never had abs or pecs whatsoever. My stomach is totally flat as is my chest (gynaecomastia is one side-effects I am very happy to have managed to miss) but never muscle tone. Even when I was 91lbs, no muscle visible on the torso.
My sex drive could use some help, too.

I'm not too worried about the actually injecting as I'm T1D so I inject 4 times a day, plus I used IV drugs (not for many years now)...I know IM is more painful, but I've done that too and can tolerate it.

You should definitely notice an increase in your energy levels if your testosterone is within the right levels, especially if it is currently under what it should be.
I must ask, how did you know as a teen you had low test and high androgen?
I am also only 5'6 myself, although I weight around 154lbs. I was always very skinny before TRT so am happy I am at this current weight- I was only around 9 and a half stone before treatment. I gather the right levels increased my appetite.
I've never had abs myself or pecs, I just mean my biceps seemed to become less flabby and more muscle after a time on TRT. My stomach is enlarged due to internal problems from being a recovering alcoholic so is far from flat lol.
Your sex drive should come back when you are at the right levels, I went off of sex for around 6 months before I found out I had hypogonadism. My ex fiancee thought it was her and tried everything, at first the GP said it was in my head and prescribed me viagra lol.
Sorry to hear you are type 1 diabetic, that must suck having to inject your stomach all the time. I was also an IV drug user in the past. The nurse who used to do my injection for me said I was the only man on Sustanon 250 who didn't whine like a bitch when I had my injection done, and said most other men say it really hurts. If you have IMd before then you will be fine.

Do you know what medication you will be going on? I was on Nebido which was a 3 month injection, but my test levels were all over the place with that and my endocrinologist was also worried as there may be a higher risk of prostate cancer with Nebido compared to Sustanon. It sucks having to inject more often, I space my ampoules instead of doing them both at once I do one every two weeks to try and keep my test level as even as possible.

PS this thread reminded me I am due my injection, I just did an ampoule of sustanon otherwise I would have forgotten so thank you.

 

[RedRum OG]

Thanks
Lethargy is something I struggle with a lot so good to hear it helps you with that! Mine is partly caused by years of opioids and psych meds, too. That just made it as severely low as it is. I've always had abnormally low testosterone, and abnormally high androgen (which was reaaaallll fun as a teen boy with a resultant high-pitched voice and a "girls ass" lol).
I could really do with some muscle mass, too. I do have not-awful biceps if I flex but that's mostly because I'm really skinny (like 5'6 and 110lbs) so it's due to low body-fat making muscle more visible. I overall have lack of muscle, though. Like I no matter how much I've ever exercised I've never had abs or pecs whatsoever. My stomach is totally flat as is my chest (gynaecomastia is one side-effects I am very happy to have managed to miss) but never muscle tone. Even when I was 91lbs, no muscle visible on the torso.
My sex drive could use some help, too.

I'm not too worried about the actually injecting as I'm T1D so I inject 4 times a day, plus I used IV drugs (not for many years now)...

You still on opioids? That'd be what's causing the low T. I'm likely an opiate lifer, been on methadone or heroin the last 14 years, so I just committed to being a T lifer too, as I love to lift. Been on for about 6 years, 2 of which were juicing lightly, 4 of which were actual TRT. Don't make this decision if you aren't confident you could stay on for life. Especially with rec drugs in the picture, getting on T for 6 months and then getting off has a chance at permanently lowering your production even further

IM is more painful, but I've done that too and can tolerate it.

It's not really painful the same way shooting drugs is. AAS are almost all oil-based, they don't burn whatsoever. It's completely painless until about 24hrs after, then it feels like you've been kicked in the leg for about 48hrs until your body gets used to the ester (cypionate or enanthate, likely)

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

You should definitely notice an increase in your energy levels if your testosterone is within the right levels, especially if it is currently under what it should be.
I must ask, how did you know as a teen you had low test and high androgen?
I am also only 5'6 myself, although I weight around 154lbs. I was always very skinny before TRT so am happy I am at this current weight- I was only around 9 and a half stone before treatment. I gather the right levels increased my appetite.
I've never had abs myself or pecs, I just mean my biceps seemed to become less flabby and more muscle after a time on TRT. My stomach is enlarged due to internal problems from being a recovering alcoholic so is far from flat lol.
Your sex drive should come back when you are at the right levels, I went off of sex for around 6 months before I found out I had hypogonadism. My ex fiancee thought it was her and tried everything, at first the GP said it was in my head and prescribed me viagra lol.
Sorry to hear you are type 1 diabetic, that must suck having to inject your stomach all the time. I was also an IV drug user in the past. The nurse who used to do my injection for me said I was the only man on Sustanon 250 who didn't whine like a bitch when I had my injection done, and said most other men say it really hurts. If you have IMd before then you will be fine.

Do you know what medication you will be going on? I was on Nebido which was a 3 month injection, but my test levels were all over the place with that and my endocrinologist was also worried as there may be a higher risk of prostate cancer with Nebido compared to Sustanon. It sucks having to inject more often, I space my ampoules instead of doing them both at once I do one every two weeks to try and keep my test level as even as possible.

PS this thread reminded me I am due my injection, I just did an ampoule of sustanon otherwise I would have forgotten so thank you.

More energy would be amazing, some days just walking up the stairs in my house is a chore.

I knew as a teen 'cause I got my hormones when I tested when I was 14. When I was like 13/14 I looked very androgynous and got misgendered a lot and got asked if I was trans so much I got REALLY annoying (absolutely nothing with with being trans, I'm just...not, though) and I just found a few things weird like I never got facial or body hair [at 30 I actually still don't....like I have normal pubes and if I don't shave I get some patchy facial hair, but very slowly and I look like a teenager TRYING to grow a beard] and when I gained weight it all went to my thighs and butt...like I got quite big at one point, like not obese but overweight but I still had a flat stomach but legs and butt were really big...so like female-like fat distribution. I kept complaining to my parents so they took me to the doctor. The doctor did say I *could* be tried on low-dose hormones, but my parents said I was too young and the doctor agreed it was possible the problem would correct itself over puberty.

I have no idea what exactly I'll be prescribed yet, my doctor is still looking into it.

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

You still on opioids? That'd be what's causing the low T. I'm likely an opiate lifer, been on methadone or heroin the last 14 years, so I just committed to being a T lifer too, as I love to lift. Been on for about 6 years, 2 of which were juicing lightly, 4 of which were actual TRT. Don't make this decision if you aren't confident you could stay on for life. Especially with rec drugs in the picture, getting on T for 6 months and then getting off has a chance at permanently lowering your production even further



It's not really painful the same way shooting drugs is. AAS are almost all oil-based, they don't burn whatsoever. It's completely painless until about 24hrs after, then it feels like you've been kicked in the leg for about 48hrs until your body gets used to the ester (cypionate or enanthate, likely)

I naturally have low testosterone, and then I'm on various different meds that lower it further, including opioids, yeah. Been on opioids since 2010, never been able to get off them. I have severe chronic pain - multiple forms - though, so I also need it to function in terms of actual pain relief. What I've been on has varied (anything from just codeine up to fentanyl) but always been on some sort of opioid.

I have no idea if I'll need T just temporarily or long-term.

 

[JonnyDeath]

I follow a ton of steroid users and have for many years. Some are literally doctors that made it to the elite levels of bodybuilding. I am only posting to offer this knowledge.
Herbal extracts genuinely boost testosterone, some incredibly well.

Just something to consider whether you're on test or not. I think many men would prefer not to be on it even though I know for many, it turns their life around and they are able to move forward effectively again.
There are good protocols for raising your test back up naturally, but some people will outright need to be on prescription for life.
In a couple more decades, I expect I will want to be on it too. I wish my dad had pursued it 15 years ago now that he turns 80 this year.

 

[Eligiu]

For me, starting testosterone absolutely saved my life. No doubt about it. In retrospect, I probably should have had more MH evals done before medically transitioning to save me the trouble after I realised the abuse I went through and then having an existential crisis that I maybe transitioned due to trauma, but then I said something fucked once about assaults I experienced as an adult plus I had my period for the first time in 6 years and behaved like a fucking giant man baby lol.

Things it has helped:
1. My confidence most of all. I used to be pretty meek, and I didn't want to be the centre of attention ever because that meant people looking at me and therefore my body. Now, while I still have your typical 'why can't I have a six pack' body image issues, it's nothing like what it used to be.
2. I feel like I'm finally myself and who I was meant to be. Like, even in my most dark times, even when I was experiencing fucked and or violent transphobia, it was the transphobia that upset me. I never regretted my decision to take hormones.
3. My mood drastically improved, ie a huge drop in anxiety, especially when I started passing all the time (which I was 50% of the time before t anyway until I spoke), and I finally was being seen for who I was.
4. Being able to join in sports with cisgender men, something I did as a teenager before hormones but desperately wanted to do after transitioning, and being very successful. I can lift a decent proportion of my BW but I've been an athlete my whole life.

In terms of physical affects, things vary greatly. As a transgender man, initially I had voice cracking, and my body scent changed. I was told I started to smell like testosterone. My body fat distribution changed, although I was sort of like a plank of wood anyway. Moved from hips to stomach. My jawline changed *heaps* I will see if I can find a comparison photo. Legs became incredibly hairy. My junk changed, and I also found that my hair texture went from straight with some waves to literally ringlets.

I did not get super hungry like many people I know. But I have complicating factors like autism, anxiety, and ARFID. I also did not have my sex drive shoot through the roof, because from what I understand I am asexual.

I started with primoteston, every 3 weeks.
Went to reandron every 8 weeks, T went too high (double the Max limit)
Swapped to gel. Stable for a while. Then went too high on half a dose. (Went to double Max dose and converted back to eatrogen fun fun fun lol)
Swapped to reandron. Went on progesterone to handle estrogen. Stable.
Had hysterectomy
T went to double what it's meant to again, post surgery. Did not need any testosterone between October 2022 and June 2023. Kept joking about how they finally made me cis.
Swapped to gel.
On estrogen patches.

Some big points to consider - you MUST take regular bloods. And make sure they do a full panel. I was getting major fatigue after my hysterectomy so I basically demanded estrogen. I had a good idea I would need it after the hysterectomy, I was warned in advance. Anyway, cis men need estrogen too.

Stay on top of your blood tests.

Don't be afraid to swap how you take your dose if one way isn't working for you. My specialist told me when I asked if she had any other guys like me that she has a couple who are difficult to stabilise and we are the lanky, athletic ones.

Many people gain A LOT of weight going on T. And it can cause baldness.

I hope this is of some help.

 

[Eligiu]

Here is an album with some random photos of me throughout my transition. The first photo is before testosterone, the second is just over like, 2 years on it, (went on in 2015 November), one at the beach is 2019, and last one is most recent.

Notably, I was unable to grow any real facial hair until early last year.

 

[Eligiu]

More energy would be amazing, some days just walking up the stairs in my house is a chore.

I knew as a teen 'cause I got my hormones when I tested when I was 14. When I was like 13/14 I looked very androgynous and got misgendered a lot and got asked if I was trans so much I got REALLY annoying (absolutely nothing with with being trans, I'm just...not, though) and I just found a few things weird like I never got facial or body hair [at 30 I actually still don't....like I have normal pubes and if I don't shave I get some patchy facial hair, but very slowly and I look like a teenager TRYING to grow a beard] and when I gained weight it all went to my thighs and butt...like I got quite big at one point, like not obese but overweight but I still had a flat stomach but legs and butt were really big...so like female-like fat distribution. I kept complaining to my parents so they took me to the doctor. The doctor did say I *could* be tried on low-dose hormones, but my parents said I was too young and the doctor agreed it was possible the problem would correct itself over puberty.

I have no idea what exactly I'll be prescribed yet, my doctor is still looking into it.

In terms of mental side effects:

Most people report an increased sex drive. So if opiates are killing your boner, then you may be in luck.

Energy is a huuuuuuge thing with HRT (for cis and trans people). After my hysterectomy I had to go onto estrogen patches (obviously my body no longer produces it naturally and each and every person has a balance of all hormones unless they have a medical condition stopping them from producing anything). I didn't go on them straight away, but after a month or so I realised I could barely get out of bed in the morning and was sleeping the day away. Made a massive difference. A friend of mine got low T in his 40s and had a huge problem with fatigue. He seemed better afterwards.

I haven't noticed when my T drops that my fatigue increases. I don't know why that is. I'm constantly exhausted anyway due to cptsd fucking up my sleep but yeah.

It should improve your mood too, if it improves your fatigue.

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

In terms of mental side effects:

Most people report an increased sex drive. So if opiates are killing your boner, then you may be in luck.

Energy is a huuuuuuge thing with HRT (for cis and trans people). After my hysterectomy I had to go onto estrogen patches (obviously my body no longer produces it naturally and each and every person has a balance of all hormones unless they have a medical condition stopping them from producing anything). I didn't go on them straight away, but after a month or so I realised I could barely get out of bed in the morning and was sleeping the day away. Made a massive difference. A friend of mine got low T in his 40s and had a huge problem with fatigue. He seemed better afterwards.

I haven't noticed when my T drops that my fatigue increases. I don't know why that is. I'm constantly exhausted anyway due to cptsd fucking up my sleep but yeah.

It should improve your mood too, if it improves your fatigue.

Fatigue is an enormous issue for me, so that sounds fantastic! My moods been low recently, too. Not depression-relapse low, but a little low.

 

[phall]

the gels are prob easiest . i prefer buying them over tge injections i was scripted , u can get 50mg single gels sacherts or better still bottles tgat last a month . im in uk and vit d goes hand in hand with low test obv.. btw if u use gels be careful it transfers to bed sheets and other ppl and u cant cover it up .. mainly kids are the worry.

gl.. start at 40mg ull notice morning boners more energy if right amount u can go upto 80mg if needed

gl

 

[Eligiu]

Fatigue is an enormous issue for me, so that sounds fantastic! My moods been low recently, too. Not depression-relapse low, but a little low.

Yeah, I would say that both of these issues will be fixed if low t is your problem. Make sure you keep getting full panel hormone bloods done.

the gels are prob easiest . i prefer buying them over tge injections i was scripted , u can get 50mg single gels sacherts or better still bottles tgat last a month . im in uk and vit d goes hand in hand with low test obv.. btw if u use gels be careful it transfers to bed sheets and other ppl and u cant cover it up .. mainly kids are the worry.

gl.. start at 40mg ull notice morning boners more energy if right amount u can go upto 80mg if needed

gl

The gel tends to transfer to things for a certain period of time (I think from memory it's 6 hours). No swimming in that time is included, as well.