I'm 47 need input on TRT

[NatasataN]

Hi, I'm new here and to this world and would like some input on TRT.

I'm 47 and have been feeling off for many years. I work on construction so my physical health is crucial to me. I'm litteraly feeling all of the symptoms of someone with low testosterone so I decided to inform myself on the subject. I looked around at clinics and they all seem to just want to empty your bank account and put anyone on TRT without very solid follow ups. So if I was going to do this, I'd self prescribe for a fraction of the cost and use ChatGPT and places like here and reddit as references for experienced user input.

So I ordered a panel of blood tests this week and got partial results, I got the hormones and I'm still wait for the rest.

Here's the results :

Total Testosterone 14 nmol/L (404 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone 270 pmol/L (7.78 ng/dL)
SHBG 36 nmol/L
Estradiol 42 pmol/L (11.4 pg/mL)

So, these results just confuse me, I was expecting to see much lower numbers as I am apparently on the lower end of the normal range. However, like I said, all this TRT stuff is kind of new to me and I personally think that I shouldn't feel like I do with numbers like these?

I've been cleaning my diet, taking supplements, started going to the gym 6 months ago and trying to be consistent but still feel always tired, off, low libido, hard erections but not for too long. I still have those annoying night piss boners though lol. I was 180-183 6 months ago and did alot of fast paced walking for 1 hour about 3-4 times a week and am now 162-165lbs.

I also have abused speed and a few other drugs for the past 15 years and am sober for a year and a half now. I just do edibles and sometimes smoke weed. Also, I'm a big smoker, I smoke close to 3 packs a day and yes I want to quit but that's easier said than done.

I'd like to have some of you guys suggestions to as if I could be feeling that way with the numbers I have. Am I low? Would I maybe benefit from TRT or should I be looking somewhere else about my deterioration?

I believe that it's possible to do something like a 12 week test run to see if anything changes and follow with nolvadex if this isn't for me?

Help me out guys, I'm confused!

 

[Duraclear]

Firstly, you're not sober.

Secondly, your testosterone numbers are fine. Whatever's going on with you, it's not low testosterone. It's most likely all the weed and tobacco you smoke, and my suspicion is that there are a bunch of other unhealthy lifestyle choices that you're making. Respectfully, I'm not even sure why you would be smoking three packs a day and a bunch of weed and wondering "huh, I wonder if low testosterone is why I feel like crap." Sounds like you're hoping for a quick fix that does not involve giving up your vices.

I don't think this is the forum for you. Good luck.

 

[buck]

I would look at your diet. You already know what other things you are doing that is not healthy. And the rate of decline will grow at a far greater rate as time goes by as compared to the past.

 

[Mrhairyman]

Nothing changes if nothing changes.
I would suggest a lipid panel, PSA, and chest x-ray followed by some lifestyle changes.

 

[thejumpingsheep]

Bad news... you are getting old... im similar aged, no drugs, no smoking and no nonsense my entire life. The only issues I had was getting fat after injuries. But it was never for long time and I always got back into shape rather quick. This last time was the easiest due to all the GLP drugs. But otherwise I worked out and was an athlete most of my life and guess what? I have similar feels. I am just fatigued most of the time, and aside from early morning, no energy. Never had issues with my dick but everything else you describe is similar and very common as we get older.

Nothing I have done fixed it (consistently) so far. No amount of gear or peptides. A total body recomp, change in diet, and even fixing torn muscles didnt change it.

I will say however that I am in good shape now, and the one thing that has changed is I now have "good" days. Not always. Most days are as described above but every now and then, if I get a few days of really good sleep, I have a good day where I dont feel lethargic or tired by afternoon. Dont get me wrong, its not like those energy bursts of young years but these good days were non-existent for years.

What seems to be creating these good days is uninterrupted sleep. Much harder than sounds. This means no tossing and turning at night. No waking up and going back to sleep. Just sleeping. I didnt know how bad I was until I started tracking it with a gadget and sure enough, there are gadgets today that track this stuff including RHR and HRV. When I get 2-3 days of HRV >50 I feel good the following day.

So I guess aside from the obvious unhealthy habits you have, how is your sleep? Do you track it at all? That part is easy. Just a decent smart watch with good battery that lasts 7 days or so and wear it. Amazfit Balance is great and can be had for like $100 or less these days. The old one is fine. 14 day battery I believe but only like 7 if you turn on Blood Pressure monitoring (which I do).