Posted by Bob on July 1, 2010, at 0:11:45
I've tested two years in a row now with low testosterone with levels around 220ng/dL. The lowest part of the normal range I've seen is 240 in literature. Free testosterone was also tested and came in at a 5, with the low end of the normal range being 6.
With that information, my primary care doc and I decided to try testosterone replacement therapy in the hopes that it might raise the levels and help me with some of the lethargy and anhedonia I experience with my depression. Last week he gave me Testim 1% samples to try. I applied it the first day and had significant depression for the next 24 hrs or so. This surprised me, to say the least. Additionally the Testim had a strong odor I wasn't digging, so I asked to try the Androgel instead.
It's been a couple days of using the supplements at lower than recommended doses and I seem to be having a lot of fatigue, daytime sleepiness and depression. This is counter to anything I would have expected from taking a testosterone supplement, and I'm wondering how long to stick with it. I mean, does the body adapt to some of these effects like happens with some psychotropic drugs? I can't seem to find any evidence of that in my research on the internet. If I quit, I'm not sure what to do about my low levels. Seems like my only option is to ignore them and just live with it.
Unbelievable how nothing ever turns out like what I might have envisioned. I keep telling myself to never be surprised by what happens with a new treatment, but I often am.
Bob
poster:Bob
thread:952762
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100628/msgs/952762.html