Testosterone Therapy

[GailsMissingChin]

DH is (not without reason) becoming fairly certain that low testosterone may be a factor in some ongoing physical and mental health issues. He does all of the right things re. exercise, diet, alcohol, sleep (at least 80% of the time), he's 42 for what it's worth.

Has anyone had any experience of men in their life having undertaken testosterone supplementation (cream or injection?) There was an article in today's Guardian which has made him more determined to look at going down this route and I'd be more comfortable to hear directly of positive or negative experiences.

Has he had a blood test at the GP? That's the first place to start - it could be low testosterone but it could be something else.

The GP actually suggested it after some discussion with DH when he was having a consultation about his anti depressants (sertraline). Apparently there's been a lot of men coming in asking about and he sends them away more often than not but seemingly in DHs case he thinks that it may be a factor.

If it is I'm concerned about the treatment and effects it may have long term and beyond the positive. DH is nervous/ curious and I'd like some semblance of the old him back IYSWIM but will the risks (if any) outweigh the benefits?

DH has been using the cream for years. He had a pituitary tumour removed from his brain 8 years ago - the tumour had extinguished his hormone production in several areas including testosterone. The cream hasn't made much of a positive difference ( none really ) but on the other hand he hasn't had any bad side effects. I'd suggest that your DH needs to get the blood tests and find out just what is his problem, rather than assuming anything.

Has he looked at the possibility of low serotonin ?

My son went through a period some years ago where he wasn’t well and feeling very low.

He took 5-htp and it was successful with no side effects.

www.healthline.com/nutrition/5-htp-benefits

He's not assuming anything - it's taken years to get to this point.

GP thinks that there maybe a connection to inflammation although a previous appointment to look at this with a specialist was inconclusive. He's also had several rounds of surgery in the past couple of years including some minor complications post vasectomy - although DH said that he and GP concluded that it's not likely to be a factor if he does indeed have low levels.

I don't know if he's been specifically tested for serotonin levels but it's certainly been something that he tries to address with exercise/ vit d / daylight etc as well as sertraline being an ssri. Worth asking though I suppose.

DH has had injections for the last 4 yrs.
It has helped with some things but not others.

Still no sex drive, he gets grumpy if levels drop too low and angry if they get too high, he has blood tests before the injection every three months in order to check testosterone levels in the blood and injections are adjusted accordingly.

The problem is that as he exercises a lot (Iron man training) his levels can rise and fall dramatically over the three months. His levels before the treatment started were at 2, with hormone therapy they are up to 11 most months but occasionally drop to 5/6.

The Consultant told him that they should be about 16..

@Therewere5inthebed
Was he training for Ironman before the injections or did he discover that he had low levels, get therapy and then take it up? I hope that makes sense?

DH in the past was very active, a sportsman, gym goer and highly motivated and now it seems that he doesn't have the energy. Libido is hit and (mostly) miss. ADs have helped with mood to a degree.

@GailsMissingChin
The Ironman training is a recent thing, he used to run or cycle but nothing extreme then. The Ironman and Ultra stuff is more recent, I think he feels like he has something to prove.

Testosterone therapy can have as benefits as side effects as well. Low testosterone already provokes depression and anxiety due to a decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction and weight loss. However, taking up the therapy can improve the situation. It will regulate the male hormones, energy and mood, but don’t expect it in a short period of time. There are some issues which can appear due to the testosterone therapy. These could be heart and liver problems, blood clots, catalyzing the grow of existing tumors. My advice is to try all the natural remedies, before taking up the therapy. Have you heard about ashwagandha rood? Simply speaking, ashwagandha increases testosterone level without any side effects.