Testosterone experiences

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I’ve been on testosterone for about 3 weeks now. Primarily for libido, but also energy, brain fog, motivation and muscles/strength. So far I think I’ve noticed a difference in energy levels but other than that nada.

I wonder if those that have had testosterone prescribed could comment on how long it took to help with the following (if it did).

Libido
Energy
Brain fog
Motivation
Muscles/Strength

My Free Androgen Index has gone up from 1 to 4 already, so I know I’m absorbing okay, but worried as I’m not really feeling much yet. I really want my brain and body to work again!

I took Testosterone in the form of Testogel for almost a year.

Libido - never did anything
Energy - noticed a positive difference early
Brain fog - same as energy
Motivation - not so much
Muscles/Strength - nothing

I put on over a stone in weight that my GP attributed to the testosterone so I came off it and the weight started dropping off. It also made me incredibly bloated. I was sad to stop it because I did feel bright as a button when taking it.

Thank you FruitBatBaby. Sorry it didn’t workout for you, for some it seems life changing/saving others nothing or not worth the side effects. I’ve had bloating with oestrogen, but not anything extra with testosterone (as yet).

Can I ask if you did any strength training while you were on it. I did read that strength gains only come if you are working out/physically active.

Thanks again for sharing your experience!

That's interesting to hear, I've just been prescribed some today bloating nor weight gain were mentioned in the side effects the dr read from book as far as I remember. So good to have heads up. However I've since been to two pharmacy and nowhere has it and was told the main supplier is out of stock!! Only been waiting about two years and now this!!! If I ever get some will keep you posted!

I've been on it for about 6-7 weeks now.

Unfortunately the same week it was prescribed I caught covid and have had other bugs/ infections every fortnight since so can't fully tell yet.

I do think libido improved fairly quickly but illness has scuppered an accurate analysis there! Oestrogen definitely helps me there too but covid infections do knock that for a few weeks.

I do feel more confident and, oddly, calmer. I really noticed it when driving on the motorway about a month after starting. I used to be fairly confident zipping up and down the a1/a19 but really haven't for a number of years.

I've noticed that I don't get as achey after what little exercise I've tried between bugs. I remember about a week or so after starting I had the motivation to do some gardening, despite still getting over covid, which I haven't had the impetus to do for a good few years (unless I had to.)

I found a chin hair last week - they'd stopped when I first started hrt. But I had a libido then too. That gradually dipped and other symptoms came back. I kept raising oestrogen but some symptoms remained. I had a private blood test showing vow testosterone and then Gp did a test too. Hence prescription. But I haven't noticed any other issues at all.

I expected greasy hair again like I used to have and spots, but nothing.

I believe it can take 3-6 months though so there may be more improvements. Being able to exercise will help me though.

Oh no @duvet! Which one were you prescribed/ is out of stock?

The dr put both options on the prescription testogel sachets or testim. I think I will have to ring around pharmacies tomorrow and hopefully hunt some down.

Hello, no I didn't do any strength training while on it (or any exercise for that matter ). The testosterone was the only thing I did differently hence they attributed the weight gain to that. Not everyone gets the weight gain so don't let that out you off. I remember having the Depo shot years ago and I piled a load of weight on after that, which again dropped off without effort once I stopped the shots. Maybe there is a link between the two.

I did get unwanted hair in the areas that I applied the gel. Luckily it's stopped now because that was a bit too much for me. I used to apply it on my inner thighs.

My Gp did do testosterone tests including FAI which was v low in range, before prescribing. Free testosterone was very low

For me it took 2 weeks to see a difference re libido

Thanks everyone for your experiences.

warriorN - funny about driving confidence. A lot of women report driving anxiety. I’ve definitely felt more confident with some sporty things that I do that are a bit risky.

duvet - hope you get the prescription from somewhere. My original prescription had to be changed as one of the gels was discontinued. Got testogel in the end.

I've been on it for 8 months.

It took 2 months to notice an improvement in stamina (I could suddenly run for longer before tiring), concentration and motivation.

After about 3 months, my anxiety had disappeared and I gave far fewer fucks about things and felt much more confident.

My libido came back with a vengeance after 6 months.

You'd have to prise testosterone out of my cold dead hands. Oestrogen resolved a lot of issues, but testosterone is the game changer for me.

@Mangoesontherun that all sound great. Interesting stuff. Hopefully I get some of that giving zero fucks effect too!!

It's only been 2 months and it's the lessening anxiety I think I notice the most. Which I'm really surprised about.

Too many illnesses to test out exercise tolerance but I climbed a hill I'd done a year ago much more easily and haven't been able to do any exercise for the preceding 3-4 months.

I'm not as achey though could also be higher Oestrogen

Wanted to know if those of you on testosterone have regular blood tests? I've been taking it for a couple of weeks but have been told my testosterone levels are abnormally high - I've been really careful about measuring the dose out with a 1ml syringe and splitting the sachet into 8 doses, but now have to stop taking it until my levels settle.

Anyone else have this on starting and did your testosterone levels settle, or did you have to use a lower dose?

I had one before to check levels and FAI. Both were low. Then have to have another in a few weeks which will be 3 months to check levels.

i like the way my doctor dies things she check bloods and goes on symptoms. She did hormone panel with FAI before I went on testosterone. FAI index went from 1 - 4 in about 3 weeks!

Libido was very quick to respond. Never been sure about the other symptoms.

About a year on Testim gel and though I think it is good for my brain it’s had no effect on my libido, I’ve gained a stone in weight and I have more body hair now. I’m thinking I’ll probably not bother once my current prescription runs out, there’s not enough benefit for the hassle.

Mine was v firm about doing a full panel including FAI before starting. I'd done a private test which showed below the low end of free testosterone. FAI was a tiny bit over 1, can't quite remember. But I had some symptoms that could have been testosterone. She upped my oestrogen at the same time as it still wasn't particularly high despite 100 patches. Was already on x200 Utrogestan continuously.

Thanks for your replies. My testosterone level has apparently gone from less than the bottom end of lower limit before starting to use it - ie practically non-existent - to 4x the upper limit of normal - in about 2 weeks. GP rather alarmed about it and has told me to stop taking it and will do repeat test to check it wasn't a freak result. I hadn't even applied any on the morning of the test.

Wondering if the female formulation - I know you can't get it prescribed on the NHS so would need to get it privately prescribed - is absorbed differently? Is anyone using this? I've been prescribed Testogel, so well aware this is a formulation for men, but not sure if that makes any difference?

I’ve been on Tostran gel for about 9 months.

I started it because my libido fell off a cliff, and with it my orgasms.

This all came back really soon but I’ve also noticed a huge improvement in focus at work and stamina at the gym. No side effects.

Have you had blood tests while on Tostran? I'm surprised my levels can have got so high in such a short space of time - been really painstaking at measuring the dose so I know I haven't used too much. It's taken nearly 6 months to persuade my GP to prescribe it - think she had a similar experience prescribing to someone else so was quite reluctant anyway. Suspect this will mean she's even more reluctant to prescribe it to anyone else.

I’m in my third year of Tostran and it’s been amazing. My dose is one pump alternate days or half a pump a day.

my energy is great, focus, va va voom I suppose. Libido good too. Yes some hair growth At application site.

No blood tests though as prescribed by a menopause specialist who goes by symptoms. She gives me guidelines on max dose and is happy for me to tweak based on how I’m feeling.

Cold dead hands here too.

I've just been given testim and no guidance to go back for blood tests as went by symptoms I guess. On second week and not noticing any benefits - but I have been feeling a bit achy the last couple of days - but I'm not sure if that's related.

Nothing much here.
Just very hairy inner thighs! 🙈