24 Yrs Old. Started with Gel, Stopped After Side Effects. Advice?

You really need to break these long paragraphs up, most just don’t bother reading.

unreal24278,

Thank you as always for your detailed and insightful posts. Sorry to hear that you also have suffered with ED. So you would say that your TRT regime has actually improved your erections, in conjunction with Cialis? I will ask my GP about Cialis alongside the gel, as perhaps this will assist with erectile strength and duration. Loss of morning erections was the “red flag” symptom which prompted me to constantly argue against conventional wisdom that my symptoms were not “all in my head” and did indeed have some physiological cause!

I am due to see an endo in three weeks. Unfortunately, he is on the NHS (UK state healthcare provider) and as such I do not have much hope for him being able to accurately diagnose and moreover treat the underlying cause of my low testosterone. I guess in OZ it’s different in that you have to pay for medical care or do you have insurance polices that cover your TRT and doctor appointments and tests? I note your comments about the oestrogen levels, and shall be sure to get these properly tested with the endo.

In relation to SHBG, are you aware of any doctors prescribing medications to specifically lower SHBG to free up the testosterone? My numbers have consistently come back around 46-48 on a reference chart that goes up to 50. Definitely higher end of normal. If you don’t mind me asking, what is your SHBG level?

I think much of our discussion will inevitably be hypothetical until I have consulted with my endo and had the necessary tests like MRI etc to check my pituitary gland and other hormones. However, it is reassuring to know that I am not the only guy under 30 experiencing these unpleasant issues!

I also get bad acne and these random bouts of what seem like hot flushes. They come on suddenly, and are accompanied by itching all over the body? Have you had anything like this?

Joe.

My trt regime has improved my erectile quality (a bit), however it is not in conjunction with Cialis, I have some Cialis “as needed”, for instance if I am going to hook up I will take one beforehand. I don’t qualify for a PBS subsidy on my TRT unless my levels are below 6nmol. My doctor’s appointments are covered however the TRT is not. I am not aware of any medications prescribed by doctors to lower SHBG, however I know bodybuilders implement certain anabolic steroids to lower SHBG such as stanozolol (Don’t do this, you will wreck your lipids beyond belief. steroids (besides testosterone) are strictly (in my opinion) for bodybuilders who make a living off their physique, strength athletes and people with muscle wasting diseases) plus the long-term effects of anabolic steroid usage are still unknown as there is surprisingly very little medical research in that area (and using anabolic steroids for lowering SHBG is a seriously bad idea, I’m just telling you what I know because you asked if any medication can lower SHBG and I always think honesty is the best way to go about things).

As for your high SHBG, I wouldn’t worry about it, it is still possible to get a normal FT level with high SHBG. My SHBG is low, between 20-23, however my free testosterone was still below the bottom of the reference range due to how absurdly low my total testosterone was. Before TRT I would get occasional hot flushes, they suck, I had acne as a tween (10-11-12) however that calmed down significantly after I was around 13-14. You are far from the only guy under 30 experiencing these issues, I however, am unaware of anyone MY age who has had to experience these issues.

Hey,

Happy New Year! Thank you for your post, they are always very detailed and helpful, so thank you. I have tried Cialis but as I cannot swallow tablets, had to chew it. Could this impact upon its efficacy? Are you aware of any ED drugs that come in either liquid form or dispersible tablets? I hear that some men use a drug called alprostadil for their ED and that these injections produce strong, high quality erections in something like 95% of the men who use them. Have you had any experiences using these at all?

In relation to SHBG and the impact a high end normal range might have on free testosterone, what number should I be aiming for for optimal health? You say yours is low at 20-23, so would 30 likely be a healthy number? I also have mild enlarged breast tissue along with the abdominal bloating and acne; could this be caused by excess oestrogen? Are you aware of any TRT doctors prescribing drugs that can shrink the breast tissue and give a more “masculine”/ flat shaped chest?

Can you confirm that you take TRT only and that you do not use HCG or similar? We must stay in touch and bounce ideas and stories off each other, as it is comforting to know there are guys of my generation going through similar difficulties.

Joe.

I don’t believe the gel works for treating all your symptoms. Plus it’s dangerous if you are around women or children. I would try a supplement and see if that works. Amazon.com