Well I'm on chemicals now and my testicular function is severely compromised, so my hormone levels are VERY low. I find that I function great, and that I'm more 'myself' than when my T is at, say, 200 (which in Germany is considered 'normal', aaaaaaaaaaargh). On the other hand I function well in the 500-600 range too (my original range), and my physical strength there is better, though I'm not as calm and relaxed in that range. I started on the chemicals about a month ago and the change was instantaneous (within a few days) and for the better, after a while in that crummy in-between range. So I think you're on to something, Casey, and in my case I think it has to do with the effects of T levels being very nonlinear.

I'm sure it depends on how you're wired; my boyfriend says that I'm pretty unusual in how I've adapted. I do also find that at low levels of T I'm MUCH more sensitive to what I eat, drink, do, etc. Drinking an entire bottle of wine or having a couple of pieces of cake will make me feel worse (and go RIGHT to my hips) whereas with higher T my system can handle those things better. And going wakeboarding wrecked me for an entire week afterward.

But conditional on taking care of myself well, my memory and enjoyment are great, and in fact I find myself pretty easily amused. It does help that I'm with a man I love, and I'm DEFINITELY more romantic at low levels (sex drive somewhat different though).

When my T level first dropped, I experienced the aforementioned problems with multi-tasking, concentration, loss of interest in doing anything, memory recall difficulty, plus lack of strength and muscle deterioration, etc.

After a period of being on HRT, the above conditions were reversed.

Thankfully and surprisingly, when I stopped HRT and started taking Siterone, which resulted in a lower T level than the initial low T period, I did not experience what I call "Testosterone Withdrawal Syndrome" (TWS). I just transitioned from a high normal T level to a low T level and had no reaction other than an elimination of my interest in sex, libido, and ability to perform. I have no idea why.

One thing I wonder about is the rate at which one adds to or subtracts from their body any hormone . Maybe a gradual reduction or increase in a particular hormone, over weeks or months of time might help reduce or mitigate undesirable side effects. Just a thought.

nullorchis (imported) wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:24 am One thing I wonder about is the rate at which one adds to or subtracts from their body any hormone . Maybe a gradual reduction or increase in a particular hormone, over weeks or months of time might help reduce or mitigate undesirable side effects. Just a thought.

I definitely agree with the proposal that a gradual change will not induce as many side-effects.

charlene

_g (imported) wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:44 am You may be taking to much estrogen. Allot of the members report that they don't do well without HRT, and they also report that the levels of HRT the doctors wish them to take, they also have problems with. So you could reduce the amount of HRT you are taking and see how you feel.

I agree. I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor to see if I can get a low dose of Estrogen. I need to find the happy medium.

Casey, good decision.

River

I went with no testosterone for 9 months and basically had dementia couldn't remember things and was working in a mechanic shop. Analysis and logical thinking was difficult.

Has anyone had luck with raloxifene. I am not female and don't want to be. Read some where ginger was good for menopause memory. I also struggle with tendonitis seams to go hand in hand. Aswganda helped some.

Thanks AsaRobbie for bringing this thread up. Very interesting.

I have been a mechanic since 1975 and got to where I couldn’t quickly remember things like firing orders I had known for ever. 2.5 years no T.

In the 7 months I went without T. I could remember things okay but self confidence was lacking.

I would be constantly double checking if I had forgotten to do things.

Enjoyment yes I didn't have some of the depression that some folks get.

Have you tried black seed oil? There is plenty of hype. One study on rats where they had significant estrogen levels. I have though of trying it and raloxifene. Having anger/edgyness with TRT and when I lower my T I feel horrible. Don’t want to be trans but I hate TRT.