A couple of months ago I manged to convince the Doctor at the clinic to do a testosterone check and I finally got the results back. The Doctor told me that my testosterone level was 172, and added that was on the low side. He also talked about using medicine and the drawbacks to correct the problem..(ie increased chance for prostrate cancer and expense)...i was wondering what people in the group felt?

Well, knowing how I feel on just 25 µg of estradiol a day (which is awesome), I'd say that your hormone levels are going to have a pretty large influence on how you feel. So, how do you feel about yourself now? If you feel pretty good, then why change? You're not at castrate levels, so it's not as if you're at risk of osteoporosis.

If on the other hand you feel like crap, you might want to look into boosting your testosterone levels a tad.

It's all relative; I'm sure a lot of guys have your testosterone levels their entire life and feel perfectly fine with it. Your levels are merely on the lower side of the naturally occurring range. There's no such thing as a right level.

How do I feel?

Considering that I just got back from a photography trip to Death Valley I feel pretty good, but that is the exception. Under normal conditions I hardly have any energy and have been classified by SS as permanently disabled due to Chronic Depression.

IbPervert (imported) wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:38 am How do I feel?

Considering that I just got back from a photography trip to Death Valley I feel pretty good, but that is the exception. Under normal conditions I hardly have any energy and have been classified by SS as permanently disabled due to Chronic Depression.

How long have you feeling like this. The types of effects of castration. What is your goal? Have more or less testosterone? Age also has a factor. Your depression will also have a great deal on how you feel and energy levels. You could have both things working for or against you.

IbPervert (imported) wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:38 am How do I feel?

Considering that I just got back from a photography trip to Death Valley I feel pretty good, but that is the exception. Under normal conditions I hardly have any energy and have been classified by SS as permanently disabled due to Chronic Depression.

One of the effects of castration or low testosterone is Depression. This is one of those things which is so variable.

Going on HRT will atrophy your testicles. There are many posts on HRT on the board so please research before you decide about HRT.

_g

I was in a similar state - chronic depression and low T. I have been on Androjel for two years and have more energy and less depression. As pointed out, there has been some shrinking of my balls. The biggest problem is regulating the T level to something stable. Also, the Androjel has affected my thyroid levels.

scarnick (imported) wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:08 pm I was in a similar state - chronic depression and low T. I have been on Androjel for two years and have more energy and less depression. As pointed out, there has been some shrinking of my balls. The biggest problem is regulating the T level to something stable. Also, the Androjel has affected my thyroid levels.

As it has been said many times. HRT is not as easy to control as the real thing. One needs to really consider all the negatives of castration. Test period is so important.

Happy that you have lessened the depression and improve of energy levels.

I'm confused, but that's not unusual.

Your profile seemes to say that you haven't

been castrated but would like to be.

So do you want to go down from the 172

or up?

If you want more let the doc work with you, if

you don't like it you can stop.

When I started down this path I was very interested in being castrated, but over time my opinion changed and now I am not so sure. I have been struggling with depression for a long time, but four years ago it became very intense...perhaps that is when my testosterone levels started to go down. I have always been on the lethargic side of things, but now I really have to force myself to do things...plus I think I am starting to get a little forgetful.

I think your level is really low and you will be experiencing the baggage that comes with castration. I know this is not everyone but my experience was

Depression

Anxiety issues

Inability to make decisions

Sex drive went to Zilch....

Lack of motivation

Lack of energy

Mood issues (Angry a LOT)

Sound familiar? Going on AndroGel took work. Dose is very important to find and you need to be talking to your doctor about symptoms. Its not just "one dose solves all problems"

Whoever said your testes will atrophy is right. Be SURE you know what kind of Hypogonadism you have. If its primary your testes are "broken" and all you can do it go on HRT. If its secondary the control signals to your testicles is missing and a drug like Clomid or HCG can stimulate them to produce normal levels of Testosterone. This will not atrophy your testicles AND you will be fertile. HRT will "probably" make you sterile or close to it. So, if your primary you may wish to talk about banking sperm.

Life for me became so much better once I went on HRT.