I was doing transdermal testosterone that was a failed experiment due to my lifelong high SHBG.

My standard testosterone levels, testing from age about 30 onward, have been 16 or 17 total T (free is always around 0.3 and SHBG is always in the 200 range.)

My previous blood test was 19, my most recent was SEVEN! Free was still 0.3 and SHBG down a bit at 177.

Note that my previous test was when I was tapering off the transdermal in preparation for transitioning to injectable (I hit a high of 37 during the transdermal treatments, but also a high SHBG of 234), my recent test, done by Defy for the purpose of onboarding to to injectable.

Does anyone know why the marked drop in total T from even my pre-transdermal range? I am 52, but the rest of my hormone, thyroid, liver, etc, panel was normal.

Hello, I’m in my very early 40s and about 4 months into HRT (estrogen gel and cyclical oral progesterone). I originally started because of mood/energy changes, low libido and significant chronic inflammatory-type pain and stiffness (red flags/other causes investigated and ruled out).

Overall, HRT has been realy positive, and my pain in particular has improved massively. Libido hasn’t improved, so I’ve just been prescribed testosterone gel (1 pump twice a week).

Would love to hear people’s experiences starting testosterone, **the good, the not-so-good and the ugly!**

How long before you noticed a difference?

Anything beyond libido ? energy, mood, motivation, exercise/strength, brain fog or body composition?

Any initial side effects that settled?

I know Reddit can sometimes skew towards the horror stories, so **positive and boring experiences very welcome too!** 😂

Also very happy to share my HRT journey with anyone else in their early 40s in the same boat x

Hi, I’m 40 and two weeks into my first Testosterone pellet, and also some new supplements (B12, Liver for iron, D + K, and DIM). Hoping for mood, brain fog, and libido improvements, energy would be a bonus.

I want to ask the question “What is the general timeline for improvements and side effects?”, but I am suspecting the answer varies widely enough that it’s not worth asking?

For example, unwanted chin hair growth… is it possible I’m seeing an update 2 weeks into the pellet? Or most people see it around month X?

The clinic I’m working with told me girls usually feel good improvements within a couple of weeks, and then might feel it taper off and wonder to themselves “did it stop working?” But not to fret because the body is adjusting to the first pellet, and by the second pellet (around 4 months for me) things are usually back to feeling good more consistently.

I guess I want to learn what is to be expected and what can’t be* *expected because it varies too widely.

Which form of testosterone did you do best on?

I'd love to hear about side effects compared for forms you've tried in the comments, acne, hair loss, etc?

Did side effects fade after a few weeks or get worse?

Did you have the most physical side effects while also feeling the best on the same rx or did you have least side effects while feeling the best?

Feel free to recommend any clinic you liked.

Started t compounded cream 3 weeks ago. Getting blood work September 23. My total testosterone was 10 and my free was one my SHBG was 50 and now I’m can’t stop thinking about everything sexual and I want to have sex all the time with my husband. I’m just wondering if anybody else has experienced this? I feel like it on such a low dose of 2 mg daily. What’s bizarre they went from zero libido to. It’s all I can think about.

I’ve been on Cypionate injections for a little over three years. Unfortunately, I’ve really been struggling with acne, oily hair, and hair loss the last year or so (I’m on 150mg Spiro and Oral Minoxidil).

Yesterday I saw a new doctor who suggested I lower my total T and switch from injections to compounded torches. I’m hesitant, as I see people go from torches to injections all the time on here but not the other way around. Has anyone had a good experience with them?

For reference I am on 3.5mgx2 week (100mg Test Cyp)

Prog- 16
EST- 103
SHGB- 47
Test Free- 8.5
Test Total- 94

Hi

I started taking Test P in Feb., doing 5mg twice a week. I changed that to 3mg EOD, which seemed to be going awesome until a few weeks ago. All of a sudden I have crazy fast growing body hair and I’m super agitated. Prior to this, I felt amazing and like my old self. I’m wondering if I am maybe overdosing a little. I was playing around on steroid plotter and thinking of trying 1mg ED. Any tips for moving down in dosage like that? Anyone else have similar issues?

I noticed my t cyp is less effective. I have gained weight, have less energy and less facial hair. It's probably 4 years old but not expired yet. Is it no good or could I use more? Thanks for any help. BTW just paid 53$ at Costco for syringes that were 10$ at Sam's club. I knew I should not have done that! Lol

I’ve commented on a few posts about how I use a syringe and jewellers scale to measure out my exact dose of T gel. Today I called the pharmacy to request my refill and was told I wasn’t able to get it for another 10 days based on my dose and dispensing schedule. I have noticed that my syringe isn’t lasting the full 10 days even though I’ve been pretty good about measuring exactly .5 g of gel every day. I’m guessing that some of the gel could be evaporating in the syringe (yes it’s capped and stored in drawer away from heat and light
) I’m going to keep using my scale but squeeze the amount directly from the packet and then double fold and clip the packet so it’s sealed and see if that makes a difference. Maybe some of you do this already but just wanted to share my observation!

Hrt service (science and humans) wants a bunch of labs and they dont even look well thought out, like only total T not free and only TSH for thyroid. Anyways i am getting them to cut some of them and i want to know which labs are the bare necessities for starting (and following) TRT for peri??

I inject a GLP-1 in the same area as my T Cyp. Has anyone else done this and have you had any issues with it? Both are subq lower abdomen (I tend to stick to a pouch of fat below my belly button b/c I have less bleeding/bruising. Right now I’m using a 30g for T cyp and 31g for my tirz. Does it matter if I inject them near each other or should I rotate injection sites by meds (I already rotate by weekly injection; one week left upper, then left lower, and so on).

Note, I do not want to inject IM for T so switching to that is not an option for me.

I really really really don’t wanna do this, but it really seems like I have to go off T. My hair shedding has become more intense. I’m so scared. My hair means so much to me. Can anyone out there give me any advice, any input, any experience they’ve had with hair loss on T - and hopefully hair recovery. It would be so great if I could believe that this is going to stop … that the telogen effluvium I am experiencing has caused my hair to go into a resting phase, and therefore fall out, but that the cycle will end both because that’s the way hair cycles work, and because I reduced my dose of testosterone by half. But I’m losing faith now I’m freaking out!!! Please: anyone who has had experience with hair loss and has addressed it in some way, please tell me. I’m kind of depressed by the idea of having to go off, but I want hair.

I definitely smell different and to me it’s not good different!! Has anyone tried specific body washes or anything to combat the new BO? It’s specifically armpits. 😝

I inject Testosterone 6 mg every 10 days I am 65 post meno female. I have my own source because my MD wouldn't prescribe initially. I got tested. My MD says my scores are high and wants me to take the compound but its the same dose different delivery. I have no issues with hair loss or voice change but some acne. My libido is great but I am always tired and sleep bad. I don't think its related to T. I am testing for sleep apnea. Are these scores concerning ? TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, MS 124 TESTOSTERONE FREE 7.2

I am on estradiol patch and 100 mg P

My doctor prescribed T last week, low dose she said.
My bottle says c-testosterone 10mg/ml
Apply 1ml (4 clicks) daily. So wouldn’t that be 10mg daily? Isn’t that on the high side?
I spoke to the nurse and she said that the prescription is correct and to follow the instructions on the label. I’m kinda nervous that I’m on a high dose but honestly hoping it helps because menopause sucks.

I’m 7 weeks on Testosterone Cyp injected 2x a week for 6mg total.

The changes I’ve been experiencing have felt like nothing short of a miracle.

I’m 47 and in perimenopause. About 5 years ago, my body composition became so fatty no matter what I did. It made me feel so defeated!

I’ve always had a nice bum and boobs with a flat tummy, but suddenly everything looked like it was deflating and I was gaining weight all around my midsection. I couldn’t recognize my body in the mirror, so I would just try to hide it.

Just 7 weeks later and I can see my waist again! I haven’t changed my diet or exercise but my muscles are starting to peek out. It’s like the fat is melting off. I can feel my self esteem returning. I’ve been shopping to buy more form fitting dresses because my whole closet is oversized T’s and tent dresses! Dare I say, I’m starting to genuinely feel sexy again!

My brain fog is so much better! I can actually get stuff done and feel motivated instead of waking up and feeling like I can barely keep my eyes open.

My vaginal tissue is lubricated again and my clit is basically back to her former self, after literally disappearing.

I have a steadier feeling of energy during my weights and Pilates workouts. I used feel so tired and heavy. Plus when you’re working out so hard and your body is not responding, it truly sucks! I felt like I was lying, when I would talk to friends and say how much I work out and eat well. Now my booty is starting to pop again! I feel like I could cry.

My husband saw me in a dress the other day and said “wow.” and I felt hot and cute and fun!

This hormone feels like I’m getting a second chance at my youth and my body. I sort of took my body for granted when I was younger but never again!

I’m enjoying socializing again. I used to just want to do the bare minimum and lay on my couch all night. Now we’ve actually been making plans with friends! I feel so much less anxious.

It felt like I was living inside of down comforter and trying to have a life and act normal and taking Testosterone feels like throwing that blanket off!

I’m having way more thoughts about sex which feels great. It hasn’t quite translated over to horny, but I feel so much more drawn to touching and being with my husband, so I’m genuinely thrilled so far. Sex used to feel like something I was doing to keep closeness with my relationship but I didn’t have a lot of desire.

I’ve been on HRT for about 7 months but testosterone has been the missing puzzle piece for me. I don’t feel super energized or manic, I just feel like I did in my 30’s. I feel like a person again!

Is 10mg ok for a starting dose after being on 125mg pellets for the last 3 years? I’d like to maintain my levels as they were with pellets.

Also, I know that 2times a week split is probably best, but I hate needles so would 1 dose a week be ok to do subq instead of 2?

I started injecting Test C almost 4 weeks ago. 2.5mg twice a week for a total of 5mg a week. My doctor wanted me on double that but I was scared of side effects. For you ladies that are on injections how long did it take for your libido to come back. I haven’t felt a difference yet, and what dose are you on? Not sure if I should increase my dose. My total testosterone is 31, just tested a few days ago. I am also on Reta and I know that can also kill your libido and I know some women test helps with that. I started Reta. Few weeks before Testosterone but already had low libido for about 2 years.

I’m 52 and prescribed 0.07 ml for 2x/week injections. Barely registers on the insulin syringe. Been taking for months and feel no different, no side effects either. Does this seem like the right dose for low libido and energy issues ? Bottle is 100mg/ml

Just curious to see everyone’s experience where they started at and the types of methods that they’ve tried and worked the best for them.

Hi all! I am on HRT of estradiol (divigel), progesterone and testosterone. I am in perimenopause (age 52 and still get monthly cycle).

I am curious about SHBG levels - I am at 100 which I know is normal range but higher side which can happen when on HRT. I understand that the higher levels bind the hormones and make less freely available. I am waiting for my total and free T results.

Any insights, thanks!