Trt therapy

Hi I am diabetic 53 year old with erectile dysfunction and with low testerone. Ever since I started on metformin tablets I have experienced ED. But my glucose levels are at 6 now. So it’s a catch 22. Anyways had to fight with my doctor for him to prescribe trt as he said it will not do me any good. Along with ED I am fatigued and am losing muscles in the body. No other medical condition was diagnosed going through various blood tests.

Now my doctor has prescribed statins along with the TRT might be he is thinking I may get a heart disease due to the therapy. I do not want to take statins due to their side effects but on the other hand I want to be sure that I do not get a heart disease. Does anyone in the forum know what could be taken as an alternative to statins and a method to cure my erectile dysfunction? I will appreciate the help.

Hi.

I’m not a doctor, so don’t take this as medical fact or advice - but I would strongly suggest you try working with a doctor trained in TRT therapy as a minimum.
I used to pay for the high-end age management doctors (like Cenegenics), but I now go to a urologist who specializes in men’s health and TRT, and the insurance covers all of it including my TRT. Plus, he’ll help you with the ED, as well.

Regarding statins - they really can cause more harm than good. If your getting your A1C down to acceptable levels, working on exercise and keeping your diet in check, then if you don’t have really bad cholesterol issues, then I would avoid the statins, assuming your levels are in check.

However, regarding heart disease, I would get a full cardio work up to rule out any issue with your heart. The big issue with TRT making the news - guys who already have compromised health - such as clogged arteries or poor circulation, start on TRT then get a blood clot and sue the doctors.

It’s important while you’re on TRT to have your blood work done frequently - one month after starting, then every three months until you get things at the right levels. during that time, your doctor needs to observe your blood levels for hematocrit (if it’s too high, usually from too much testosterone, then you could get a blood clot), your kidney function, and your hormone levels - to keep things at the right levels.

Good luck.

Thank you for the reply. I had gone to an urologist and rather than examining properly my ED problem he has given his verdict that bit is all down to diabetes and did not help me with anything other than prescribing me viagra. Trt was prescribed by my endroconologist reluctantly and on the condition that if anything goes wrong it will be my responsibility.

I just now noticed you live in the UK, so apologies for not knowing much about how the system works there.
It sounds like they really aren’t in tune with the latest developments.
I would really try to find someone who specializes in age management medicine. They will address more than just one issue here.

One question regarding the TRT - how are they administering it to you? Are going in once a month, once a week for an injection, or are you doing it yourself.
Best results come from doing it twice weekly, so that the levels fluctuate less. Once you’ve been at it for a month, you should see steady results - combined with proper diet and exercise (both muscle building and High Intensity Interval Training), you will begin to see yourself shed fat and gain some muscle in short order. Doing that you should also see your blood chemistry improve dramatically.

In the meantime, there are some guys on here that have similar issues, that may be able to pipe in.

[QUOTE=oldjake]
I just now noticed you live in the UK, so apologies for not knowing much about how the system works there.
It sounds like they really aren’t in tune with the latest developments.
I would really try to find someone who specializes in age management medicine. They will address more than just one issue here.

One question regarding the TRT - how are they administering it to you? Are going in once a month, once a week for an injection, or are you doing it yourself.
Best results come from doing it twice weekly, so that the levels fluctuate less. Once you’ve been at it for a month, you should see steady results - combined with proper diet and exercise (both muscle building and High Intensity Interval Training), you will begin to see yourself shed fat and gain some muscle in short order. Doing that you should also see your blood chemistry improve dramatically.

In the meantime, there are some guys on here that have similar issues, that may be able to pipe in.
There is no such arrangements here as speacialized age management. I have been prescribed a gel to be applied everyday on shoulders for three months which I have not yet started. Nobody else has yet replied. The ED factor also started after I started on metformin tab. Before that I was taking Ayurvedic medicine and everything was normal including my glucose levels. Then my Ayurvedic doctor went away and I couldn’t find him hence started with allopathy.

Too bad the Ayurvedic doctor went away. I’m not sure why you couldn’t find another one. Are you not in or around a major city?

From what I know about the testosterone gels, they are useless, as they cannot deliver enough testosterone compared with injections. The gel is also not good, because when the medicine passes through the skin, a large portion of it converts to DHT rather than free Testosterone, and that will cause more problems with hair loss and prostate issues.

I would try to do more research to find an alternative. I know it may be difficult, but it’s your health and you have to be your own advocate.
I did a quick search and found this video online which may help steer you in the right direction.

regarding the ED, have you tried stopping the metformin just to see if the ED subsides? I know it may affect your glucose levels…

Hi Oldjake I thank you from the bottom of my heart the length you have gone to help me. The link you sent is very useful. As recommended by you that injections are more reliable than gels I will have to go back to my gp or endocrinologist to get it changed ,who is not a very nice person to deal with. He even went to the length saying I should accept my condition as old age!!!! Now I am really concerned with the two prescriptions and need to go in the depth before I use them.

That’s unfortunately the mentality of many traditional doctors. My original doctor tested me and said my low numbers were actually normal for my age. I was overweight, sluggish, scared that I would wind up having a heart attack one day, even though I tried to eat right and exercise. I was lucky enough to have some extra cash to go the private route and learned a lot from the doctor that got me started almost five years ago. Since then, I stopped using him because it was too expensive, and found the urologist who specialized in men’s health.

Keep doing your research and I hope you find someone that is a bit more forward-thinking.

Great advise ftom the group.

I am 51 snd traveling down the same path as you. If you want, PM me. I’d be happy to share my story.

I have been a diabetic since 1993. After 10 years, my ED started to develop and had continued to worsen as the years went by. Viagra worked for a while and then I had to switched to injections until they became ineffective. I am now relying on a VED (vacuum erection device) to generate and maintain an erection.

Elevated blood sugar causes peripheral neuropathy - desensitized nerve ending, including in your dick. It also causes autonomic neuropathy - a dulling of bodily functions, including the sex response. In addition, elevated blood sugear leaves plaque in your arteries which reduces blood flow. This combination of afflictions brought on by elevated blood sugar is the primary reason diabetics suffer with ED,

Sometimes, getting your blood sugar under control can reduce these effects and improve your ED. However, if you were out of control for too long, the damage can be perminant.

About eight years ago my blood test showed my T level to be about 290 so I went to a urologist to begin TRT in the hopes that it would reverse my ED. The urologist prescribed T gel which after six months increased my T level to over 800. It definitely increased my libido, but did little or nothing to improve my ED. Now I had high libido with a limp dick and my testicales started to shrink. Very frustrating. However, My blood tests started to show increasing PSA levels so I decided to phase out of the TRT.

My brother had low T and high sugar. The doctor gave him the gel, which helped with libido and his erections. The side effect he has is the same as you, his testicles keep shrinking the longer he uses the gel.

I, too, had low T but my sugar was fine. I opted for Clomid, which caused my testicles to get nice and large so they produce more T. It’s been a year and so far so good, …as although it did nothing for my ED. That I fixed, about 75% resolved, with PE.

Thanks to ThundersPlace where we can accelerate the assistance and provide at time even better guidance than what our traditional doctors are willing to explore and facilitate. Whatever you do, do not give up, you do not have to give up if traditional doctors are not willing to explore your circumstances and the treatment suited to your requirements.

It would be great if you can find an open minded specialist or clinic who have experience in treating and supporting men with the challenges that you are working through. However do not allow ignorance to deter you from the path. Age or not, you deserve a quality life and you should continue to pursue it.

Hi everyone

Thank you for the response I will give it a try and see how it goes. I have to change my lifestyle but feel so tired and exhausted that I cannot even bother go for a walk. Any more pros and cons please keep me posted. I will post whatever difference it makes good or bad after few weeks of administration. Any other supplements suggested to fix ED is welcome.

I have been on TRT for 2 years and would never try to live life without it. For about a year I was going to a TRT doctor. However, after all of the research and finding my own suppliers, I do it myself. It’s much easier than people think. I still have my labs run 4 times a year and everything is perfect.

What treatment do you do?