My Doctor Said My Testosterone Was Normal—So Why Did I Have Symptoms?

I was never shredded, but not by choice. Since I was in my twenties, I’ve been hitting the gym multiple times a week, doing Olympic weightlifting, cardio, and high-intensity interval training. I’ve tried multiple diets, all of which emphasized protein. Still, it took me years (and a lot of effort) to put on 20 pounds of muscle, and I felt discouraged when other men my age did the same after just a few months. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was up with my testosterone levels.

The wild thing is, I was having my testosterone checked every year at my physical exam. My numbers were in the 300s to 400s—at the lower end of the range of normal testosterone. But when I asked my doctor if my levels could be interfering with my ability to build muscle mass, he brushed off my concerns and said I was fine. 

Once I hit 40, other symptoms began cropping up. It started taking me hours to fall asleep, and I frequently woke up in the middle of the night. Unsurprisingly, I felt drained by the time my alarm clock went off in the morning. I found myself irritated all the time and would snap at my wife and kids over little things. My job as a work-from-home insurance associate, which I previously felt was a low lift, suddenly seemed impossible to get through every day. I also crept up to 21 percent body fat—the highest body fat percentage I’d ever had.  

I was desperate for relief. But according to my doctor, I was fine. I had no idea what to do. 

Things changed two years later after my neighbor stopped by my yard to catch up. I had known him for years, but something was different about him. He looked way more muscular and also seemed happier. I asked him if he changed his diet, hoping he could point me in the right direction. He told me he had recently started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which made it easier for him to gain muscle and manage his mood. I envied his progress. I decided it was time to get a second opinion on my hormone health. 

I ordered an at-home hormone assessment through Hone. A few weeks later, I received my results: My total testosterone was just 230 ng/dL, which would be low for a guy in his 70s. And I was only 42!  I was surprised and upset. I felt like my concerns had been dismissed.

TRT TRANSFORMATIONS

Treating My Husband’s Low Testosterone Saved Our Marriage

I Feel 10 Years Younger After Treating My Low T

My Hone doctor told me that while it’s true that 300 to 1,200 ng/dL is technically the average range for “normal” T, men who experience symptoms of low testosterone on the lower end of that spectrum can benefit from hormone therapy. In other words, my testosterone levels might have been normal on paper, but they weren’t optimal for me. 

My Hone doctor started me off with twice weekly testosterone injections, which brought my levels up to around 600. My mood improved almost instantly, but my muscles still fatigued pretty quickly. I also noticed that I was retaining more water than usual. Hone sent me another hormone assessment ahead of my three-month check-up, which showed that my estradiol levels had shot up to over 40 pg/ml. 

I was prescribed anastrozole to bring my estradiol down while preserving my newly optimized testosterone levels—and it made a huge difference. My sleep and energy levels improved. My wife even told me my attitude seemed a lot better. I no longer dealt with water retention and I was able to power through my workouts. 

I felt like I was going through a second puberty—in a good way. Before I started T, I would bench press 225 pounds for about 9 or 10 reps before reaching fatigue. A few weeks into my newly adjusted treatment, I was able to double those reps. 

My one-rep maxes are also the highest they’ve ever been: 500 pounds for the deadlift and 350 pounds for the bench press. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would hit these numbers at this age, I wouldn’t have believed you. 

After just two months on TRT and anastrozole, I packed on 15 pounds of muscle and dropped to just 16 percent body fat, all while sticking to the same workout routine and diet I’ve always followed. I’ve had to buy a whole new wardrobe to accommodate my wider traps and shoulders. 

At 42, I look jacked for the first time in my life. I’m still not used to the compliments I’m getting from other guys at my gym. I feel like I’ve finally arrived at peak fitness.

How Will TRT Transform You?

Hone delivers treatments for low T to your doorstep, if prescribed.

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