r/UKTRT

Hello all I've taken the leap and ordered my initial test with my wife's encouragement but I'd love some reassurance. I'm feeling huge imposter syndrome right now. I'm just 39 with Crohn's disease, full colon resection and small intestine up to ileum with a permanent ileostomy.

I've committed myself since my early years to eating well and exercising; hikes and rucks, working manual labour job and power building. My strength has always been interstellar for a small natural guy with a chronic medical condition; 230kg deadlift and 200kg back squat, 180 on the safety bar, 100kg bench and ring Dips 100.

About 6 months ago my wife gave me the green light to convert the garage into a home gym and I put my heart and soul into it, long days and didn't train for 4months.

I'm 8 wks back into training and very concerned; I went to see my gp I was so concerned with my fatigue, lack of strength, soreness, recovery and irritability but she won't order me blood tests.

I've worked up properly reconditioning myself, eating well doing my cardio etc just like I have done dozens of times working seasonal manual labour jobs back home but it won't stick and feel like I'm grinding myself to a pulp just to lift weights I used put in the first week or two of my training block.

Tried a deload at 60% of last weight used and I'm so sore i can barely take my daily walk two days later.

Can the slide happen this fast? The last time I had my hormones tested I was in my early 30s and was told everything looked good. My muscle tone still looks OK but having trouble getting back to 100%, I'm pretty lean still 15%~, sleep is good but energy levels fatigue soreness and libido are abyssmal.

Sorry for the book; Did not think I'd be in the low t boat and this is definitely not something I wanted but I feel like crap and could use some reassurance.

Thanks all.

Started TRT about 3 weeks ago and I’m currently on 120mg of testosterone cypionate per week through a UK clinic.
So far I’m happy with the slow improvements. Nothing massive yet, but I know it’s still early days.

Just wondering if anyone in the UK has ever increased their dose themselves without telling their doctor/clinic? If so, what dose were you prescribed and what did you increase it to?

Not saying I’m definitely going to do it — just thinking out loud and interested to hear other people’s experiences, especially with UK clinics and blood tests.

**EDIT**

Thank you everyone for the feedback mature responses! Ived decided to increase to 400mg pwe week, only joking:). Will the follow the advise. 😊👍

https://preview.redd.it/3xasj5vr4tjh1.png?width=784&format=png&auto=webp&s=27abc0b4be64410048411da2b8ba867ba4768cd5

Cannot progress to treatment here, but at least it did show my Free T was low (which explains the symptoms). Can honestly say I'm already trying out other supplements to get that SHBG down, but they seem to have no effect.

Ive done my blood tests with Voy and got my results quickly. Still need to have my doctor consultation but the app is saying my recommended treatment is injection......I dont mind needles but not sure I can inject myself. Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you get round it. My wife hates needles and she definitely wont help.

Maybe I just need to man up and get on with it.

Also seing some.posts about people having to buy their own needles....does the treatment not come as a kit each week/month?

I've been taking trt (80mg Cypionate per week + HCG) for 7 weeks now and for the last two weeks I've lost the initial libido and erection benefits I had but also my sleep is terrible - I'm struggling to settle and get into a deep sleep consistently and this is not something I ever had an issue with pre trt. Could this be a sign that I have too much estrogen conversion?

NHS vs private TRT - looking for advice

Hello, bit of a longer one but I could really use some advice from people who have been through the UK TRT process.

I've been treated for hyperthyroidism for just over 2 months with Carbimazole and have responded well. I'm waiting for an NHS endocrinology appointment, but have been told the average wait is around 34 weeks.

The hyperthyroidism was discovered while investigating low testosterone.

My testosterone was 3.7 nmol/L in May, and after waiting 3 months I repeated it last week. It came back at 5.6 nmol/L. The second test was fasting at 08:40, so although it's improved, it's still well below the lab range of 8.6–29.0.

I've got ongoing symptoms including low energy/fatigue, brain fog, significantly reduced libido, reduced gym performance, and the rest. It's now affecting my ability to concentrate at work and my mental health.

My GP has referred me to endocrinology for the low testosterone but has said TRT isn't initiated in primary care and I'd need to wait for the hospital specialist.

The lab has suggested SHBG/free testosterone/LH/FSH/prolactin testing. I've already had LH/FSH and prolactin tested, so I'm mainly missing SHBG/free testosterone.

I'm considering going private because the prospect of potentially waiting until 2027 for treatment is daunting.

TL;DR: Two low testosterone results (3.7 → 5.6 nmol/L), significant symptoms, NHS endocrine referral but potentially a very long wait. Would you go private or wait for the NHS? Also, are there UK clinics that will accept recent NHS blood results rather than making me repeat a full blood panel?

Any clinic recommendations/experiences would be appreciated!

My SHGB level is at 81
Test is low, but just in range
I have had all the symptoms for years, 49, diet is clean, I walk the dog about 2 hours a day, can’t train at the minute as bad back.
Just wondering if It’s worth jumping on, clinic sez I will hopefully see night and day difference.
Thanks for any advice

Which trt company can provide test cyp the cheapest? I dont care for after care and customer support just need medical grade looking to change from ugl.

I have just completed month 3 testing with Voy, full bloods done…I actually had a further finger prick test completed 6 weeks ago to check things…which was good from them.

That result was FreeT 0.406 & T 21.2 however just received my latest bloods and both have drop to: FreeT 0.391 & T 18.2.

My consultation is booked for 2nd September, should I be asking for an increase in my weekly dose? Currently my dose is 80mgs a week.

After joining Voy at the beginning of this month, recieved my kit promptly, all neatly packed.

Went on to my account to view instructions etc and noticed that the promised £80 credit for completing the second blood test had not been credited.

Straight on to customer services via their bot, for two full days one bot brush off after another, the bot doesnt know how many people work in customer sevices! my guess is none.

I can feel a charge back coming on for £160, my bet is there's plenty of people in accounts.

High SHBG, ~600 total T but low free T — is TRT worth it?
I’m 44. Before enclomiphene my labs were:
Total T: 615
Free T: 8.5
SHBG: 63.4
E2: 14
After trying enclomiphene, my last labs before TRT were:
Total T: 590
Free T: 7.6
SHBG: 71.8
My main issues are libido/sexual function, energy and recovery. Overall I’d rate how I feel about 5/10 — not terrible, but definitely room for improvement.
I just started testosterone cypionate 120 mg/week, split 60 mg Monday/Thursday.
My question: Could lowering SHBG naturally/without TRT meaningfully increase free T? And for guys who started TRT with ~600 total T but high SHBG/low free T, how much did you actually improve?
I’m not trying to get my total T to 1,000+ or chase numbers. If TRT only takes me from 5/10 to 6/10, I’m not sure I want the long-term commitment. If the improvement can be substantial in someone with my labs, that’s a different story.
Anyone start from a similar place?

Hi All,

I am running next year’s TCS London Marathon for the National Autistic Society. A brilliant charity helping many in need.

Any contribution big or small is much appreciated and will help me hit my target 🙂

This is the biggest mental and physical challenge I’ve ever taken on and I’m excited to get training kick started and seeing this through to help the charity but also prove to myself that I can do it (even if my body will absolutely hate me afterwards 🤣)