In my early 40's I had suggested to a number of the older 50+ firefighters I work with, they get their levels checked, after hearing them complain about not having the endurance to fight fires the way they use to. There is a local Dr. who runs a "men's health clinic" and is pretty good. Most of them reported great results after beginning TRT.
At 45 my girl suggested I go get my levels checked. I was resistant as I wasn't depressed, wasn't getting weaker, per se, and wasn't experiencing any lowered libido. She countered with "you're not depressed, but you're blah", you complain that you hate working out now and your libido is good because you have an active imagination and creative mind".
The truth was, I was blah and things that used to interest me rarely did anymore. I had a million aches and pains and did hate working out and fighting fires was becoming tougher. I still had the energy to get into a fire and do my job, but sustained work for a prolonged period was leaving me gassed more quickly. Far worse however, was that I was suffering anxiety attacks and had been diagnosed with PTSD.
At my first visit, the Dr. asked me how many concussions I've had throughout my life. I responded with 4 diagnosed and probably another 4 undiagnosed. He sent me for blood work, but guaranteed me I would come back low. I came back around 260 ng\dl.
I started at 100mg/wk and it popped me up to about 600 ng/dl. Having done a couple short (8 wk) cycles in my 30's of about 800 mg/wk of test, I was very skeptical that I was going to notice anything with 100mg/wk. However, with in about 10 days I started to notice subtle changes. The biggest thing was no general heightened anxiety and no outright attacks. At this point we raised the dose to 130mg/wk and it put me at around 1100 ng/dl.
After about 6 weeks I really started to notice a difference. The biggest, again, was zero anxiety. That alone was enough to convince me I would never go off. In addition, I simply felt more sure of myself and more assertive. Basically it was like going back in time and regaining that sense of invincibility of my 20's, but with the wisdom of my mid 40's. I felt confident in anything I was doing, but aware of consequences and not so testosterone poisoned as to do things recklessly, as I had in my youth.
Physically, my endurance was much, much better which I really noticed playing hockey and in tough, prolonged fires. I also noticed the chronic aches and pains in my shoulders and hips were decreasing. They didn't disappear, but they decreased to the point that I really enjoyed working out again. I hadn't really noticed, but before TRT, I was starting to get a little of the middle aged guy, chest drop. I still had decent chest development, but the upper part of my chest had lost the fullness it used to have. Since TRT the upper portion of my chest has filled out again.
As for libido, what I hadn't realized before TRT was that I was losing sensitivity and orgasms weren't that intense. With TRT, orgasms became much, much more intense and felt much better and more satisfying. My sex drive also became much more primal, like it was in my youth, but now with more self assuredness. My girl and I have never been much for "making love", but now even less so than ever.
The one big thing I've noticed about testosterone is that, in regards to strength and physique, hormones matter far more than anything else. Of course I always knew that, but I never understood to the degree. You can have your training, nutrition and supplements dialed in perfectly and if you're not in a good place hormonally, it means fuck all. It's why you see some guys do nothing right but touch a weight and blow up and then you see other guys do everything right and make tiny gains year after year.
I'm certain I've suffered low test since about age 30, as I made all my gains in my 20's and struggled after that point. Even a couple short cycles in my 30's did very little. They likely would have been more successful if I had carried them out for 20 weeks instead of 8, but 8 was too short.
Last year, at age 47, I did exactly 24 full body workouts. That's 2 a month for the math impaired. It wasn't planned, it was just that life was busy and it was all I fit in. Those workouts were short and very low in volume. In addition, I only actually trained legs in less than half those workouts and arms in maybe 2/3 rd's of those workouts. So basically, my full body workouts consisted of chest, back and shoulders.
From a diet standpoint, I've eaten like shit and I would guess protein has been consistently in the 80-120 g/dy range, which is perfect if you're following the RDA, I guess.
Honestly, I'm carrying about the same amount of muscle I was at age 30. I have a set of 100 lb. dumbbells in the garage along with a set of 70's. I walk out to the garage once every two weeks and do 4 sets of bench with the 100's, 4 sets of back rows, 4 sets of shoulder press with the 70's and some high rows or face pulls with bands. If I'm feeling energetic I will do some arm stuff with the bands. If my hips aren't hurting from touch football or hockey, I will do some high rep goblet squats with a 100 lb db, until my low back gives out.
Today I'm still at 130 mg/wk of test split into twice weekly shots. I have arimidex, but rarely use it as my E2 has remained decent. I did get a spike for a about 6 months and used a 1/2 mg/wk. which did the trick. I don't use HCG as I have no plans of reproducing at this point and my nuts haven't shrunk much, although a little.
One side effect I have noticed is elevated hematrocrit, which jumped up to 54%, which is the upper limit. Blood donation every 2 months has kept this in check.