My Testosterone Journey: What I Wish I Knew From the Start
I was 27—just married, just had my first child, just started my first pharmacist job—and I was exhausted. Not just tired, but bone-deep, unrelenting fatigue that followed me home every day after work. At first, I chalked it up to stress or adjusting to new responsibilities, but it didn’t go away. My wife urged me to see a doctor.
The doctor ran labs, asked some questions, and told me everything looked "normal." He handed me a prescription for Zoloft and Xanax and said it was probably anxiety or depression. But I knew that wasn’t it. I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t anxious. I was just tired—and I needed help.
Fast forward a few years: I purchased a pharmacy that happened to specialize in hormone replacement therapy. The men who came in weren’t dragging themselves through the day like I was—they were vibrant, strong, focused, and sharp. Many were in their 60s and 70s, and all of them were on hormone therapy.
That’s when I met Dr. Bret Jacques, one of the docs who cared for these patients. By luck, he noticed that the pharmacy was on his way home and decided to stop in. I told him my story and he offered to see me. After a full workup, he told me the same thing I had heard before: "Your labs look normal." Can you imagine what was going through my mind? My heart sank…and he quickly caught the disappointed look in my eye. He quickly understood that I didn’t understand. He added - "But that just means we need to look deeper." And he did. He tested for inflammation, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies… and finally diagnosed me with something I’d never heard of in pharmacy school: a condition called, leaky gut.
I was skeptical, but I was out of options. He put me on a comprehensive gut repair protocol—nutrients, detox support, anti-inflammatories, and a complete diet overhaul. No sugar. No processed food. No soda. Every visit, he tracked my progress using a validated fatigue scale - the higher you scored, the more fatigue is represented.
I started in the 80s (out of 100). Slowly, over the next few months, my scores dropped into the 40s. But then I plateaued. I was better—but not well.
That’s when we spoke about testosterone. “Your levels are low,” he said, “and I wanted to give your body a chance to recover on its own. But it’s time.” A few weeks after starting testosterone, my fatigue score dropped to an 8… then a 4. It was like someone flipped a switch.
That moment changed my life—and it made me angry. Angry that I spent eight years in school and was never taught how to truly help someone feel better. Angry that we were trained to manage disease and not restore wellness.
Since then, I’ve tried nearly every form of testosterone therapy available—all bioidentical to the body. That’s critical, because our hormone receptors function like a lock and key; only the right fit can trigger the proper downstream effects, ensuring genes are activated as nature intended.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to try several bioidentical testosterone options—here’s what that journey has looked like.
I felt my best when using a topical testosterone and DHEA cream—especially when it was applied in a rhythmic pattern. This approach, which the pharmacy specialized in, made a huge difference in how I felt. The idea behind rhythmic dosing is to mimic the body’s natural testosterone production, not just on a daily cycle, but across the seasons.
It might sound unusual, but men don’t produce the same amount of testosterone year-round. From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense—our ancestors didn’t need as much testosterone during the winter, but levels naturally rose in the spring and summer, when physical activity, reproduction, and competition were likely more important.
Testosterone also fluctuates throughout the month and is influenced by relationship status. Research suggests that single men tend to experience multiple spikes per month, partnered men spike twice, and fathers of young children typically spike only once.
The protocol uses a dosing card and a calendar to guide application—it takes a bit of effort, but it’s easy to follow once you get used to it. And for me, the results were worth it.
DHEA was added to help balance my stress hormone, cortisol,l and also improve androgen (testosterone) receptor sensitivity.
This was by far the therapy I felt best on—dual testosterone and DHEA. I loved it. My wife, on the other hand, did not. Since I applied the cream twice daily, I sometimes unintentionally transferred it to her through the bedsheets, which would send her emotions into a tailspin. Selfishly, I kept using it because of how good it made me feel. But over time, it seemed to lose effectiveness. Maybe I stopped absorbing it well—possibly due to inflammation, or maybe I just became inconsistent with my routine. Either way, that’s what pushed me to explore the many other options you'll read about below.
I started with intramuscular injections, but honestly, I never liked them. The needles were large and painful, and I’d still feel soreness in the muscle even weeks later. Weekly jabs became something I dreaded.
As a compromise, I switched to subcutaneous injections. While testosterone is traditionally injected into the muscle, many doctors now prescribe it subcutaneously with good results. But for me, it had some downsides. First, drawing thick oil through a tiny insulin needle was a hassle, and slowly injecting it over 20–30 seconds was uncomfortable. Second, the frequency—daily or every other day—just made it feel like a chore. Third, I started noticing hair loss, which was surprising since DHT levels are typically higher with topical testosterone, not injections.
Ultimately, while it technically worked, I never really felt my best on this method. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
I tried testosterone pellets—twice. The first time, my levels skyrocketed. I was clearly overdosed. My libido went into overdrive—my wife didn’t mind, but it definitely disrupted my daily life. While testosterone is often praised for improving mood and mental clarity, I experienced the opposite. The excessive levels made me feel agitated and aggressive. I’m not someone known for having a temper, but during that time, I found myself snapping over small things. It genuinely felt like my personality had shifted.
The tough part about pellets? Once they’re implanted, you can’t just take them out. You’re stuck waiting 3 to 4 months for them to gradually dissolve.
I gave pellets a second try, hoping for a smoother experience—but it turned out even worse. Poor implant technique led to an infection, and the pellets were pushed out less than a week later. It was painful, and left a nasty scar. I still remember Dr. Jacques guiding the pellets out of my body with a pen through the open wound.
To this day—nearly a decade later—I still carry two dark scars on my backside as reminders of that procedure. Needless to say, pellets were my least favorite method of testosterone delivery.
Looking for something easy to apply but still effective, I tried a compounded alcohol-based testosterone gel. Alcohol helps push testosterone through the skin more quickly, allowing for higher initial absorption—and this method is generally known to work well.
But for me, it didn’t deliver. Despite its reputation, my levels never held steady. I suspect my body metabolized the testosterone too quickly. In hindsight, I probably needed to apply it twice a day to maintain more consistent levels.
Finally, on a colleague’s recommendation—and after reading a supporting study—I started applying testosterone gel to the scrotum along with the upper inner thighs once daily. Game changer. Even 24 hours after application, my levels held steady around 550 ng/dL. I felt the best I had since my days using the Testosterone and DHEA cream. I've been on this method for about a year now.
There are a few drawbacks: some occasional burning or stinging in the application area, and testicular shrinkage—a common side effect with any testosterone therapy, which can typically be managed with HCG.
One issue I’ve run into is elevated estradiol levels. To address this, I’ve added zinc to help reduce the conversion of testosterone to estradiol. I’ve also cut back on alcohol, started lifting weights again, and I know I still need to cut the caffeine. If those strategies don’t work, I may need to try DIM or consider switching delivery methods altogether.
Every testosterone delivery method has its pros and cons. But more important than the method is the bigger picture—your overall health: cortisol balance, thyroid function, inflammation, diet, sleep, and nutrient status. You’re not just treating low testosterone—you’re treating you.
As for me, I’m considering going back to rhythmic testosterone and DHEA dosing, this time adding scrotal application to ensure my levels stay where they need to be. I’ll be keeping a close eye on estradiol, too, to maintain balance and support the testosterone receptors my body needs to function at its best.
If your testosterone is low—get treated. Men with healthy testosterone levels live longer. Period. Your bones, brain, muscles, heart, and mood all rely on it. And no, testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. That myth has been thoroughly debunked.
So if you’re on the fence, I hope my story gives you the confidence to ask better questions—and demand better answers.
