Question: I would like to ask an endocrinologist this question. In the summer of last year, a urologist put me on Testosterone replacement shots to address libido and ED issues. My levels were low. He put me on 200 mg a week. I was ok for about 2-3 months, but around thanksgiving, a blood test showed me at "above 1,500" on my T levels. He cut me back to 150 mg every week, but about 2 weeks later, I went theough a week of extreme anxiety, mood swings and insomnia. In early January, my internal doctor told me that the high T level was the cause of this, and that the urologist was wrong to get me to such a level. She cut me back to 150 mg every two weeks. About a month later, I had another bad week, and she said that we probably cut too fast, and she put me on 100 mg a week. For the next few months, I went through periods of mood swings, anxiety and occassional insomnia. On March 19, I finally went to see an endocronologist, who told me that it was probably the synthetic T shots causing this, and I should taper down and get off them. My internal doctor agreed. He cut me to 80 mg every two weeks for 2 times, and then down to 60 mg every two weeks for two times, etc. During the week of April 20, I had a bad week of mood swings and anxiety. The endocronologist said to go to 80 mg every 10 days or so for about a month to level off the symptoms and then start to cut down. I did this and am now at 50 mg every 10 days, but I still get days of anxiety and mood swings, and occasional insomnia. (I also have days and parts of days that are good. It comes and goes.). I know all of these symptoms are typical of TRT withdrawal. My question is how long does it take to eliminate these symptoms. I was told it could take up to 2 months. But 2 months from when? I was really hoping i would start to feel better consistently. Also, I was hoping I could tolerate at least some TRT replacement. Do some people get anxiety and mood swings from TRT in general as I did? Is this a recognized side effect of TRT?

I did have 3 episodes of severe depression at ages 22, 27 and 37. These lasted 6 months apiece with 24/7 severe depression and insomnia. The last time, i was put on Celexa and welbutrin, which i am still on. For 18 years, i have had no symptons, and have been happy and normal. (I am 55.). I was concerned at first that the depression had returned, but this is different. There are swings in mood, anxiety and insomnia. Sometimes days at a time, and sometimes during the same day. (I will feel anxiety in the am, which will disappear later in the day.) In addition, this only started when my T level got to 1,500. Are my withdrawal symptoms worse because of my history. I assume this doesnt mean I will fall back into the 6 month depression, especially given that I am 7 weeks into the tapering. My episodes of anxiety and mood swings are still here, but getting less severe. As to your question, my normal T level is anywhere from 200-300. Also, i took my 50 mg shot this morning, and have anxiety today (worse than last few days). Is this to be expected? Also, have you had patients on TRT that get anxiety and mood swings such that they needed to stop treatment like I did?