I started HRT almost by accident at 38. My knees and back are hosed due to damage and arthritis so I'm on pain meds for chronic pain and using a wheelchair. Had worked out regularly before the knees went, but spent last 3 years going nowhere but downhill . Physical therapy was not working worth a damn. All pain, no gain... One day my doctor at the pain clinic remembered having a patient who'd had some better results on recovery with Androgel, so she had my T tested and I went on gel. At least it was a start, but I'd have to say:
Get as many blood tests as you can before starting HRT! Neither my regular doc or pain meds doc had much experience with HRT other than testing T and writing a prescription. When I got full testing done turned out not only was the T low, but the E was high. Spent a lot of time reading up on HRT (and reading a zillion EF posts). Now I'm working with an anti-aging clinic to get the anti-e meds, Sus injections. and var to start building muscle back rather than just treading water with the Androgel (though it is handy between cycles). Workouts kicking ass.