I am older than you, but I have some good info about testosterone to counter the myths. Sorry for the length of the post, but this is not a simple area.

First, I am 56 and have been on hormone replacement theraphy (HRT) for 4 years, although the first two years were useless (details below). Through my own research and an excellent doctor, I have learned a lot about testosterone.

First, what are the symptoms of low testosterone (low-T)? Here is the list as far as I know -- not everyone experiences all the symptoms:

- Reduced sex drive
- Lethargy
- Reduced muscle mass
- Fat gathering around your mid-section
- Depression

In my case I has a real lack of energy, a twinge of depression (I have ALWAYS be a super positive, happy person, so that was plain weird), reduced muscle mass (I have naturally always had large muscles, so this was also unusual for me) and -- like most men my age -- fast around the mid-section. Oddly, I didn't have the lack of sex drive.

So ... I was tested 4 years ago (when I was 52) and my total T was 210. The doctor I was going to was out of date on his understanding of HRT and didn't test free T. I tried the patch for 6 months and it did nothing. After 6 months total T was 190. He injected time-release testosterone pellets into my glute (yes, it hurt a lot). 4 months later I was down to a total T level of 180.

I switched doctors to a urologist that specializes in HRT and he tested both free and total T (as well as a host of other things). This doc was very much up to speed. His prescription for me:

1. Quit drinking (I did)
2. Improve my diet (I did)
3. Start exercising (I did -- running, swimming and -- best of all -- cycling)
4. Weekly injections of testosterone

By the way, if your doc prescribes testosterone, but doesn't address diet and lifestyle, find a new doc. Testosterone by itself doesn't do a lot. What it really is good for is unlocking the potential benefits that come when you make those lifestyle changes.

How did it go? Overall, really well, albeit with one side-effect. He raised my total T to 800 and my free T to 25 -- high normal is 1200 and 30 respectively for a rangy 19 year old. My levels are as high as you would reasonably want to go.

Pros
1. A ton more energy
2. Increased muscle mass
3. Fat didn't decrease from the T (it did after a while from the diet changes), but it immediately redistributed so it wasn't all in my belly
4. Generally feeling of well-being

Cons
1. Hair loss -- when you go on T it is a common side effect to accelerate any male-pattern balding issues you may have

Here are the lessons I have learned:

1. Both total and free testosterone are important, but as I understand it, the number that really matters is free testosterone. Yours is at the low end of what has historically been considered 'normal (9 to 30 ng/dL). So, normal? Yes, technically, but probably lower than an average 43 YO.

2. If you are serious about learning about testosterone and your options you need to see a doctor that is current on the research. For example, for years the fear was that hormone replacement therapy for men ran the risk of causing prostate cancer. They did a series of very well-designed studies (Harvard, IIRC) and found that is absolutely not the case, and it is possible that it may even inhibit prostate cancer. One hypothesis is that the incidence of prostate cancer increases with age, while natural T levels decrease. It may be that low-T actually increases your risk of prostate C. The data were inconclusive on this point and further studies are needed.

3. The best, most effective way to increase T levels is a weekly shot. The gels and pellets are often ineffective, but the shots work perfectly and allow you to titrate the T level you and your doctor feel is best with great accuracy.

4. I have never heard from anyone who found that supplements or dietary changes actually increased their T levels. I belong to a two golf country clubs and problem 50% of the male members are low T. If a supplement did the trick I think at least one of these old geezers would have told me! I realize I am probably stepping on toes by saying that, but in the spirit of being helpful, and since you did ask, that's my opinion.

You also asked about recovery time -- I don't know how to measure that so I cannot comment. But, I lift three to four times a week and I have better size and definition than I have ever had. I go at it pretty hard (about an hour per session, isolated on one area, like back or arms or chest). I am pretty sure my recovery times must be pretty good or I couldn't do this. What is a problem, which I am more susceptible to at 56 than you would be at 43, is joint pain. Testosterone doesn't help there. And before someone mentions glucosamine, I have read the research on that and it failed in the well-run double-blinds. I just need to be more careful as I age with my joints. As an aside, I have decided that all the downsides to aging definitely outweigh the advantages of getting a senior discount at Denny's!

One more note: I have found that people either swear by or hate the concept of HRT. Most of the information out there is pretty questionable. My advice is do a google search and read the original research and also find a doctor that specializes in HRT.

Good luck. I am happy to answer any other questions you may have.