Low Test levels, going to start test injections soon. Advice?

[blownbus]

Been to a few clinics and determined that my test levels were way low and they suggested therapy but it it very expensive.
I found an alternative source for the test and I'm going to pursue that. I'm 33 215 lbs had cancer 2x and I'm ready to get back to where I should be. Test level was 320.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as to what test to use, what dosages and any other things that I may need to supplement. How long of a cycle should I be on?

[kelkel]

Do you know what the cause of your low T is? Odds are it's not idiopathic at your age.

And welcome to the forum.

[blownbus]

I had testicular cancer twice, with high dose chemo and stem cell transplant. They removed the right testicle so I'm assuming that's what it is. Sorry I forgot to add that.

[kelkel]

Ok. I asked as so many come here ready to jump on Test without even trying to locate and fix the underlying issue. That said, have you been to a regular doctor for treatment? Someone who will monitor you and keep you healthy on this journey? There's much more to this than simply adding test. Clinics often times put guys on far more than they need based on a lack of knowledge by the patient. It's about money.

If a local doctor is not in the cards for you for whatever reason then I'd consider LowTestosterone.com - $199 All-Included Testosterone Treatment. All inclusive treatment. They are nationwide and I believe will fly you to them if there's no site relatively close to you.

Dosing needs to be determined by blood work, not guesswork. And this is not a cycle, it's long term therapy. If you have low T for a justifiable reason then treat it properly. If you chose to stop treatment you would simply return to the same low levels as before.

Take some time and read the sticky threads and regular threads as well. Interact with the members and enhance your knowledge as it will help you greatly.

This is from one of the doctors from Low Testosterone earlier today. Relevant to you:

"The majority of low testosterone patients are secondary, not primary, which means low LH and FSH production are what's most common.

The most common reasons of low testosterone other than age:

1. Prior anabolic steroid use
2. Prior or existing rec drug use
3. Prior or existing pain med use
4. Prior or existing antidepressant use
5. Prior or existing statin or BP med use
6. Heavy and long term exposure to corticosteroids
7. Heavy/excessive alcohol consumption
8. Long terms consumption of petrochemicals
9. Long term use of prescription sleep meds
10. Poor/unhealthy lifestyle - lack of sleep, bad diet, infrequent eating, bad food choices, sedentary, etc.

Any of these things can cause a drop in testosterone, 1-9 severely reducing the production of LH and FSH. When you say yes to any two of those you're going to be in bad shape but often it only takes one, especially 1-4.

And of course there are young (under 30) guys with genetic conditions that we all hear about but that's a different story. However, some of them fall in the same categories as over 30 due to the above list. In all cases as this, there isn't some marker that we can look at like a tumor and say "that's what's causing your low testosterone without a doubt." But we do know those items have that affect and that treatment corrects it (as long as you're on treatment. Which begs another point, the old phrase "treatment is for life" implying you cannot stop. This is a bad phrase and simply isn't true. If you start TRT it should be because you need it. If you need it and stop, your natural production will start back up again but it will only take you to where you were before. You'll still have low levels but there isn't anything beyond that that happens should you have to stop."


Good luck with what you choose.

[lovbyts]

Well with a little more study you will soon learn that using test is just the tip of the iceberg. You are best to go with a clinic such as LowTestosterone. You really dont want to try to self medicate. You need multiple blood test not only to find out your test levels but also all your other hormone levels such as Total test, free test, Estrogen and Estrodil as wall as many others and to monitor your levels every 3 months or so for at least 1yr to get everything inline.

It's likey you will need an AI to help if keep your E2 where it should be as well as HCG to maintain gonad function and fertility. Trying to do all this yourself can easily be overwhelming and a lot more expensive than you think. Using a clinic is your best choice.

[blownbus]

Well with a little more study you will soon learn that using test is just the tip of the iceberg. You are best to go with a clinic such as LowTestosterone. You really dont want to try to self medicate. You need multiple blood test not only to find out your test levels but also all your other hormone levels such as Total test, free test, Estrogen and Estrodil as wall as many others and to monitor your levels every 3 months or so for at least 1yr to get everything inline.

It's likey you will need an AI to help if keep your E2 where it should be as well as HCG to maintain gonad function and fertility. Trying to do all this yourself can easily be overwhelming and a lot more expensive than you think. Using a clinic is your best choice.

Sorry I'm posting from my phone so it s hard to include everything, I have been to my primary and an endocrinologist and neither were much help, they both stated my test levels were in the normal range and they said they wouldn't recommend any treatment, I went to a local advanced health clinic and they said the complete opposite and said I should be treated righy away. I talked with a company out of Florida online and sent in my labs and they also said that I should be treated for low testosterone. I have insurance and I will certainly be checking my levels and I will probably get together with a clinic soon to help with this.

Thanks for posting those links I will go over them when I get home.

I'm just trying to determine what a starter dose is and what is safe, what to expect, things to look out for. I can post up what the clinic suggested too.

[lovbyts]

Good to hear. Check with LowTestosterone.com and see if they have a clinic near you. I have checked with them and also with another local mens clinic and both cost almost exactly the same per month but they dont take insurance and my current Endo does but he is pretty clueless as you have found out most are but I have everything else handled for now but will switch eventually.

LowTestosterone.com - $199 All-Included Testosterone Treatment