May need TRT at 25 please read

[yeahbuddy289]

For a very long time now (probably since 17-18 y/o) I have not had a high energy level or a very high sex drive and actually have failed to get erections on some occasions. Making gains in the gym also came very hard to me. So fast forward to me now at 25... I cant stand the tiredness and low sex drive and the difficult gains in the gym anymore so I finally make an appointment to talk to a doctor. Two weeks ago he did a blood test and today I went over the results with him. Everything looked normal but my total test was low at 284ng/dl. The blood test was taken in the afternoon so on Thursday I am going in the morning to retest. I am very glad they found something... however, im a little nervous... I dont know if TRT for the rest of my life will be a good thing. Here are some of my concerns/ questions- I really want to have kids and I worry I wont be able to on trt is this a possibility? Will they most likely try to restart my system to get it working on its own or is TRT usually they way they go? Do you guys think my levels will really be that much higher in the morning? And regardless of the time of day dont you guys think that 284ng/dl is too low for a 25 year old who is otherwise healthy?

[MuscleInk]

It would be good to get a full proper panel of all hormone levels (free and unbound test, LH, FSH, SHBG, E2, etc). TRT is but one of a couple options. Some docs may try to "restart" your HTPA, but most methods have poor outcomes leaving TRT as the more viable option in the majority of cases. It would also be ideal to rule out secondary causes and to be sure there isn't any pathological component contributing to the low hormone values.

With respect to fertility, there are many posts on here you could search and find about anabolics and pregnancy. Taking an exogenous steroid will impact your sperm motility and count overtime, however, there are many cases of men being on TRT or cycling even larger doses of anabolics and getting their wife or gf pregnant and there are other ways to enhance the probability of inception occurring so I wouldn't count yourself out of the race entirely.

[kelkel]

A good BW example is in the Finding A Doc Sticky at the top of this forum. Like MI said above, always rule out potential causes first. It would suck to go on TRT when the causative factor was fixable. Especially at your age.

Update this thread with your course of action please! We all learn from each other here.

[yeahbuddy289]

Thanks for the responses guys... Im curious to know what the pathological or other things that would cause low testosterone are? If I can remember correctly he said my free test. was in range. I will get a copy of everything that was tested and also get a copy of the blood work I will be getting Thursday.

[buttslinger]

... Im curious to know what the pathological or other things that would cause low testosterone are?

I'm curious to know what your other 580 posts were about!!! I think if you were messing around with steroids or something on your own, either intentionally or by accident that could result in a need for a test prescription. (?)

[sparverius]

Thanks for the responses guys... Im curious to know what the pathological or other things that would cause low testosterone are?

Pituitary tumor or damage. That would make you secondary hypogonadal- your LH and FSH hormones, which tell your testicals to make testosterone, would be low. The damage can come from blows to the head- the pituitary is sensitive.
Testicals not producing testosterone. That's primary hypogonadal. You have enough LH and FSH but your nads aren't working. Tumors, various physical damage can cause the testicals to go on strike.

Being overweight, stressed, and having a poor diet can cause low T. So can hair loss drugs and opiates.

Some doctors will tell you that you can go on TRT for a while to kick start hormone production. That's bogus though there are other therapies that can do that. But if there is a medical reason why you're low that won't fix it. It's best to find our why you are low. It may be something that can be fixed. That'd be better than a lifetime of gels or needles.

[yeahbuddy289]

Thank you for the info... He will be testing my LH and FSH tomorrow.. so if they are low I have secondary hypogonadal? Assuming I have no tumors or anything of that nature is this easier to correct?

[The Deadlifting Dog]

How long ago was your last PCT?
What was your your last cycle and PCT?

[kelkel]

Look in the Finding A Doc sticky at the top of this forum. Good example of BW is there. Get it.

[yeahbuddy289]

Last cycle was last summer... Pct ended last day of August. I ran test e. 500mg for ten weeks a-dex .35mg mwf. Pct was Clomid 100/100/50/50 novladex 40/40/20/20/20/20. I do not believe this was caused by steroid use as I have had all of these symptoms going as far back as I can remember.

[yeahbuddy289]

Kel- this is my general care doc. He is just going to test me again in the morning for the basics like free test total test LH and FSH if it comes back low he said he will refer me to an endo as he admitted to me he's not too familiar with hormone replacement.

[kelkel]

Ok. If you have a choice in doc's start researching in your area. You're also better off with a Urologist rather than an endo, imho.

[yeahbuddy289]

Thank you Kel... I'm off to get my blood work done. I will try to get a copy of it and post it in this thread.

[yeahbuddy289]

So I have access to my original blood work on line that I would like to post up but its in PDF form and I cant figure out how to edit out all my personal info... anyone have any tips?

[Chauffeur]

So I have access to my original blood work on line that I would like to post up but its in PDF form and I cant figure out how to edit out all my personal info... anyone have any tips?

Scroll down a bit so your information isn't visible and then take a screenshot of the PDF. Then just upload that image here.

[yeahbuddy289]

Well I just tried that but I can't view the pdf file on my phone for some reason... Dammit

[yeahbuddy289]

So im still waiting for my blood results from my morning blood draw... but I figured I would post the results of my initial blood work that was done in the afternoon (around 3pm)

Testosterone Total Adult Male 284 ng/dL
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 21.2 nmol/L
Testosterone Free Adult Male 63 pg/mL
Testosterone Percent Free 2.2 %

I have a couple questions on this

- these numbers really should be unacceptable at my age regardless of the time of day right?
- and will me being at the upper range of the scale really make a noticeable difference in my sex drive, mood, and muscle growth?
- If my levels come back in range on my A.M. blood work what should I do? Should I still pursue a referral to a urologist?

[kelkel]

Yes.
Yes.
They should rise a bit but not enough to be acceptable. It's still "how you feel." You are not a number. And if a doc treats you as such find another.

[yeahbuddy289]

Thanks Kel... I should have my other blood work back tomorrow which will also include LH and FSH and possibly some others. I will post it as soon as I get it.

[yeahbuddy289]

So here is my A.M. blood work... LH and FSH look ok so does this mean I am just unable to make testosterone

Testosterone Total Adult Male 301
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 20.1
Testosterone Free Adult Male 71
Testosterone Percent Free 2.3
FSH 2.7
LH 4.8
Prolactin 12.1

[yeahbuddy289]

It seems like my prolactin is pretty high... Could that be my issue? Unfortunately I have to wait until September 4th to meet with my doctor.

[yeahbuddy289]

bump

[lovbyts]

It seems like my prolactin is pretty high... Could that be my issue? Unfortunately I have to wait until September 4th to meet with my doctor.

Yes it will definitely make you lethargic and effect sex drive.

[yeahbuddy289]

You think the first thing they might do is try to lower that? Theoretically if that was lowered my test. would also increase correct?