here is my story, advice and similar stories would be appreciated

[musulhed]

This is a long read guys buts its whats honestly has happened to me.

Before I start let me give you some stats. Been working out for 14 yrs. Did a cycle when I was 25 turning 26. Test 400 e/w(sometimes 300, my body reacted poorly to high dosages, constant shortness of breath an anxiety) for 14 weeks deca 300 e/w for 10 weeks with pct after.

Later in my life, when I was just turned 28 i decided to test my test levels. I was so tired all the time and I guess had some erection quality issues. Came out to 267 total test, I forgot my free test #'s but they were a little over the bottom normal level.

I asked the doc what I can do, he told me that he can prescribe me anything bc I was in the normal level but he can give me a shot 1 a month at $50 bucks a pop. In my head I laughed because one, i knew that 1x a month would give me unstable levels and 2 a bottle of some ugl gear would be $80.

So I took it upon myself to get some ugl gear and start on my own. I took 1 cc of test 250 every 7 to 10 days. I felt great and though my gains wern't massive in the gym, I had gained vascularity, and quality muscle that I never really had before. Overall mood, Joints pains relieved etc etc... I researched more and more and thought let me see a specialist/endrocolongist ( yes I misspelled that but dont care) I did just that. I explained my cycle history, and explained that I was currently on trt b/c of my lab work from the past.

He said get off completely and come back after 1 1/2 months. I told him, wont that make my levels crash, cant I take something to stabalize my hormones when I get off. He insisted no, so I listened. In my mind I though, my levels will be below normal with the crash and I would at least get some real lab test prescribed.

1 1/2 months later, I came in for new blood work. To my surprise my levels were exactly the same as before. He then continued to tell me he cant prescribe me anything. Later that month I left to New York for a couple months leaving my test behind. Im a ***** and wouldnt travel with it.

Anyway, 1st time in my life that I didnt work out for 3 months. I couldn't in new york for many reasons. my body got soft and lost a lot of muscle. By the time I came back it was march this year. Last shot I had was december last year. These past months I have forgotten about test. I do bit a piece of viagra here and there just in case out of paranoia when I am with a girl. But for the most part I just didnt think about it.

UNTIL... the last 3 months I have been feeling anxiety pains in my hands and feet. I cant focus on anything sometimes, libido is suffering, trouble sleeping and sometimes with a 1/4 piece of V I have issues with the dick. I know I know why not take a whole pill. I dont want to, its overkill and expensive. Anyway, I am beyond frustrated and I know its most likely my test levels.

So frustrated that I just want to start on my own again with out the docs giving me the run around. In fact 3 weeks ago I took a shot. I am reluctant to take another I guess b/c its UGL gear and fear its purity.

Truth is I am just upset that this is for life. I cant fathom taking shots till im 88 yrs old. I also know its not normal my levels and I do feel like its giving me some negatives sides. Am I a fool for self treating myself? I am tired of new docs that just want new blood work to tell me the same thing. The more and more I read, 268 for a young man is not normal. Is UGL gear bad long term. Its the same gear that I have taken before but also the same gear that gave me loss of breath and anxiety. I know this is long guys and I apologize. I am 29 yrs old and a decision like this ( life long) is hard to make.

[THORSZ]

It is really hard for a guy your age to get a doctor to work with you because of the liability. Once you get over 40 it is much easier. I would do some research and find a more willing doctor or pay more and go to a HRT clinic.
From what I understand, UGL is decent quality these days compared to the past, but I would want someone to monitor my blood to make sure I was on the right track.
Good luck man

[svalleyg135]

its definately possible to get an endo/urologist to work with you if your under 40. It's not about liability the doctors you saw are simply poor physicians. I am 20 years old and am on HRT because of a combination of naturally low testosterone and irresponsible steroid use for years starting at a young age, which i told my doctors about. you just need to find the rite doctor for you. I had blood tests prior to starting that were both below and barely in range. the reality is that even tho the range starts at 241, the true average is around 500-700, with 241 only working for a small portion for the population. Just letting you know dont give up on it cuz you can get the help you need.

[CHAP]

Im 28 and get TRT. You just have to find a Uroligist or Endo that understand TRT . If you truly need it they will help you . If you dont they will see though the BS and have you walkin

[XD40]

take a shot of deca and wait a week. Then go see your doc.

[starkiller]

Cant really fathom the shots for life? this may be what your in for if you dont like what your describing. There are other options you know, creams and gels. I felt the same way you did with no intentions of every realizing I would be back to the needle again after a routine check up my doc said are you interested, and here I am posting in this forum. One of the best options you have, if you truly want trt is call and make appointments with those who treat trt, ask questions and do the blood work this is important. Best to you!

[jeetyl65]

I am 28 and did gear for a little under 2 years - and now am off. Am i screwed for the rest of my life too? Having lower than normal levels? How long does one have to be doing this stuff for it to cause irreversible damage to your body in terms of levels?

[Vettester]

Like everyone is saying, there's plenty of docs out there that can get you on the right track. Don't sweat it too hard, just do some homework and stay objective about it, and I know there's plenty of places that will get you on the right track.

[Vettester]

Forgot to mention. I know your anxious to get it on track, but try to stop with the 3 week shot deal if possible. That frequency will probably contribute more to the problems than to the solutions. I know the HRT doesn't sound fun at this stage, thinking it's for life and all. Kind of strange, but maybe that outlook changes when we get older. I'm 42, and I'm giving it the old Tiger Woods fist pump knowing that this, meaning HRT, is my friend for life. I've been seeing some great gains at the gym, which didn't happen in my late 30's and the past few years. I want to be a shredded Zeus when I'm 65, and without HRT I probably don't stand a chance, even with a spot-on diet and workout ethic. I'm just trying to give you another angle to look at this thing from. But for starters, get someone who can review your entire panel and that is willing to get you on a solid program to help you meet your goals.

Good luck!

[musulhed]

Thanks for the support guys. I did blood work two days ago and I am waiting to go see the doc for results. I have not taken another shot. I did blood work 29 days after that shot of 250. Lets see where my results are and then get forwarded to a urologist. This is just a pain in the ass.

[musulhed]

still going through the rounds and have an appointment with a urologist on dec 2. Got some new lab work done and here are my results. 1st blood work only shod total test at 248.
Total test= 276 (range- 250-1100 ng/dl)
free test= 78.4 (range- 35.0-155.0 pg/ml)
testosterone free %= 2.84 h (range- 1.50-2.20%)

My normal doc told me my free% is out of range and told me that I probably wont get treated due to my free test. I really hope thats not the case. And opinions on these levels? Does it make sense that my total % is above average?

[FlyingIllini]

I am a bit surprised that you have problems with a good free test number. I don't think the total T number matters nearly as much (if at all).

[Vettester]

I am a bit surprised that you have problems with a good free test number. I don't think the total T number matters nearly as much (if at all).

Sorry to play spoiler, but I disagree. I had all sorts of typical hypogonadism issues when my total "T" went down below 300. When I switched from Gel to injections, I had crashed down to 195. It is a very depressing place to be. This is just my own personal experience, and I have read many similar posts with people emphasizing their low total "T" levels as the primary cause for seeking HRT. Have you had a situation where your total "T" was down below normal, but it didn't have any adverse affects?

[subnet]

still going through the rounds and have an appointment with a urologist on dec 2. Got some new lab work done and here are my results. 1st blood work only shod total test at 248.
Total test= 276 (range- 250-1100 ng/dl)
free test= 78.4 (range- 35.0-155.0 pg/ml)
testosterone free %= 2.84 h (range- 1.50-2.20%)

My normal doc told me my free% is out of range and told me that I probably wont get treated due to my free test. I really hope thats not the case. And opinions on these levels? Does it make sense that my total % is above average?

musulhed - no reason that the free level should keep you from getting TRT. I had low total T from my endo but very high free T and she prescribed Androgel. I just today went to an anti-aging clinic and again, with another round of bloodwork and still low T (225 out of a 241-850'ish range) but high free T and the Dr. prescribed gel, then will follow-up with a better cocktail in a month.

When I was looking at my numbers, I realized I was in the 5th or so percentile, meaning that 95% of everyone is higher than me - I'm not sure what that matches up to in terms of having the same level as a 70 or 80 year old, but it's certainly not an appropriate level for me or you.

As my anti-aging Dr. said today, he treats the symptoms and not just purely based on numbers. He wants me to be 600-700 or there-abouts (I'm 40 in 2 weeks) as an optimal range, but it all depends on how I feel. If I were you, I'd find another Dr. who will not just look at the numbers but try to make you feel better.

my 2 cents! Good luck!!