TRT candidate?

[xero]

Had my bloods done recently. Have not cycled for 2 years.

Stats:
Age: 45
Weight: 215
Height: 6.1
BF: 15%


Total Test: 8.3 nmol/l
Free Test: 215 pmol/l
SHBG: 18 ng/ml

These figures seem to me to be on the low side.

I feel like I have the common negative symptoms of low test. You think these figures justify TRT?

Thx.

[durak]

absolutely

[whiteowl]

Copy on Durak. think my endo said 400-1200 was "normal" range for free test. Some of the vets like JPK should weigh in on the total test but i think it is low as well.

[lovbyts]

Yup. Find a endocrinologist if you dont already have one. MUCH better than the normal doc in a box.

You will enjoy the HRT Time to get your life back. Even if you didnt realize you where missing anything you will.

[marineone888]

Sounds like you are a candidate to me. I have been having these symptoms for so long. I am really excited to start taking this and hopefully start feeling good again!!

[xero]

Thx for the responses. Will go see an endo. I just find it odd that my GP is not interested in even discussing. treatment.

[marineone888]

Thx for the responses. Will go see an endo. I just find it odd that my GP is not interested in even discussing. treatment.

What did your GP say? He won't prescribe you anything? Does he think levels are low?

[Vettester]

Thx for the responses. Will go see an endo. I just find it odd that my GP is not interested in even discussing. treatment.

Actually, it's not odd at all these days with these GPs. This is just a very weak area in their practice. They're more tuned in with the pain and ant-depressant management part, along with treating virus related symptoms. Hypogonadism is starting to get more notoriety, and I even saw a commercial on Fox News the other night about low "T". So, the basic GP is starting to come around a little more, but the AndroGel group is doing a better sell job to these docs as the treatment of choice.

Here's the link to the commercial I saw the other night:http://www.isitlowt.com
Maybe it's just me, but IMO it clearly seems to favor the Gel, and it gives a not so good lasting impression of injections. Plus it says injections are done every 7 to 21 days ... So, next time a doc offers to do a shot every 3 weeks, it's because they get their information from someone too ... Maybe affiliations like this place.

[xero]

What did your GP say? He won't prescribe you anything? Does he think levels are low?

I asked him if in his opinion he did not see them as being too low and whether further investigation or treatment was necessary - particularly considering the symptoms I have as well.

He made it clear that these levels were not an issue to him and that he did not want to discuss further.

I found it very odd how blunt he was, very intolerant of my questioning. I would expect a doctor to at lest discuss the issue and address my concerns in a more open and engaging way.

Anyhow...seems I will need to find another doc to discuss this with as it appears my levels are significantly lower than an 85 year old male. Take a look at the following study published by the European Journal of Endocrinology. The graphs give an interesting perspective on the issue:

http://www.eje-online.org/cgi/content/full/156/5/585

[pittbulldad]

alot of docs are very anti-HRT for men for many different reasons.. there are plenty of docs out there that will prescribe..

my own doc will prescribe just about anything but if you ask him for phentermine he reacts the same way your doc did about HRT...

[Vettester]

I asked him if in his opinion he did not see them as being too low and whether further investigation or treatment was necessary - particularly considering the symptoms I have as well.

He made it clear that these levels were not an issue to him and that he did not want to discuss further.

I found it very odd how blunt he was, very intolerant of my questioning. I would expect a doctor to at lest discuss the issue and address my concerns in a more open and engaging way.

Anyhow...seems I will need to find another doc to discuss this with as it appears my levels are significantly lower than an 85 year old male. Take a look at the following study published by the European Journal of Endocrinology. The graphs give an interesting perspective on the issue:

http://www.eje-online.org/cgi/content/full/156/5/585

That's why I try to forewarn a lot of new guys to the forum about just having that heart-to-heart with their doc. A lot of people think that most of these docs will be impressed that you're doing your homework, and impressed with the fact that you want to create a dialogue about what's best for you ... Wrong! There are probably plenty of them that do, but there's a whole hive of them that don't want anything to do with it. My Endo at Kaiser fired me, yes literally threw me back to my GP when I sent him an article just like the one you attached to your post. I called him out on his BS! These types are heavily driven by their ego, and they can't seem to separate optimal HRT from steroid use, abuse, and/or roid rage. When the doc takes that position with you, look him in the eye and tell him you're done with his ignorance. They feel as if they're ordained with this pontification mentality, when in fact they can be hired and fired just the same.

[xero]

That's why I try to forewarn a lot of new guys to the forum about just having that heart-to-heart with their doc. A lot of people think that most of these docs will be impressed that you're doing your homework, and impressed with the fact that you want to create a dialogue about what's best for you ... Wrong! There are probably plenty of them that do, but there's a whole hive of them that don't want anything to do with it. My Endo at Kaiser fired me, yes literally threw me back to my GP when I sent him an article just like the one you attached to your post. I called him out on his BS! These types are heavily driven by their ego, and they can't seem to separate optimal HRT from steroid use, abuse, and/or roid rage. When the doc takes that position with you, look him in the eye and tell him you're done with his ignorance. They feel as if they're ordained with this pontification mentality, when in fact they can be hired and fired just the same.

I hear you.

The funny thing to me was that I did not even bring up TRT or any treatment options. We were going through my blood work results in sequence and when we got to my test levels, I just wanted to get his opinion if they were ok. He just shut the topic down so quickly.

I am wondering if my (fast dwindling) above average musculature has led him to conclude that i must be cycling and that I am just looking for a legal Test supply (which, to be fair to him, is not too far from the truth - although I have not cycled in over two years and I did not expect such low test results).

[lovbyts]

did you ever do a proper PCT 2 years ago?

[xero]

did you ever do a proper PCT 2 years ago?

Yes...have run 9 cycles in the past always with clomid and nolva post cycle. Have had blood work done a number of times around 3-4 months after PCT and always been normal.

So this latest blood work showing very low test levels, after not having cycled at all for two years, was a bit of a surprise.

The doc had the blood work done because I went to see him about feeling really weak & tired for about a year now...and I seem to be losing muscle mass.

[lovbyts]

Well you are at that age. Forget the doctor, get an endo. I complained to my doc for YEARS about no/low energy and such. He ignored it. Once I learned about HRT/Test and educated myself I found a doctor just for that and left him out of the picture since he obviously is not educated in that specific field.

[xero]

My wife had an appointment with the family doc today and after listening to me bitching about the docs response all weekend, she took him on about his attitude towards TRT and told him she is not leaving his office without a plan from him to treat...

Long story short...I get home from work today and she hands me a script for Nebido! I feel sorry for that poor doc...