Going on TRT at 31? Here's my lab results

I took propecia 4 years ago and ever since the libido went from a 10 to a 2 overnight. My endocrinologist says propecia can permanently damage a few percentage of guys even though he says my levels are in normal ranges, and to "maybe it will get better with time". He won't help me out, so I gotta self medicate.
I'd love to take safe, low, long term dosage long term to restore sexual function.
thanks guys,

6'2" 210, athletic 10% bodyfat
FSH- 2.3
LH- 2.4
*Testosterone- 454
*Free T-12.0
SHBG-20.7
E2- 52
Prol 7.8
TSH 0.99
T4 7.6
Free T4- 1.47
Ht/Hg 48.2

You need to provide lab ranges......

Welcome to the forum Mike. Ranges would be good to post (you can edit your post and add them) but if they are normal lab ranges then yes, they do seem to be lower end of the scale for lh/fsh which in turn will result in a lower T production. Do you have older BW to compare the current results to? It would be nice to see if there's a slow pattern of reduced lh/fsh values. Continued declination would indicate a possible pituitary issue making an MRI a good choice to rule out microadenomas.

Propecia is well known to have an effect on DHT, which is pretty much everywhere in the body with the exception of skeletal muscle (well, a minute amount gets in there.) T will turn into DHT everywhere else via the 5 Alpha Reductase Enzyme. There is a high concentration of 5AR in the scalp! Below are some possible sides from Propecia:


"Men ingesting Propecia are at risk of experiencing a number of serious side effects including allergic reactions; hives; or swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or face. Less severe symptoms may be:

o Light-headedness or weakness
o Headaches
o Runny nose
o Testicular pain
o Declined sex drive, impotence, difficulty ejaculating, or irregular ejaculation
o Tenderness or swelling in the breasts
o Skin rash


Before you start TRT, which is for life, examine all options available. There may be some alternative routes to take prior to TRT which may help. Others will chime in with great answers!

Again, welcome. Take some time and study the stickies and the top of this forum. Valuable info there.

thanks very much, for your advice. I'm amazed at the knowledge of members like yourself. I did not receive ranges, but some previous tests from 2008.
Should I try a 100mg weekly oral dose of test for a month and see its effects?

2008 2012
Test 501 ----> Test 454
TSH 0.28 ----> TSH 0.99
T4- 6.7 ----> T4- 7.6
Ht/Hg 49.0 ----> Ht/Hg 48.2

i agree with Kel. for me i think your test level is low but not in the tank, you maybe able to rebound by simply doing hCG therapy! its worth a shot!

I like Kelk's idea with the MRI as well. At 31, better safe than sorry, then you can fully move forward when it comes back negative. IMO, your testicles look to be producing a fair amount of endogenous production compared to the semi low LH numbers generated from the feedback loop. Maybe a SERM like Clomid could be one option just to see if the HPTA has any chance fire up, and possibly sustain producing higher levels of LH & FSH to promote even more natural production. If not, the other options are available.

On another note that didn't get addressed yet, your E2 (if based on a sensitive assay) is pushing the envelope at 52. Some of your sexual function concerns could be attributed to this being a bit elevated. A little AI goes a long way, and dropping even 20 points in that department would probably make a nice difference on your libido. Plenty of information on this forum and in the stickies regarding this topic.

Vette I had a similar thought with Nolva for him to raise those values.
X2 on lowering his E2. Op use caution if you use an AI. Start low and work up if needed. Most doc's are not up on dosing AI's.

If he can lower his E2 his natural Total and Bio will increase as a result as well.

I think your LH/FSH levels are right on the edge which makes deciding on a reasonable approach a little difficult. You could try to re-stimulate your HPTA system with clomid or nolva first, but since it's been quite some time after your propecia episode that may not be successful. Otherwise, then you could just try HCG which should stimulate test production.

In any event, I would strongly recommend doing either one without some professional guidance.