Cause of low testosterone

[Movingmetal]

I am 21 years old. I was diagnosed with low testosterone in January 2012, here is the blood work.

Total testosterone - 6.8 nmol/L. Normal range 8-30 nmol/L.
SHBG- 31 nmol/L. Normal range 17-66 nmol/L
FAI- 21.9%. Normal range 23.3-103%
FHS- 4.8 IU/L. Normal range 1-18
LH- 2.1 IU/L. Normal range 1-12
Prolactin- 6.9ug/L. Normal range <20

Please do not judge, but before I commit to TRT for the rest of my life, could any of the following aspects created a low testosterone?

I was on an overseas holiday for 2 weeks, where I drank every day, smoked cigarettes every day, took speed once, and took viagra once, due to not being able to get an erection for the first time in my life. I was dieting and training very hard for year previous to the trip.

Once again, please dont judge, as i do regret my decisions on the trip, but could these have destroyed my natural T production?

If so, should i try a PCT and try recover T levels before committing to life TRT?

Sorry for the sob story, but this forum is the only real help and hope I have

[xtitan1]

Hey metal. This isn't a sob story bro you just need some help figuring out why you aren't feeling well. On that note, are you experiencing any other symptoms besides the ED?

More experienced members will be jumping in but to me you definitely have low testosterone and low to low normal FSH and LH. That indicates that you perhaps have secondary hypogonadism which means your pituitary is not sending the appropriate amount of hormones into your bloodstream to stimulate your testes into producing testosterone.

Aging males may have these symptoms but at your age of only 21 there must be something else going on. I suggest you have your doctor explore why you have low testosterone before he attempts to fix it. For example a pituitary MRI with contrast to rule out tumors or scarring.

I think you are smart to be skeptical of going on TRT at such a young age without knowing the cause. And just my two cents here, I don't think you can cause low testosterone by taking Viagra once and then smoke and drink a lot for two weeks.

[bass]

^^^^ i agree with Xtitan. also i don't think two weeks of partying will crash you that bad. definitely have your doc do more testing.

[steroid.com 1]

^^^^Agree with bass; two weeks of partying wouldn't suppress serum levels that low.

You're LH levels are low...too low in fact for a guy your age.

Need a thorough blood work done; see the sticky on How to find a TRT Doc to see what you need.

Also, need to check out the health of both your Thyroid and Pituitary as well.

[Movingmetal]

I did in fact have a pituitary MRI before commencing TRT, and scans came back clear.
I will ask the doc next week about the cause of the low t.
My only thoughts were, that with libido, it's worse on trt, so I keep thinking that my levels use to be higher off it. Also I've had 2 cases of ED in the last 2 week, after being on testogel for 4 weeks.
I don't want to be on trt if I feel worse, and can't get erections on it

[xtitan1]

That makes me think you're not dialed in. Do you have any labs from at least six weeks after being on your current protocol?

[bass]

I did in fact have a pituitary MRI before commencing TRT, and scans came back clear.
I will ask the doc next week about the cause of the low t.
My only thoughts were, that with libido, it's worse on trt, so I keep thinking that my levels use to be higher off it. Also I've had 2 cases of ED in the last 2 week, after being on testogel for 4 weeks.
I don't want to be on trt if I feel worse, and can't get erections on it

okay, im a little confused here, you're on trt now? how long exactly and what is your complete protocol?

[Movingmetal]

I started trt in feb on Reandron. Then decided
To come off trt as I didn't want to rush into it. I wanted to be sure I had low t before starting trt for life. So I took 3 months off. I actually felt okay. Pretty tired, but good erections. I went back on trt after another low blood test, this time on testogel. 50mg/5g dAily. It has been the worst experience!!! Libido down to 0, Bad ED! Need to get off this ASAP! I got bloods done last week, with no feedback yet. I'm going to request to switch to injectable t with hcg. With this help the awful feeling I have and ED? Feel like shit and don't want to lose my gf

[bass]

I started trt in feb on Reandron. Then decided
To come off trt as I didn't want to rush into it. I wanted to be sure I had low t before starting trt for life. So I took 3 months off. I actually felt okay. Pretty tired, but good erections. I went back on trt after another low blood test, this time on testogel. 50mg/5g dAily. It has been the worst experience!!! Libido down to 0, Bad ED! Need to get off this ASAP! I got bloods done last week, with no feedback yet. I'm going to request to switch to injectable t with hcg. With this help the awful feeling I have and ED? Feel like shit and don't want to lose my gf

you should feel fine with proper trt protocol unless you have other medical issues. post your complete BW with ranges when you get it. shots are far better than gels.

[Movingmetal]

No other medical issues bass. Healthy. What would you consider a standard trt protocol that I can recommend to my doc becuase I think he may be skeptical about going on a test, hcg and
Ai? You guys are great thanks

[Vettester]

If I'm reading this right, you've been on TRT since Feb, then came off, then ran labs, which are displayed at the top of the page? Well, that would make sense to why your numbers are low, including a suppressed HPTA. BTW, the testosterone serum you provided would = 195 ng/dl if there's any questions on that.

It would still be puzzling to me why you were needing TRT to begin with? Do you by chance have some of the baseline labs before starting your therapy?

LOL, your holiday consisted of drinking, smoking, speed & viagara ... I can't imagine what you were doing? Next time, try some Cialis with a little Doxacard, you will be like a human jackhammer!! 21 again ... If I only could!

[bass]

No other medical issues bass. Healthy. What would you consider a standard trt protocol that I can recommend to my doc becuase I think he may be skeptical about going on a test, hcg and
Ai? You guys are great thanks

trt protocol is based on the individual and blood work. typically,

test cyp (preferably injections) 100 to 200 mgs minimum once a week, preferably split to twice a week.

AI, 0.5 mg per 100 mgs test

hCG, 750 to 1000 iu ew

vitamin D3

donate blood every two months

clean diet and excersice

[Movingmetal]

Thanks bass!
I will ask doc If I can start those doses as stated.
Much appreciated. I will repost when I know more

[bass]

geeez! sorry about the typos it was late and was using the stupid microphone on the smart phone!

[kelkel]

Agree with Bass. Only thing I would add is to start at the low end of those recommendations and adjust via BW. Meaning 100 mg T per week, HCG and with the AI the dose depends on your E2 sensitive assay. You may be lucky and not need it so don't automatically start it. BW first and if you do need the AI start at .25 x 2 per week and re-do E2 BW in 4 weeks and adjust. It takes time! I did E2 tests every month for 3 months to get straight. Be patient. Less = more in our world here.

[Movingmetal]

Okay got it, start low. Good advice thanks.
Now, I have no idea how to convince my doc of this new protocol. I do not want to go in there and be like " Everyone on a forum says i need to do this". I feel he might think I'm trying to obtain very high testosterone levels. Ive spoken to many doctors and endos, and this is the first one that understands the role of E2 and high range levels so i hope he is on board.