22 y/o, very low test

[booku]

A little info first:

Male, age 22, 5'10.5", 180 lbs, 11-12% bf. Train 5 days a week, working each body part once a week, cardio once a week, diet currently is 2300 cal, 72 fat, 188 carb, 225 protein, trying to drop a little fat. alc0hol maybe once/twice a month, no druggs, no smoking, chronic caffeine use roughly 400-700 mg caffeine daily.

So, I got sick with community acquired pneumonia in July of 2011. Recovered from that fine, but in late Dec 2011 came down with mono. The mono was pretty rough for me, was severely fatigued, and severe sore throat. I was eventually hospitalized for a peritonsillar abscess (infection around tonsils). Had to have it drained with a needle. In the hospital was given decadr0n, m0rphine. later took prednis0ne, oxycod0ne, ibupr0fen for a week or so after the hospital. Started training again in late January 2012 and was still pretty miserable. Feb-June was alright, still tired all the time, but was able to keep training. Got back from being abroad in June of 2012 and decided to get an appointment in mid July 2012 to see if I could find out what was wrong. Ordered blood tests, and total test came back at 220 ng/dL with all other blood results normal (will post this blood work as soon as I can). Doc referred me to an endo who retested my blood, with a more extensive panel of tests. Total test came back at 70 ng/dL and FH and LSH were abnormally low too (will post these asap as well when i receive them). So the endo ordered me an MRI of pituitary and this came back completely normal.

So, I feel like my next step is to consult a urologist to rule out all testicular pathologies. I feel like the endo doing a 2 second testicular exam with me laying down was not sufficient to rule out all testicular problems. If testes are all normal, then I am pretty much at a loss for the cause of this, and would move towards TRT. Just wanted to share my experience, and document it and seek some help and make sure I am taking the necessary steps to get my health back. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[thesuperman]

I'm 23, turning 24 and have had a similar problem. I don't know the conversion but my levels came in at 9.99 nmol/L for testosterone , which is considered low. In contrast, my cortisol was very high. Do you know what your cortisol levels were like? In 2011, I had a case of Mono. In January 2012, I suffered pneumonia; I couldn't do anything for 3 weeks. I have recovered since, with the exception of a sore throat every morning and swelling near the tonsil area. I will be consulting a neurologist. The doctor suggested TRT but would like to run more tests. What I have done in the time being to help is increase my zinc and vitamin D intake. I have also cut down to one cup of coffee and am trying to sleep more. Keep me posted on your progress; Best of luck.

[bass]

Booku, post your entire BW with ranges.

[booku]

Getting an appointment with a urologist at the moment.

For everyone's reference here was the initial blood work.







Still waiting on the more extensive second round of blood tests to come in the mail, which had a test level of 70. Stay tuned will post those ASAP, looking forward to optimizing treatment if testicles check out okay.

[booku]

Assuming the testicles check out okay,

I am thinking of an initial plan of:
IM testosterone cypionate 100 mg/week, with two 50 mg injections/week spaced 84 hours apart.
hCG , 200 IU three times per week.

My question is what is the optimal timing for the hCG?

Say I take the testosterone Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, when would I take the hCG?
Also, is 600 IU of hCG per week a proper amount to start with?

[booku]

Here is the summary of the blood work (11/09/2012) (Image is getting moderator approved)

Vitamin D: 49.9 (30-100 ng/mL)
Folate: 13.1 (>3.0 ng/mL)
Vitamin B12: 1038 (211-946 pg/mL)
Free T4: 1.20 (0.82-1.77 ng/dL)
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab: 8 (0-34 IU/mL)
Antithyroglobulin Ab: <20 (0-40 IU/mL)
IGF-1: 203 (ng/mL)
Prolactin: 3.4 (4.0-15.2 ng/mL)
Testosterone , Serum: 70 (348-1197 ng/dL)
Free Testosterone: 1.7 (9.3-26.5 pg/mL)
TSH: 1.970 (0.450-4.500 uIU/mL)
LH: 1.5 (1.7-8.6 mIU/mL)
FSH: 2.5 (1.5-12.4 mIU/mL)

[OnTheSauce]

our doctor should be able to help you with all this and prescribing an amount to get your levels right.

[steroid.com 1]

Read the sticky at the top of the forum on HCG .

[booku]

Read the sticky at the top of the forum on HCG.

So based on my blood work and the sticky, would you recommend I go on test cyp (i think i might go sub-Q with the more research I have done) at 100 mg/week, with two injections a week, and go hCG right away at 250 IU (mon, wed, fri)?

Another question I have is if i inject test on sunday morning and wednesday evening, that would cause two injections on wednesday with the hCG. Would injecting hCG be more optimal on a Tues, Thurs, Saturday plan?

[steroid.com 1]

It's fine to inject Test and HCG on the same day...I do it all the time.

[booku]

So the urologist appointment went well, the testicles checked out okay.

So basically I convinced the endocrinologist to let me self inject the testosterone (she gave me enanthate ), but she wouldn't prescribe the hCG , b/c basically she knows nothing about it. So I think I am going to start injecting testosterone twice weekly subcutaneously, but still definitely want to acquire the hCG. What would be my best way of doing this? overseas without a script? go to dr. shippen or someone in the mid atlantic region who specializes in TRT?

And also, am I doing damage by just doing test only, and if so how long can I get away with it?

[steroid.com 1]

There are a number of good research sites that sell HCG . Unfortunately, not our aar sponsor.

You can try Peptide Warehouse they got an excellent reputation.

Read the sticky on HCG so you know what you are doing when you place your order.

As soon as you start your exogenous testosterone you will induce HPTA suppression and this begins the process of testicular atrophy. When will you feel it and see it happen...know one really knows as we're all different.

Seem like younger guys can go longer before they start seeing the symptoms were older guys can see the effect sooner...some think it has to do with the amount of active receptors on the leydig cells.

[booku]

I got 25 gauge 5/8" needles. What are the best places to injection/a correct injection site rotation plan?

[steroid.com 1]

I got 25 gauge 5/8" needles. What are the best places to injection/a correct injection site rotation plan?

Read the sticky on HCG ...man, I write that a lot around here

[booku]

Did my first injection this morning, SQ 50 mg, was painless, had no issues.

I was also wondering why my endo never discussed any follow up blood work for me? She basically gave me the test script, told her I would inject, and sent me on my way, and said don't abuse it, that was kind of weird to me.

Will be trying to find a hypogonadism doctor in my area next week, and hopefully we can set up blood work through that doctor, b/c I really would rather not pay for the blood work myself out of pocket online.

Also, If anyone knows of any TRT docs in VA, I would be very grateful if you could send me a PM.

[booku]

my second injection went well. after i pulled the needle out, had a tiny red dot on the skin that's it.

my only question is when i press on the plunger after pulling the needle out, there is one drop of test that drips down the needle. I know one drop is not much at all but was wondering if there is anything you can do to prevent this other than making sure the plunger is pressed in fully upon injection

[steroid.com 1]

my second injection went well. after i pulled the needle out, had a tiny red dot on the skin that's it.

my only question is when i press on the plunger after pulling the needle out, there is one drop of test that drips down the needle. I know one drop is not much at all but was wondering if there is anything you can do to prevent this other than making sure the plunger is pressed in fully upon injection

You're actually worrying about one drop?

Leave the needle in for 20 seconds after the injection that will help coagulate the blood vessels and make sure everything gets in...down to the last drop

[booku]

In my situation would you recommend I supplement with micronized DHEA and pregnenolone? Or should I wait until I receive my first blood work results and then start adding in what is necessary? And after starting TRT, blood work should be done after 6 weeks, correct?

[booku]

bump for the DHEA and pregnenolone question.

[FRDave]

bump for the DHEA and pregnenolone question.

You will most likely be low on both but I would supplement based on labs results, thus, wait.

Dave

[booku]

So I injected into the Left side of my abdomen with a 26 gauge 3/8" needle on Saturday morning. This morning, Monday morning, I notice a small knot under the skin at the injection site. Does this happen sometimes/is normal? Will it dissipate eventually? How long should I avoid injecting that area.

I think I might have caused it because the monoject syringe is terrible compared to BD. The BD syringe is so smooth when pressing the plunger in, whereas the monoject syringe almost "sticks" until enough force is applied, so the plunger jumps down initially instead of a smooth slow plunger movement. I also noticed that the BD tuberculin 25-5/8 is sharper than the monoject 26-3/8 IMO.

I really want to use the 3/8 needle, so next injection I think I might draw with the 25-5/8 and shoot with a fresh 26-3/8 needle, that way I have a fresh needle and the BD smooth syringe.

Thoughts?

[AnabolicDoc]

Local irritation is very common with subcutaneous testosterone injections. It's generally dose dependent, so some ppl split their dose into two injections - one on each side of the abdomen.

You can also use a large gauge insulin syringe w/ needle (28 gauge or bigger, 29 will work but it will take forever). A tuberculin syringe, like you've been using, should also work well. A 3/8 inch needle might not be long enough, unless you're very thin with very little lower belly fat.

[FRDave]

That's funny cause I found the BD syringe to stick where as the monojet was smooth for me... Anyway, I personally inject HCG in the abdomen and test in the glutes, both subQ using a 26g 3/8" syringe with no issues. Try the glutes for the test, won't feel a thing and no sting at all.

Dave

[booku]

That's funny cause I found the BD syringe to stick where as the monoject was smooth for me... Anyway, I personally inject HCG in the abdomen and test in the glutes, both subQ using a 26g 3/8" syringe with no issues. Try the glutes for the test, won't feel a thing and no sting at all.

Dave

could you walk me through how you exactly inject the glutes sub-q?

update, 1/23/13, a little over 3 weeks in to TRT: noticed a burning/sore sensation on/around left nipple. Completely normal correct? Body responding to changing hormone levels?

[booku]

could you walk me through how you exactly inject the glutes sub-q?

update, 1/23/13, a little over 3 weeks in to TRT: noticed a burning/sore sensation on/around left nipple. Completely normal correct? Body responding to changing hormone levels?

update: 1/30/13, the semen analysis was normal. Went to go get my script filled for the first time, and got the 5 ml vial, but had to pay full price. The pharmacist told me I was like 30 days early, but I told him that you want a fresh vial every 30 days for sterile purposes and that's why the script said 5 refills. He then went and called the manufacturer of the testosterone enanthate , and he said that yes, I was indeed correct, and this is a good practice. He said this is a new recommendation from the FDA. So long story short, he is gonna change the script to a 30 day supply instead of 60 day and said that I could do this and just pay full price each month ($80).