Questions

[JKW]

I am 52 and I had some blood work done for low testosterone and it came back 400. Dr. said it was normal. I have been having low sex drive, fatigue and all the other symptoms of low T. I tried some test cyponate at 300 mg per week and it worked wonders!!! I felt like a 20 year old again and my workouts were fantastic. I put on about 20 pounds in 6 weeks and was taking creatine monohydrate too. My problem is if I want to have low levels in my blood work, what dose should I take and when should I get checked? How long before I go off will it register low levels or will they be low if I am on Testosterone ? I am not trying to be immoral but I know low levels for some people may fall into the 200-1200 normal range but the doctor seems cut and dry if it is not below 200 then you are not low. What do you guys think?
Also I used to be a competitive bodybuilder in the 1980’s-90’s so I know what Test will do. Any advice??

[bass]

Are you looking to trick your doctor? How did you get on 300 mgs per week, was it prescribed by a doc? I'm guessing you're cycling now, right? If so your level will crash at a out 2-3 weeks after stopping the cycle. BTW Labcorp scale is 348-1197.

[APIs]

Some will treat you at 400. For some it all depends on how you feel. Find another Doc, especially if you're doing your own TRT. BTW 300 mgs a week is not TRT, it's blasting if not cycling. IMO drop the creatine, that stuff is always been overrated...

[steroid.com 1]

Agree with API, at your age my Doc would put you on a complete protocol and get you into the 900s.

There are many things that can cause your symptoms; one very common disorder is Hypothyroidism which carries many of the same symptoms as androgen levels.

Did you get all of your thyroid tested?

[MuscleInk]

Agree with API, at your age my Doc would put you on a complete protocol and get you into the 900s.

There are many things that can cause your symptoms; one very common disorder is Hypothyroidism which carries many of the same symptoms as androgen levels.

Did you get all of your thyroid tested?

900s!!!! That's awesome. Our HRT clinic doses to get guys between 600-700. Beyond 700 they dose reduce.

[Vettester]

Agree with all the above. You should be looking at all the other associated labs prior to getting on a treatment. There's a myriad of variables that a physician needs to review with you, not just a total serum panel.

A lot of your weight gain is probably water related, especially adding the creatine in the mix.

E2 is one of the main variables here that needs to be recognized. 300mgs/wk, are you aware of where you sit with your E2 at this time?

[Bio-Active]

Vett is right here and if everything comes back in order you could always look for another doc. You want to be real careful self medicating. Not a good idea unless you can run your own labs and be able to monitor them.

Agree with all the above. You should be looking at all the other associated labs prior to getting on a treatment. There's a myriad of variables that a physician needs to review with you, not just a total serum panel.

A lot of your weight gain is probably water related, especially adding the creatine in the mix.

E2 is one of the main variables here that needs to be recognized. 300mgs/wk, are you aware of where you sit with your E2 at this time?

[JKW]

Bass- I got the Test from someone but I do not want to go that route. I want to do it legally. As I said before I used to compete and we all did our own cycles and doses. I am not saying that is right, I know it was wrong now knowing what it all entails. But as compared to what I used to take, I thought around 300mg per week would start to give me some muscle and strength back. I see guys at the gym that look older than me and I know they are taking something. Its not natural and I want to get a partial bit of what I used to look like back. Also the doctor originally was going to prescribe the Testosterone at 200 mg/week before the results camne back. As a bone head ex bodybuilder I went to 300 mg/week (psychological mind games lol)

API- please excuse my ignorance, I do not know what blasting means lol.

Vettester- I do not know what my E2 level is, he never told me and I dont knnow if he tested for that. Can you tell me why that is important? I am sorry guys I have been reading the posts about E2 levels, gynecomastia etc but I really dont undrstand them. What affect will my E2 level have?

Also they tested me for thyroid and PSA and all those were normal too. I should also add that my wife is considerably younger than I am so keeping up with her in all areas is a bit of a challenge. With this partial cycle for 6 weeks that I did (I am not on now) it really helped sex drive and how I am looking and feeling physically.

I beg all of our forgiveness in my ignorance and ask for some patience. I joined here because I have been reading the posts and trying to educate myself but there is so much to take in it is hard to grasp in such a short time. So I thought I would ask some questions. Again I am sorry if this seems lazy, I dont mean to be.

[Vettester]

JKW, to answer you on E2 ... E2 of course is Estradiol, which is the strongest of the 3 estrogens in your body. We have an excellent thread on E2-Estradiol, and I highly encourage you to check it out.

In the meantime, you need to know that maintaining a healthy level of E2 in your body is extremely critical. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you look at it), testosterone plays a huge role with E2, as it is the immediate precursor upstream in the chain of the endocrine system. Testosterone converts downstream to both DHT via the 5A-R enzyme, and to estrogen, or for this discussion into E2. The body's normal course is to seek homeostasis, or you could call it balance. By not knowing what your E2 (sensitive assay BTW) is going into this, and during the course of your self medication, you stand a very GOOD chance with having an excess conversion and aromatization of E2 due to the substantial increase of testosterone in your body. This excess conversion will disrupt the body from achieving that particular homeostasis. There are simple ways to manage and control this issue, but it first must be identified and addressed before you do anything else.

Again, I would refer you to the E2 sticky to get a better understanding of just what the negative side effects of too much (or too little) E2 can have with a male. You mentioned the subject of gynecomastia , which is just one of many negative possibilities that could occur if you do not 'manage' your E2, along with other variables associated with HRT. Notice I say HRT, not TRT ... Start thinking 'Hormone' Replacement Therapy, not just Testosterone. If you run the gamut of panels, you might discover that other areas, like E2, and maybe areas like DHEA, SHBG (which will reflect on your Free/Bio Test), Thyroid Panels (as mentioned by GD), adrenals, Vitamin D & B12, etc., etc.. will be out of balance.

Hopefully the others will chime in on your other thoughts and questions. Feel free to ask more questions, but please do take a little time in the sticky section, as I know just an hour there will raise your awareness and knowledge level 10 fold!

[kelkel]

Great advice above JKW. Read GD's sticky and also read this article below. It will open your eyes to the importance of estrogen management:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/...ng-Male_01.htm

Welcome to the forum!

kel