New Test Levels - am I low and in need or TRT? Experts HELP....

Thank you all kindly for commenting on my levels...

stats: 28, 5'9", m, 175lbs, lift 4x week, cardio 4x week, eat super clean, bf 13% - mostly carried in love handles, thighs and chest...

Had a battle with Gyno previously and lost, just puffy nipples and a fuller chest with added fat.

I recently had a hormone test and here are my levels...

My current endo. said I'm within range but I'm 120points lower on Total Testosterone than where I was at this time last year. Thought maybe u guys could add some insight/opinions and/or recommendations.

Thanks all...Much appreciated

**e2 ultra sensitive 26pg/ml Range **TSH3.93 miu/l Range 0.40-4.50 (isn't the new range supposed to be .40-3.0??? )

**T4 free 1.1 ng/dl Range 0.8-1.8
**FSH 3.6 miu/ml Range 1.6-8.0
**LH 6.4miu/ml Range 1.5-9.3
**Prolactin 12.9 ng/ml Range 2.0-18.0
**Total Test 488ng/dl Range 250-1100 (on 1.1.13 Total Test was at 609)
**Free Test 73.8pg/ml Range 46.0-224.0
**Test Bioavailable 158.3 ng/dl Range 110.0-575.0
**SHBG 28 nmol/l Range 10-50
**Albumin 4.7 g/dl Range 3.6-5.1 (What is Albumin and why is it tested?)

Thanks all...Always good to get your guy's opinions, as you're the HRT experts!

K.I.M.

Do you have any symptoms or do you feel good? Your pituitary signaling is good. Test levels arent great, but arent bad. Testosterone fluctuates, so just because it was lower on this test, doesnt mean it wont be a bit higher on a different one.

Honestly if you feel ok those levels look good.

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Originally Posted by PJS19

Do you have any symptoms or do you feel good? Your pituitary signaling is good. Test levels arent great, but arent bad. Testosterone fluctuates, so just because it was lower on this test, doesnt mean it wont be a bit higher on a different one.

Honestly if you feel ok those levels look good.

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Thanks for the response...

Most days im tired, slightlly lethargic and having difficulty concentrating and remembering things that I've just read/ watched...
has libido issues but they have gotten a little better with my gf....

I'm not trying to be a superhuman but I'd like to be optimal...

Hypothetically, if i started a regimne of trt would i experienced hair loss/ thinning? id hate to do it and then lose my hair/ eyebrows... they have thinned in the past due to a cycle use and 6 months of tamoxifen/raloxifene/letro use to get rid of gyno...

thanks all who take the time to reply...

I dont know about the hair loss, someone more knowledgeable can speak to that. But TRT is for life and you are only 28 with decent levels. When was your last cycle? You can probably boost your levels through life style changes, although yours seem to be pretty good. Your pituitary signaling is good with LH at 6.4. So its not like you need a restart. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more insight. Maybe you need more than the 488, but I think a lot of guys who have cycled are around that range when off cycles.

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Originally Posted by PJS19

I dont know about the hair loss, someone more knowledgeable can speak to that. But TRT is for life and you are only 28 with decent levels. When was your last cycle? You can probably boost your levels through life style changes, although yours seem to be pretty good. Your pituitary signaling is good with LH at 6.4. So its not like you need a restart. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more insight. Maybe you need more than the 488, but I think a lot of guys who have cycled are around that range when off cycles.

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thanks for the reply man. yeah i was at 609 before i cycled so its a little discouraging to see the loss of 120pts... i cycled on 3/1/13 and aborted 4-5 weeks, last injection was on 4/1/13 into it due to gyno issues... fought gyno with tamox/ralo/letro and experienced hair thinning/loss... sucks balls...

anyone else chime in and let me know what they think!!!!! thanks guys, this place is a god send...

As PJS19 stated maybe all you need are a few lifestyle modifications.

Since beginning TRT a year ago I have totally changed many things in my lifestyle.

Some of my personal changes have been:
1. Diet. I have eliminated 98% of processed foods. If it comes in a box that has a laundry list of ingredients that I can not pronounce I leave it on the shelf. Bread & sugar are history, believe it or not I don't miss either at all now. I purchase as much organic meat & produce as possible.
2. I steer clear of energy drinks & most caffeine these days. I still have a cup or two of coffee in the mornings. It's next to impossible to pass up the coffee pot in the fire station in the mornings :)
3. I don't use any plastic containers for food or drinks anymore, BPA is poison as are many other chemicals we come in contact with on a daily basis. Check this out: Chemicals That Lower Testosterone
4. Sleep. I have been a career Fireman for well over a decade. Shift work + being awake most nights + screwed up sleep habits/patterns = screwed up hormones. I can't prevent a terrible sleep schedule while on shift but when I am at home I take Meletonin & get a good 7-8 hours of sleep on my off days. This has made a huge improvement.
5. Stress, the silent killer for many myself included. As we all know life happens & it's not always rainbows & pots of gold. My family & I do everything we can do within reason to keep our stress levels as low as possible. Shit happens but these days stressful situations seem to be handled with much more ease & pass more quickly.

I'm sure I'll remember a few other changes I have made once I close my laptop, I'll update this post later when I remember them. I'm not downplaying the fact that TRT has changed my life for the better but so have the changes I listed above. Hopefully you can do what you need to do now while you're a young man now to prevent your need for TRT but who knows, you & your Doctor may find a valid medical reason why you need TRT. Hopefully you find this helpful.

Great post Everett!

yeah, thank you! is it ok to use bpa free plastics? i use these to store my food in and take it to work etc...?
is it ok to microwave the bpa free plastic containers?

I would say yes to storing food in BPA free containers, I do every now & then when all of my glassware is in the dishwasher. I never microwave anything in any type of plastic anymore.

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Originally Posted by kelkel

Great post Everett!

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Thank you Kelkel. I'm digging the new avatar.

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Originally Posted by EverettCD

Thank you Kelkel. I'm digging the new avatar.

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I just get bored easily....

bump..

Anyone think these levels need to be upped?

bump for LowT.com responses...
Do you guys think these levels are ok for a 28yr old male?
Thank you!