Varicoceles and low T

[Euro Guy]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I apologize for the long post and thank anyone willing to read this and provide feedback and advice!

I am a 30 year old male, 5'11", 180 lbs, and I work out regularly and have for about 12 years. I have had a grade III varicocele in my left testicle for as long as I can remember. I did a sperm test analysis, and my sperm count, volume, etc. are all normal. The varicocele doesn't bother me, as long as it doesn't impact fertility.

I have always had a hard time gaining muscle, which is frustrating. Recently, I noticed that my erections weren't as frequent or powerful as they used to be, and I occasionally have trouble climaxing. Additionally, my body fat is distributed mostly in the abdomen and love handle areas.

A week ago, I went to Ageless Men's Health clinic in NYC to have my testosterone checked. They only tested total testosterone, PSA and E2, and they came back as follows:

Total T: 425
PSA: 0.41
E2: 25

I didn't get the ranges, but anything under 460 qualifies as low T.

I know a lot more BW is recommended, and I was surprised that these were the only things they checked. They said that if I became a client, they could test whatever I want. The usual protocol is 150mg of test C and 250iu of HCG per week with an anti-e as necessary.

I have done some research, and it seems like there is a lot of contradictory information on whether or not a varicocele can cause low T.

What would you guys do in my situation? Start TRT, get more BW, get the varicocele fixed?

[kelkel]

Clinics don't always place your health first and foremost. 425 is low, imho, and I'd assume your free T is low as well. I would not start TRT. Assuming all other BW is normal and nothing else is impeding endogenous testosterone (think thyroid, cortisol, prolactin) I'd get it fixed post haste. Read these links:

Varicocele repair for low testosterone. [Curr Opin Urol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI

Varicocelectomy: microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy is the treatment of choice

Welcome to the forum euro guy!