TRT Information Request/Advice

[PopoloBear]

Hey Guys,

I'm a new user here on the forums and this is my first thread looking for advice or any information I can get to assist me in making my decision to start or not to start TRT.

Background Information About:
I'm 29 years old and have NEVER done any steroids ever. I've been overweight the majority of my life, but in the last few years have made progress in reducing weight. I used to be 290lbs (I'm 5'-10") and worked my way down to 210lbs (about 18%~19% BF). Most of this weight was lost before last year, probably lost 10-20lbs this year.
In the last year I've noticed a few changes such as:
- a much longer recovery time after strength training (used to go 6 days a week for about an hour, I can now go 4 days a week).
- less restful sleep but longer sleep time (used to run on 5 hours of sleep, no waking up at all, now I need at least 6 hours but usually wake up a bunch throughout the night)
- ONCE in a great while I'll have sexual performance issues (unable to keep it up).

Some of my friends jokingly suggested that I might have low T since they noticed my gym performance decreasing (or just joking that I'm just plain old).

I was curious about my T levels and decided to get tested via TRT clinic. I decided to go through a TRT clinic (which is located in florida) because here in Honolulu, Hawaii insurance sucks. I actually did the math and saw that to get my T levels checked it would be cheaper to do it through a online TRT clinic versus my local health care provider with insurance.

I did the test (taken at 730am) showed my total T level was 297 ng/DL. I have a bunch of other blood test results too if anyone is interested in hearing to provide information.
I got diagonized with low T and was provided testosterone CYP (200 mg per week), anastrozole (1 mg twice per week), and HCG (50 units twice per week).

Before I decided to do the TRT, I decided to get a second opinion by my expensive health care provider.
Their test (taken at 830am) showed my total T level was 349 ng/DL and T free was 60.9 pg/ml.
They suggested that I do not need TRT.

So I'm pretty much stuck on deciding if I should do it or not. I have no idea how it would feel to have high T levels so I have no clue how it would benefit me since I've never did any steriods before. And from what I read TRT is lifelong and is not something you can "try out". I'm also very interested in having kids and I keep reading that TRT can effect that but I'm not sure whats the odds (I mean is it like the odds that you could die from taking aspirin?)

If anyone would be interested in sharing their opinion/experiences that would be super helpful.
Or if anyone knows if there's a way to "try" TRT for like 3 months (I read it takes a while to see the benefits).
Sadly all the local medical people I have available are not too knowledgeable on the subject or can even refer me to similar people with the same scenario.

Thanks!

[Beethoven]

Popolobear welcome to the forum. I suggest you post your complete blood work with ranges so the knowledgeable members can help. At your age with your background maybe there is something else going on. If you decide on going through with this, it is a lifelong commitment. 200 mg is a bit high to start imho, 100 mg a week would probably be the best place to start and work your way up if needed. You may not need the Anastrozole, but your blood work is needed. We have very knowledgeable people here that can help.

[2Sox]

What Beethoven said above. But before ANYONE embarks on TRT, he MUST find out the cause. So I'd advise you hold off until you get a thorough diagnosis. It's very difficult to go back in time to get a diagnoses if you already began treatment.

As Beethoven said, there are plenty of people here who can advise you once you take the step.

[PopoloBear]

Thanks Beethoven and 2Sox.

Here's my first test results:

CBC With Differential/Platelet

WBC 3.4 x10E3/uL 3.4 - 10.8 01
RBC 5.25 x10E6/uL 4.14 - 5.80 01
Hemoglobin 15.2 g/dL 12.6 - 17.7 01
Hematocrit 46.3 % 37.5 - 51.0 01
MCV 88 fL 79 - 97 01
MCH 29.0 pg 26.6 - 33.0 01
MCHC 32.8 g/dL 31.5 - 35.7 01
RDW 12.4 % 12.3 - 15.4 01
Platelets 206 x10E3/uL 150 - 379 01
Neutrophils 58 % 40 - 74 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Lymphs 33 % 14 - 46 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Monocytes 4 % 4 - 12 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Eos 4 % 0 - 5 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Basos 1 % 0 - 3 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Neutrophils (Absolute) 2.0 x10E3/uL 1.4 - 7.0 01
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.1 x10E3/uL 0.7 - 3.1 01
Monocytes(Absolute) 0.2 x10E3/uL 0.1 - 0.9 01
Eos (Absolute) 0.1 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.4 01
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.2 01
Immature Granulocytes 0 % 0 - 2 01
The percent (%) differential reference intervals for normal cell types
will be removed from patient reports beginning September 15, 2014,
consistent with CAP standards.
Immature Grans (Abs) 0.0 x10E3/uL 0.0 - 0.1 01
NRBC 0 % 0 - 0 01


Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)

Glucose, Serum 70 mg/dL 65 - 99 01
BUN 19 mg/dL 6 - 20 01
Creatinine, Serum 1.10 mg/dL 0.76 - 1.27 01
eGFR If NonAfricn Am 91 mL/min/1.73 >59
eGFR If Africn Am 105 mL/min/1.73 >59
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 17 8 - 19
Sodium, Serum 141 mmol/L 134 - 144 01
Potassium, Serum 4.8 mmol/L 3.5 - 5.2 01
Chloride, Serum 103 mmol/L 97 - 108 01
Carbon Dioxide, Total 24 mmol/L 18 - 29 01
Calcium, Serum 9.6 mg/dL 8.7 - 10.2 01
Protein, Total, Serum 6.2 g/dL 6.0 - 8.5 01
Albumin, Serum 4.5 g/dL 3.5 - 5.5 01
Globulin, Total 1.7 g/dL 1.5 - 4.5
A/G Ratio 2.6 High 1.1 - 2.5
Bilirubin, Total 0.5 mg/dL 0.0 - 1.2 01
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 54 IU/L 39 - 117 01
AST (SGOT) 26 IU/L 0 - 40 01
ALT (SGPT) 29 IU/L 0 - 44 01

Testosterone , Serum 297 Low ng/dL 348 - 1197 01
Comment:
Adult male reference interval is based on a population of lean males
up to 40 years old.

C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac 0.21 mg/L 0.00 - 3.00 01
Relative Risk for Future Cardiovascular Event
Low <1.00 Average 1.00 - 3.00 High >3.00


Estradiol 15.2 pg/mL 7.6 - 42.6 01

Prostate Specific Ag, Serum 0.6 ng/mL 0.0 - 4.0 01
Roche ECLIA methodology.
According to the American Urological Association, Serum PSA should
decrease and remain at undetectable levels after radical
prostatectomy. The AUA defines biochemical recurrence as an initial
PSA value 0.2 ng/mL or greater followed by a subsequent confirmatory
PSA value 0.2 ng/mL or greater.
Values obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used
interchangeably. Results cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence
of the presence or absence of malignant disease.

Cholesterol, Total 166 mg/dL 100 - 199 01

[PopoloBear]

2nd Test:

WBC, AUTO 3.7 k/ul
RBC, AUTO 5.22 M/ul
HGB, AUTO 14.9 gm/dl
HCT 44.1%
MCV 84.4 FL
MCHC 33.8 gm/dl
RDW, RBC 12.5%
PLATELETS, AUTO 179 k/uL
NEUTROPHILS, AUTO 1.7/46.1% (L) k/uL
LYMPHS, AUTO 1.3/36.4% k/uL
MONOCYTES, AUTO 0.4/9.9% k/uL
EOSINOPHIL, AUTO 0.2/6.5% k/uL
BASOPHILS, AUTO 0.0/1.1% k/uL
VITAMIN B12 1186 pg/ml
FOLATE 11.7 ng/ml
TEST TOTAL 349
TEST FREE 60.9
TSH 0.94 uIU/ml

[kelkel]

Curious what the range is on your Free T?
Was prolactin or cortisol tested?
Any testicular or head trauma in your past?
Pathologies or varicocelles?

[PopoloBear]

Hey Kelkel,
For the second test:
Total T range was 250-1100
Free T range was 35-155

Prolactin or cortisol was not tested.
I can't recall any major testicular trauma (maybe in the past a couple junk punches) or head trauma (couple bruises here and there). Nothing that I had to seek medical treatment for.

No pathologies or varicocelles

[PopoloBear]

I also saw on these forums that people utilize post cycle therapy items to end their steroid cycle for recreational uses. Would I be able to utilize A similar PCT regiment to end TRT, in case I wanted to see the affects of having normal ranges of T?

[kelkel]

Hey Kelkel,
For the second test:
Total T range was 250-1100
Free T range was 35-155

Prolactin or cortisol was not tested.
I can't recall any major testicular trauma (maybe in the past a couple junk punches) or head trauma (couple bruises here and there). Nothing that I had to seek medical treatment for.

No pathologies or varicocelles

Ok, well sometimes it's simply idiopathic. Just be sure you have a competent doctor who evaluates everything before embarking on this. Speaking of which, I don't recall seeing LH or FSH listed? Or did I miss it? You def need to know these levels as it will help to determine where the problem lies. Either primary (testical related) or secondary (pituitary related.) Get these done along with the others mentioned.

If LH comes back elevated with low T it means the issue is with your testicals and you may be primary hypogonadal or heading that way. If LH is low then the issue is with the hypothalamus / pituitary. This will help determine your next step.

I also saw on these forums that people utilize post cycle therapy items to end their steroid cycle for recreational uses. Would I be able to utilize A similar PCT regiment to end TRT, in case I wanted to see the affects of having normal ranges of T?

Yes. Actually, you may consider serms first.

[PopoloBear]

KelKel,

Sadly I'm pretty sure my local doctor that did the second test is not competent (although I could be wrong). She suggested that my blood work and the symptoms I listed previously shows that my T levels are absolutely fine and there is no need to investigate further. It also seemed like I had more information about TRT and low T then she did, although again I could be wrong.

The doctor, from the TRT clinic and first test, seems to be very knowledgeable, although the only thing I could call into question is that we've only had phone consultations (due to being in different states) and that the doctor is representing a private company that sole business is treating low T patients. Not sure if they have my best interests in mind.

I don't see LH or FSH listed in any of my labs either. I'll ask both doctors to see if it is in the tests results but labeled something else or if I can get tested.

I'll do more inquiring to see if I can find out the cause of these levels prior to embarking down the TRT path with the resources I have locally.

Thanks for answering my PCT question, I'll look into serms as an alternative.

[lovbyts]

KelKel,

Sadly I'm pretty sure my local doctor that did the second test is not competent (although I could be wrong). She suggested that my blood work and the symptoms I listed previously shows that my T levels are absolutely fine and there is no need to investigate further. It also seemed like I had more information about TRT and low T then she did, although again I could be wrong.

The doctor, from the TRT clinic and first test, seems to be very knowledgeable, although the only thing I could call into question is that we've only had phone consultations (due to being in different states) and that the doctor is representing a private company that sole business is treating low T patients. Not sure if they have my best interests in mind.

I don't see LH or FSH listed in any of my labs either. I'll ask both doctors to see if it is in the tests results but labeled something else or if I can get tested.

I'll do more inquiring to see if I can find out the cause of these levels prior to embarking down the TRT path with the resources I have locally.

Thanks for answering my PCT question, I'll look into serms as an alternative.

Sadly that is the case 90% or more with GP. If you want to have someone local test you via insurance go see a fertility doctor. My experience was VERY good with the one I saw. He was VERY knowledgeable about low T, TRT, estrogen (most GP thinks E2 does not mater in men) and HCG .

Yeah LH and FSH are important as KelKel points out. You can also order the test online and go to a local lab. It's only around $150 for the full blown test through Private MD labs .com Hormone Panel for Males

[Metalject]

Curious what the range is on your Free T?
Was prolactin or cortisol tested?
Any testicular or head trauma in your past?
Pathologies or varicocelles?

Not trying to change the topic of the thread, just a question. Why does everyone always ask for the range? I don't understand. For example, (just a random number) 500 ng/dl is 500 ng/dl and means the same thing if the range is 250-800, 290-1000 or any other combo you can come up with, or am I wrong? There must be something I missing.

[lovbyts]

Because different labs use different range of testing. It's not just the 290 - 1000 but it's how they come up with your total and free number. Not all of them use the same math.

If you send the same blood to different labs one may come back as your total being 250 and another lab comes back as 300 because of how they calculate the total thus the range will also be different but yet they should work out to be similar.

example
Total test 250 range 250 - 1000
Total test 300 range 300 - 1100

Total numbers are different but both are right at the bottom of the range.

[Beethoven]

Ranges can be a difference. 500 on a range of 290-1100 is only about half where as a range of 200-800 is better. The ranges on my labs are not 1100.

[PopoloBear]

Thanks lovbyts for the advice! I'm planning to see a fertility doctor for advice next week.