Low testosterone problems

[tiddz]

I have been experiencing fatigue, stress, lathargy, added bodyfat and a big decrease in libido. I have been in this situation for some time, about 3 years.
I saw my then doctor and put it to him that I was having difficulty. I had a blood test for test levels and it came back low. He referred me to the endocrinologist who took another test that came back borderline or higher than original one. He was very dismissive and said that I need to get into the gym, lose weight and things would get better. I asked him my ideal bodyweight and again he just looked at me and said that I would never achieve it and that he could do nothing for me.
Now the truth is that I used to be very active in the gym and in work too. I had an ACL reconstruction in 2005 and I went downhill from there. After my physio sessions my knee used to swell up with fluid which had to be drained and then have a couple of weeks off physio so in the end I just stopped going. It took me 18 months to recover fully and then I was in the gym again just for cardio work. My weight used to be around 13 stone.
I was ok for a few years and then I began to feel these current symptoms. I would go to work for a few days then by midweek I would be so shattered that I could not go into work. I could spend all day in bed.
This carried on and became worse as time went by, so much so that I had to change my job to become self employed.
Now I drive a cab for a few days a week and I dont do anything else. I have tried going to the gym but whilst I can do a 40 minute cardio session, the days after are horrendous. I cant move. It used to take me a week or so to get used to a gym routine but I just cant do it anymore. My weight has shot to 16 stone, climbing a flight of steps leaves me knackered and I am totally lost as to how I am going to turn it around.
I have changed my doc recently and I have an appointment where I will ask him to review my test levels and I have decided that if on this occasion the doctor does not help me then I will try to do something myself.
I have looked at various things and I have seen the steroid cycles and what they entail. However I dont want to go headfirst into the wrong type of cycle with the wrong type of steroid. I understand about steroids , diet, supplementation and PCT as I have read on several forums over the years but now that I want to put it into practice, I need help from people who have overcome the same problem without any pitfalls or endangering themselves. I want to keep it as simple as possible and I just want to get my life back.

[Simon1972]

dont go down the steroid path. its a one shot wonder and you cant stay on those levels indefinitely.

You will possibly end up on trt for life. but without a dr you wont succeed- you really need a drs help.

reccomend you take your bloodtest- the lowest one and try new drs, call compounding chemists in your area, and ask them to refer you to a local dr that treats low T patients.

depending on your location, try the A5M website and find a practioner there.

Its an effort for men to get help. All drs think is that we want to become hulks, you have to find a good dr instead of persevering with dismissive dr's.

[PersuAsian]

It is frustratingly difficult to find a doctor with enough knowledge on the subject of hormones to help. The worst doctor that I went to was an Endocrinologist. I don't understand the reasoning of doing cycles though. If you are truly low then you need to be on regular and consistent TRT. Look at the "Finding a TRT physician" stickie. Get those labs pulled and hopefully it will give you and your doctor some insight. This doesn't always work I am sure, but I found my current doc by calling a compounding pharmacy and asking for a list of doctor's that prescribed TRT. That was the end of a crapshoot of other GP's and specialists that I went to. Good luck.

[2Sox]

From all reports on this forum, endocrinologists are the least informed about TRT. Best to seek out a urologist who has more knowledge on this subject - generally.

You say your T readings were low but it's best to state what the numbers are so that we can determine best how to advise you.

And as Simon advises, forget about cycles. It's a crazy thing to even consider at this point. First get your health back. Cycles are for serious competitors and body builders. Is that where you want to go? I seriously doubt it.

Have any of your physicians determined the cause of your low T? Start there first. There are many causes and just going on TRT without knowing the cause would be an unwise move - which unfortunately has happened.

[Mr.BB]

If you have low testosterone you should have it properly diagnosed as it can be an effect of a number of pathologies. Hypothyroidism, pituitary tumors, several testis conditions, etc are all pathologies that may cause low T. If a doctor does not even try find the root cause you should seek another one.

[tiddz]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am at the new docs in the morning and we will go from there. Its true that I dont want to be on cycles for an indefinite period and its also true that I dont want to be a huge hulking body builder.
My reasoning for coming onto this site was that in four years of trying to find an answer I have gotten nowhere so I was about to try an oral cycle. The reason I posted on here was that I could get views of other people in my situation. To be honest I just want a bit of quality back in my life and I will listen to what everyone has to say before I dive into anything. I never bothered with previous readings but I will make sure to get the next lot noted down.