To TRT or Not to TRT...or to HCG...or to...

[SStryker44]

So I'm having to look into TRT...my T levels have been on a steady decline the last few years. Last few months have had the constant cloudy, brain foggy feels. Lack of punch in gym, but can still lift decent weight, down maybe 20lbs on bench, can still curl 50s x 10...nothing too impressive obviously.

38yr old Male
5'10, 205lbs
Body Fat%: A lot
Lifting consistently and steadily for 14 years


12/2011:
T: 575
Free T: 24
Est: 24

2/14:
T: 891
Free T: 34
Est: 31
(Had just finished trying APE for the first time -- over the counter natural test booster


2/15
T: 675
Free T: 24
Est: 29
Did a Pro Hormone run of Fina 1-Andro for 5 weeks in July of 2014...so these numbers were well after that. Was shocked at gains from that. Went from benching with 85lbs dumbbells to 105s with my midget wrists.



9/15:
T: 425
Free T: 14
Est: 19


1/16:
T: 384
Free T: 10
Est: 14
SHGB: 49 (First time tested)


Now during these times I have tried a few over the counter items...DAA, APE, and Maca, so I'm not sure if that might have some influence or caused layoffs at the nut factory. I just got the bloodwork done on Thursday. On Monday I have a follow-up appointment with the doctor to review the results and options. I also have an appointment scheduled with another anti-aging Dr. to get a second opinion, compare suggestions, etc.

Just wondering if anybody has ran into a similar issue. They did not test for LH hormone with the first place I went to on Thursday, hence why I would like to discuss this and get a second opinion (and test for it...) with the second Doctor I am seeing.

My thoughts were, try HCG first to see if that jump starts anything, or, do TRT, or, just go for a 12wk Test Cycle. The latter likely ill-advised, but trying to figure where to go from here, given the outcome of the pending visits. Aware that I am all over the board, but trying to figure out what to do because as you all know, this kinda sucks a$$.

This really sucks, but I think there's light at the end either way. Upside: PSA came back at 0.3.

[kelkel]

Welcome Stryker.

Use the edit button and add ranges in for your blood work. Particularly for your free T.
Also take a look in the Finding A Doc sticky thread and see if you can pull the first set of BW there. Step one is to get a full picture of what's going on inside you and see if anything is suppressing you such as thyroid, cortisol, prolactin, etc.

No to HCG as over time it will lead to suppression of Pituitary LH. HCG is used by some as a form of TRT, but that's not the goal. Your goal, I assume, is to find the cause and correct it if possible. The only way to do that is full BW. Simply checking hormones shows the end result, but doesn't show how you got there. Maybe there's an issue, maybe it's age related. Throwing darts without BW.

Good luck and welcome to the forum. Be sure to post up what occurs next please. We all learn from each other here.