TRT or suggested first cycle?

[Macros]

Hi guys,
I'm 30 yo 5'9" 170lbs. I've been training hard and consistently for 10 years. I have always eaten healthy but for the past 5-6 years I've been extremely disciplined and smart with my diet. My problem is I haven't gotten the results I would expect from all of my efforts and I was also having some symptoms that I thought could be linked to low testosterone after I did some research. I got 3 blood tests (which were not full panel and I realized I should have asked for a better tests) here are my test results:

Test 1(November): total - 582 ng/dL; free - 6.7 pg/mL
Test 2 (December): total - 601 ng/dL; free - 19.6 pg/mL
Test 3 (January): total - 539 ng/dL; free - 13.3 pg/mL

Ranges: total: 348-1197; free: 9.3-26.5

I met with my primary Doctor and he said my levels were normal. I told him about some of my symptoms: how I feel very fatigued, have less of an interest in sex, gaining more body fat while at the same weight, not depressed but not able to enjoy life like I did before.

He told me he would put me on gel only. I asked arimidex and HCG and he said he doesn't prescribe that to his patients on TRT.

I guess my question is, would it be better for someone in my situation to try Augustine's suggested first cycle or to go on TRT from a doc who actually knows what he's talking about? Are my levels low enough to warrant TRT? Can you do TRT for awhile, get off and the do a cycle like the one suggested in the sticky?

Thanks for any help! I have an appointment with a doc at a rejuvenation clinic in a week and wanted to seek some wisdom on here before I sign my life away to TRT.

[almostgone]

I may be wrong, but I believe a Dr. would have a hard time justifying a medical need for TRT w/ those levels. There could be other issues that need addressing to optimize your levels and hopefully lessen/eliminate your symptoms. However, I would have thought your Dr. would have run additional labs/investigated further.

Some.of the other guys may can offer more helpful input.

[kelkel]

Do you know what your:

SHBG level is?
Vit D level?
Time of day the tests were?

In other words, if you can post the blood work please do so. Something may be mildly suppressing your from what your normal levels would be.

[Macros]

I wish the tests were more comprehensive but they only show total test serum and free test. All of the tests were taken at 9:00 am (fasted). I'm going to a different Doctor this week he said I should come fasted for bloodwork. I will ask if he can test the SHBG and vitamin D levels. Is there anything else I should ask him to include on the blood test.

Also, in your opinion do you think I'd be better off on TRT for an extended time period or just doing the recommended first cycle?

[kelkel]

Use the list in the Finding A Doc sticky thread at the top of this forum.

[Macros]

Ok thank you for your reply! they told me to come fasted to my appointment on the 19th so I will post any bloodwork results I get at that appointment and will request all of the important items that should be screened.