I've been having some problems and I need some advice

[FrancoIsAChild]

Hi everyone!


I'm looking for some advice as I presume a lot of you can perhaps empathize with me. This is a little long winded so bear with me! (Sorry in advance)

Bit of backstory on me:
-24
-Male
-6'0
-210lbs.
-Weights 4 times a week. 50 minute workouts. (Most of what I touch is barbells or body weight stuff)
-Moderately active as I live on a farm.
-Gallon of water a day


I'd say I've got my life together. My pay is plenty for me. Have my own place. Have a network of friends.
I guess what i'm trying to say is that I'm quite happy in life, apart from the usual stresses. I look forward to the next day, so to speak.

I wouldn't call myself lethargic, because I work quite hard and comprehensively, but I really have to push myself throughout the day and my workouts. I'm not as strong as I used to be. I lack energy. Once I get to sleep, it's great and undisturbed. But actually getting to sleep is a struggle.

Sexual performance is also struggling and I tend to not find myself aroused anymore if at all. Not when I'm alone or even when I'm with a girl. Weak erection or none at all, even when the girl is naked and ready to go. I've used the prescribed viagra but this only works if you're actually aroused to begin with. They won't make you erect if you're not into it. And i'm increasingly finding myself, not into it.

To the point of why i'm here:

I understand how to track calories and my macronutrients. I've tried all kind of macro variations also with high calories and low calories. My body is just not responding to anything. I'm not losing any fat and my muscles are not filling out at all. It's been this way for a year.

As an example, I've been doing: 180P, 140C, 70F to lower my bodyfat, including high intensity workouts with lots of compound movements; for about 8 weeks now. My progress pics all look the same, and weight has fluctuated back to equilibrium by 2lbs at most.
When I up my carbs and protein significantly to gain muscle mass, I don't put on much muscle either.

I'm relatively strong. My bench/squat/deadlift is a comfortable 8 reps at 200lbs on a calorie deficit.

For the most part i'm getting 6 hours sleep with a gallon of water a day. My salt content isn't too high either.

I'm convinced that there's a hormone issue that is making me this way. When I was 20-21 I was a machine. Highly energetic and very strong. I'm thinking of going to the doctor to get blood tested (I had one last year and I was told it was normal by the GP, but I don't know how to read these results sheets).

I went recently to my GP and he just said get some rest and eat well. But I ALWAYS eat well and take care of myself and I'm relatively fit for the most part so this advice hasn't done much for me.

I'm also a little worried about the possibility of receiving testosterone as well because it's quite a new thing to me.

About 18 months ago I had a blood test done which yielded the following results:

|Hormones|
S TESTO: 27 nmol/L
S SHBG: 40 nmol/L
cFreeTesto: 550 pmol/L

|Thyroid|
S TSH: 1.11 mU/L

Any advice at all would be wonderful!
Thank you everyone.

[hammerheart]

If you suspect low t then get tested. Convince your GP to prescribe what you need, or run them on your own.

You need to pull LH, FSH, PRL, Total plus free testosterone.

If you want a general check up include CBC (complete blood counts), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) and a thyroid panel (TSH, FT4, FT3).

[FrancoIsAChild]

If you suspect low t then get tested. Convince your GP to prescribe what you need, or run them on your own.

You need to pull LH, FSH, PRL, Total plus free testosterone.

If you want a general check up include CBC (complete blood counts), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) and a thyroid panel (TSH, FT4, FT3).

I do suspect it, but I'm just not a medical professional. I wouldn't trust myself when it came to this kind of diagnosis.

I just don't know how I'd feel getting my own. Not sure i want to delve into that kind of world either. The criminal element, not to mention I'd have no idea what i'm doing with it or if i'm even getting good stuff or vegetable oil.

From a test I had about 18 months ago, these were the things given:

|Hormones|
S TESTO: 27 nmol/L
S SHBG: 40 nmol/L
cFreeTesto: 550 pmol/L

|Thyroid|
S TSH: 1.11 mU/L

[hammerheart]

I do suspect it, but I'm just not a medical professional. I wouldn't trust myself when it came to this kind of diagnosis.

I just don't know how I'd feel getting my own. Not sure i want to delve into that kind of world either. The criminal element, not to mention I'd have no idea what i'm doing with it or if i'm even getting good stuff or vegetable oil.

From a test I had about 18 months ago, these were the things given:

|Hormones|
S TESTO: 27 nmol/L
S SHBG: 40 nmol/L
cFreeTesto: 550 pmol/L

|Thyroid|
S TSH: 1.11 mU/L

Dude, I meant run blood checks on your own... this is legit depending on your location.

Besides, your readings look good, only that SHBG is a tad high, and my suggestion here is to apply some simple strategies to dial it down.

What is your carb intake? Insulin from glucose helps to reduce SHBG. Then you can take some supplements: fish oil, vitamin D3 (1-2k IU daily), Zinc citrate, Boron chelate.

Ever tested thyroid?

[FrancoIsAChild]

Dude, I meant run blood checks on your own... this is legit depending on your location.

Besides, your readings look good, only that SHBG is a tad high, and my suggestion here is to apply some simple strategies to dial it down.

What is your carb intake? Insulin from glucose helps to reduce SHBG. Then you can take some supplements: fish oil, vitamin D3 (1-2k IU daily), Zinc citrate, Boron chelate.

Ever tested thyroid?

Ha, I thought you meant if he doesn't prescribe something then source it on my own. Might have misread you there!

At the moment my carb intake is low (140). Even when it's high (lets say I do 230P, 340C, 80F for 8 weeks I won't put on much muscle mass at all and the changes are negligible apart from obvious adipose gain.

I have used supps in the past but I haven't bothered with them lately.

[hammerheart]

I have used supps in the past but I haven't bothered with them lately.

What did you take? Are you currently taking creatine? It's a great supplement and it can increase DHT in some ppl.

[FrancoIsAChild]

What did you take? Are you currently taking creatine? It's a great supplement and it can increase DHT in some ppl.

I have tried the creatine, arginine and was taking stacks of vitamins a few years back. I don't think they did much for me though.

[hammerheart]

I have tried the creatine, arginine and was taking stacks of vitamins a few years back. I don't think they did much for me though.

Give the specific supplements listed above a try if you can.

[FrancoIsAChild]

Give the specific supplements listed above a try if you can.

L-Arg and Creatine were just generic GNC stuff. Also tried a few BCAA's.

Vitamins: B, C, D3, Multi

[kelkel]

Can you pull BW like Bizzarro mentioned? If you can, do so. That's step one.

[FrancoIsAChild]

Can you pull BW like Bizzarro mentioned? If you can, do so. That's step one.

So go to the doc and ask for a blood test which includes:

LH
FSH
PRL
Total test
Free test
CBC
CMP
TSH
FT4
FT3

Is there anything else I should be getting?

Last time he checked me he only checked what I put in the OP. Does that seem inadequate?

Thanks

[kelkel]

Well if you're able to pull whatever you like I'd do the following:

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable testosterone (aka Free and Loosely Bound)
• Free Testosterone
• SHBG
• DHT (gel users especially pay attention to this)
• Estradiol (specify “sensitive” assay for males)
• LH
• FSH
• Prolactin
• Cortisol
• Thyroid Panel (complete)
• CBC
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Lipid Panel
• PSA (age dependent)
• IGF-1, IGFBP-3 (if HGH therapy is being considered)
• Vitamin D

[FrancoIsAChild]

Well if you're able to pull whatever you like I'd do the following:

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable testosterone (aka Free and Loosely Bound)
• Free Testosterone
• SHBG
• DHT (gel users especially pay attention to this)
• Estradiol (specify “sensitive” assay for males)
• LH
• FSH
• Prolactin
• Cortisol
• Thyroid Panel (complete)
• CBC
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Lipid Panel
• PSA (age dependent)
• IGF-1, IGFBP-3 (if HGH therapy is being considered)
• Vitamin D

Alright. When I see the doc i'm gonna ask him to put these tests in the bloods.

That being said, I'm not sure how far one can get in Australia with this type of stuff.

[FrancoIsAChild]

If you suspect low t then get tested. Convince your GP to prescribe what you need, or run them on your own. You need to pull LH, FSH, PRL, Total plus free testosterone. If you want a general check up include CBC (complete blood counts), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) and a thyroid panel (TSH, FT4, FT3).

Can you pull BW like Bizzarro mentioned? If you can, do so. That's step one.

I got results for the things you guys mentioned. I can't post the link but if you have a look at my most recent thread on the front page it's there. Thank you!