23, Low Test

[SnoozeP30]

Hello!

So I have been lifting consistently and regularly for 3 years now. I have made good progress but nothing to what I would expect for the amount of time I put into my training and diet. I have always been on the 'softer' (fat holding) side with next to no vascular areas. Puberty hit me quite late and I had a good feeling my test was low. I went to the Doc's last year and got a result of 11 nmol/l, this is pretty low considering im 23, lift heavy, often and with a healthy, balanced diet.

However when I raised concerns with the Doctor about my lack of muscle growth, sleepiness, memory loss and history of depression he asked me if i had erectile dysfunction (i said no) then shrugged it off and said 'you're in the norm, you're fine' - as if to say unless my dick stops working its not a problem. Not sure he took into account this is lower than the average 85 - 100 male (according to his charts)

ANYWAY - I just had test results back last week as he said my original test was done midday and testosterone can fluctuate, so i should have it done 1 hour after waking up. So I did. Today my test results were 9 nmol/L.

Depending on which site you go on this is under or JUST over 'normal' levels.

Now I have aims for IFBB procards however at the rate im progressing im not sure it's ever going to be possible, whenever I cut I lose muscle mass at the same rate as i gained it and STILL look soft.

I am hoping to get some other peoples experiences that have been in the same boat as me? I will surly cycle and have booked another Doc appointment in 2 weeks (another doctor) however Im not sure what help they will be, they seem to think im just looking for a free test hookup.

What cycles have people run with very low test?
What should I educate myself on in terms of drugs to avoid (I know anavar lowers test which so for me to run an Anavar cycle would be un-wise) for example?

Anything is welcome!

[kelkel]

Sorry to hear of your low T. And no matter what your doctor says it is below scale and should be investigated as to why.
Do you have a copy of your BW that you can post so we can see if anything is suppressing you? Without it you're guessing.
Many things can cause low T such as head or testicular trauma, thyroid issues, adenoma's, prolactin and the list goes on.

Take a look at the Finding A Doc sticky thread at the top of this forum and review the first set of blood work. Fill in the blanks with what you don't currently have. Step number one for you is finding the causative factor and correcting it. Returning your Test to optimal levels will make a huge difference with your progress. Worry about cycles later.

[SnoozeP30]

Thanks for the swift response!

I will grab a copy from the clinic tomorrow, although I do not think it is a full hormone BW, nevertheless I shall grab them (last years also)

I shall have a look at the thread now. You mention that there could be a factor, is it also a possibility that genetically I have a low testosterone production or is there always some reason why?

[kelkel]

Normally there's a reason why. But to your question there is always a chance that it's idiopathic. All this is why BW is paramount in determining your path forward. Just imagine if there is something you can correct that would restore your T levels to optimum but your doctor didn't bother to investigate, and you lived with it for years. How pissed off would you be?

Do your homework, get your BW together. If you're in the states you can pull your own BW in many states via private labs such as Discounted Labs dot com and Private MD labs dot com. They offer certain panels that would help greatly in making a determination and they are very inexpensive, surprisingly.

[Youthful55guy]

Thanks for the swift response!

I will grab a copy from the clinic tomorrow, although I do not think it is a full hormone BW, nevertheless I shall grab them (last years also)

I shall have a look at the thread now. You mention that there could be a factor, is it also a possibility that genetically I have a low testosterone production or is there always some reason why?

Just to add to Kel's comments, you must always post the lab's normal ranges. Numbers like 11 and 9 nmol/L tell us little unless we know what the normal range it, which varies from lab to lab. Also, post the specific test. I'm assuming it's total T, but we need to know that too.

I strongly support Kel's recommendation that before you jump into TRT or start talking about steroid cycles (e.g. Anavar ), you should sort out the reason why at the age of 23 you have low T. It's just not what one would expect so you really should rule out the bad stuff.

[SnoozeP30]

I am back. I went for a re-bloodtest but they wouldn't issue anything more than a testosterone level check. (plasma).

I have researched into getting a blood panel done private. Medichecks appear to be a well trusted, reasonably priced service.

I was hoping someone with some experience with my issue would be able to make some suggestions into which test i should order? https://www.medichecks.com/

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[hollowedzeus]

i used this one
https://www.medichecks.com/hormone-t...heck-plus-male

99 pounds for a full testosterone panel. if you need to get someone to draw blood for you its an extra 25.
i would avoid the finger prick test and opt to get the blood IV.

turnaround was only 3 days if i recall.#


https://www.medichecks.com/testoster...cement-therapy
this one is arguably better for an extra £20....
offers prolactin (which could indicate a pituitary tumor if elevated which can cause low t), cholesterol, thyroid and CBC.

for some reason it is missing lh and fsh so you will have to decide which is better for yourself.
there is plenty of packages to choose from so have a look through them all

[SnoozeP30]

i used this one
https://www.medichecks.com/hormone-t...heck-plus-male

99 pounds for a full testosterone panel. if you need to get someone to draw blood for you its an extra 25.
i would avoid the finger prick test and opt to get the blood IV.

turnaround was only 3 days if i recall.#


https://www.medichecks.com/testoster...cement-therapy
this one is arguably better for an extra £20....
offers prolactin (which could indicate a pituitary tumor if elevated which can cause low t), cholesterol, thyroid and CBC.

for some reason it is missing lh and fsh so you will have to decide which is better for yourself.
there is plenty of packages to choose from so have a look through them all

Thanks! Is this the correct test to use, so that following the results (being them all ok) would be a good indicator that I am in the green to start my first cycle?
Planning on ordering this week.

Also, which test would you recommend and why, for during /following the cycle?

All help is welcome, in the pursuit to understand all these variables more.

[Youthful55guy]

Thanks! Is this the correct test to use, so that following the results (being them all ok) would be a good indicator that I am in the green to start my first cycle?
Planning on ordering this week.

Also, which test would you recommend and why, for during /following the cycle?

All help is welcome, in the pursuit to understand all these variables more.

Just is probably just semantics, but please define what you mean by "cycle". This term is generally not used with TRT because with TRT you are always taking the drug and you will be for the rest of your life. This is not a medication you can easily switch on and off.

The term "cycle" is generally used with bodybuilders who abuse the drug(s) by taking high levels for a short period of time and then stop and go through post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restart endogenous T production. Since your endogenous T production is not working right to begin with, a PCT will not restart your system and at best, you will come back to where you are now. My guess though, is that with a damaged system, your recovery will be greatly extended and that will not be pleasant.

[SnoozeP30]

Sorry, I should be more specific. I plan on doing a typical 12 week test-E cycle starting 2018. I have an understanding I am at a low test production currently, maybe there is a problem, maybe there isn't. The reason I aim to do a full blood panel prior to a cycle is to make sure I am 'ok' and that the low test is just my genetics. However, should an issue arrise, it will be delt with.

[Obs]

i used this one
https://www.medichecks.com/hormone-t...heck-plus-male

99 pounds for a full testosterone panel. if you need to get someone to draw blood for you its an extra 25.
i would avoid the finger prick test and opt to get the blood IV.

turnaround was only 3 days if i recall.#


https://www.medichecks.com/testoster...cement-therapy
this one is arguably better for an extra £20....
offers prolactin (which could indicate a pituitary tumor if elevated which can cause low t), cholesterol, thyroid and CBC.

for some reason it is missing lh and fsh so you will have to decide which is better for yourself.
there is plenty of packages to choose from so have a look through them all

Look at Zeus, really research this guy if you want gains. He should be your role model. pay attention

With love, obs