1 Attachment(s)
Low T Since Age 26 / Starting to Self-Dose
Greetings from Prague!
Been a long-time lurker here... and thrilled to have the chance to make my first post. Big kudos and thanks to all the folks sharing their wisdom.
Well, here's my story...
I travel a great deal for work (I'm American, but am working in Prague for May) and have a high stress job... but for years I'd been totally unable to function with less than 10 hours of sleep. Getting up in the morning was miserable and every day was a struggle to get through. Also, never was able to gain any muscle back when I was skinny... and as I got older, the fat was definitely easier to pack on. After a few years of trying different vitamins, workout regimens, etc... I went to the doctor for a blood panel (2013). Came back with Total Test of 237 ng/dl (attached here).
Was sent to an endo (during next long-term travel assignment)... Who said that my test was no good since it was done at 10AM... and that I had to have it done before 8:30AM. I don't have the results on me, but it came back at just over 300 ng/dl. She said that she didn't feel comfortable prescribing anything since the generally accepted "okay" range was between 275 and 1100 ng/dl... After practically begging her for some help to feel better, she prescribed Androgel (calling it "off label" since she really didn't think I should be taking it)... at one pump a day.
I felt mildly better... I could get through the day without feeling too terrible... but still needed 10+ hours of sleep. My blood tests came in with about 375 ng/dl on the Androgel. I was on it for about 2 years. Mild improvement, but I always thought being 26-28 my levels should be higher... at least in the 600s. Whatever they needed to be to not feel like sh*t anyway.
Over the last year... My endo moved and I kept traveling for work... Saw another GP and Urologist... Who both prescribed blood tests. Came back at around 275 nd/dl... And they said that my natural testosterone may just be low, so they won't prescribe the gel. So I weened myself off and have been off for over a year.
So now I'm overseas... And I've been doing a lot of research. I've made the decision to start pinning... and I've ordered test c and prop (starting with prop and switching to c over the first few weeks following dose protocols here)... as well as aromasin (just in case). I'm having blood work done on Monday (should be avail Tuesday... will include free and total test as well as thyroid and hct) to get a baseline. Will post those results and would love any feedback, but assuming my levels are in the >250 ng/dl range as they have been for years, would like to get to pinning a steady 70mg of test c every 3 days. The goal is to be able to A. improve by quality of life as a whole and B. finally work out without being suicidal and see positive body changes (with diet and carb cycling)... instead of just continuing to get fat.
A few questions:
1. Does anyone here have any experience getting Blood Work in Prague? I had to go to a doctor to get the order here... And she wouldn't let me get the estrogen tested. I'll be able to get back to the States at the end of December so I know I'll be able to get what I need there... I'm just mainly concerned about Spring of next year (as I'm finished here somewhere between April and May).
2. I've seen horror stories about high hemocrit... My options are limited here, again, since getting blood tests are a pain. Just wondering how common it is?
3. I'd like to blast once everything starts to get in balance. How long should I wait? 4 Weeks or so?
Oh, and in case it's necessary... Current States are 30 years old/6'3"/240/25% bf.
Thanks for any insight!