First Time Blood Work Please advise

**UltraFinder** · 03-27-2018, 04:41 PM

I been feeling pretty crappy lately usually on and off. I'm looking to go on full HRT and after reading everything I could here for a few weeks I decided to get my BW done.
I just received my results and as I expected I have low T. On face value, That is easy to determine from just reading it. But, As a whole, It would be great to get some help on other results.
I am:
48 M
6'1
225 lbs
13% BF

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**kelkel** · 03-27-2018, 06:40 PM

Any previous BW to compare this to out of curiousity?
Yes, your T level is abhorent. No wonder you feel like crap. It's usually such a slow progression that it sneaks up on people and often times it's family members or friends that have to point out what should be obvious to us.

You still have production from your pituitary but it's low end. Nothing to the extent that I can say your Primary (testicular failure) or secondary (pituitary failure) with confidence. At your age it's quite likely it's andropause and simply your time for hormone replacement. That said, it's always nice to rule everything out first, such as thyroid, cortisol or prolactin issues or even an adenoma so if you enter into HRT you do so with a clear conscience.

Welcome to the forum

**Youthful55guy** · 03-27-2018, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Any previous BW to compare this to out of curiousity?
Yes, your T level is abhorent. No wonder you feel like crap. It's usually such a slow progression that it sneaks up on people and often times it's family members or friends that have to point out what should be obvious to us.

You still have production from your pituitary but it's low end. Nothing to the extent that I can say your Primary (testicular failure) or secondary (pituitary failure) with confidence. At your age it's quite likely it's andropause and simply your time for hormone replacement. That said, it's always nice to rule everything out first, such as thyroid, cortisol or prolactin issues or even an adenoma so if you enter into HRT you do so with a clear conscience.

Welcome to the forum

I'd add that you should test for SHBG and Free T. We know you will probably be low in Free T, but it's good to know if high (or low) SHBG is making the problem worse. If it is high or low, you may chose customize your treatment approach.

**UltraFinder** · 03-31-2018, 04:14 PM

Abhorent LOL! Well I guess that says it all. I will be addressing that ASAP. I do not have any have any of those types of BW in the past. Just regular BW for physicals from the VA.
You Kelkel and Youthfulguy have sent me on a google whirlwind. I'll be adding those tests you mentioned when I get home. I'm out of town currently.
I do have another question that may belong in another forum but, I'll ask anyway. Lets say I start HRT and successfully get my Test levels in gear and go on a cycle. My future cycle would be 500mg wkly of Test E (same compound as trt) do I add the 500 mg to TRT dose? My thinking...TRT on 200mg then add 500mg cycle on top of that it would add up to 700mg weekly. Is that the proper analysis?

**kelkel** · 03-31-2018, 06:25 PM

Abhorent, yes. Mine was far worse before I initiated TRT. I was as a 59 total T level due to a pituitary adenoma. Shit happens, move on and learn and don't look back.
Re your cycle question, no. 500 would be the total amount. But this is a long time away if you initiate a TRT protocol as it takes time to dial it in with frequent blood work and a competent doctor.

In the meantime, read the "Successful First Cycle" thread in Austinites Educational Articles Database at the top of the AAS Q & A Forum. It will answer most all your questions.

Post up here and let us know how you make out with your blood work, etc please!

**Youthful55guy** · 03-31-2018, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by UltraFinder

Abhorent LOL! Well I guess that says it all. I will be addressing that ASAP. I do not have any have any of those types of BW in the past. Just regular BW for physicals from the VA.
You Kelkel and Youthfulguy have sent me on a google whirlwind. I'll be adding those tests you mentioned when I get home. I'm out of town currently.
I do have another question that may belong in another forum but, I'll ask anyway. Lets say I start HRT and successfully get my Test levels in gear and go on a cycle. My future cycle would be 500mg wkly of Test E (same compound as trt) do I add the 500 mg to TRT dose? My thinking...TRT on 200mg then add 500mg cycle on top of that it would add up to 700mg weekly. Is that the proper analysis?

Holy $#!% batman, that's a lot of testosterone ! This is not TRT. Even at 200 mg/wk, you are pushing the envelope for TRT. I didn't realize you were talking about anabolic steroid use of T. You really need to be talking to the bodybuilders in their forums for advice on controlling E, DHT, and hemoglobin. These are all going to go way out of range in a very short order of time.

**hollowedzeus** · 04-01-2018, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

Holy $#!% batman, that's a lot of testosterone! This is not TRT. Even at 200 mg/wk, you are pushing the envelope for TRT. I didn't realize you were talking about anabolic steroid use of T. You really need to be talking to the bodybuilders in their forums for advice on controlling E, DHT, and hemoglobin. These are all going to go way out of range in a very short order of time.

I think he meant once fully dialed in on his trt regiment that he will add testosterone to bring him to a total of 500-700mg.

He is presuming that 200mg is the starting point for his trt regiment.

Op - try to go through a doctor if possible to get your trt. That way you will be monitored by a proffessional and will be prescribed clean medication fron a reliable source. I cant see you having lots of trouble getting treatment at those levels

**UltraFinder** · 04-02-2018, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by hollowedzeus

I think he meant once fully dialed in on his trt regiment that he will add testosterone to bring him to a total of 500-700mg.

He is presuming that 200mg is the starting point for his trt regiment.

Op - try to go through a doctor if possible to get your trt. That way you will be monitored by a proffessional and will be prescribed clean medication fron a reliable source. I cant see you having lots of trouble getting treatment at those levels

Yes, this

**Youthful55guy** · 04-02-2018, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by hollowedzeus

I think he meant once fully dialed in on his trt regiment that he will add testosterone to bring him to a total of 500-700mg.

He is presuming that 200mg is the starting point for his trt regiment.

Op - try to go through a doctor if possible to get your trt. That way you will be monitored by a proffessional and will be prescribed clean medication fron a reliable source. I cant see you having lots of trouble getting treatment at those levels

I'm still confused. Do you mean bring up your blood levels to 500-700 ng/dL? If so, then that is an attainable goal, but 500-700 mg of T-eth per week is not TRT, nor is it sustainable for very long without severe side-effects.

I'd also not recommend starting at 200 mg/week. This is a very common mistake that is perpetuated by old school doctors that just don't understand modern TRT protocols. First, weekly injection protocols simply do not work week. In order to keep your blood T levels within an acceptable range at the end of the weekly injection cycle, you have to inject a lot more T than is necessary at the beginning of the week to maintain adequate levels. You spend the first half of the week in a super physiological range to keep the later half within range. This is why we recommend splitting the dose up into at least two injections per week (l prefer and every 3 day protocol).

When you split the weekly dose, you can go much lower on the overall weekly dose because you have much more stable blood T levels. You also feel better because there are fewer side-effects to manage. Normally, I recommend starting at 50 mg twice per week (or 40 mg E3D). Then after 6 weeks redo the labs on just prior to the next scheduled injection and see where your blood levels are. Then, if the labs indicate a modification of the dose, you make the change and follow it up in another 6 weeks until you are dialed in. Normally, you never have to go much beyond 120 mg of total T per week when you are on a twice weekly protocol.

**hollowedzeus** · 04-03-2018, 09:07 AM

Im rubbish at explaining sorry.

What i gathered from the ops post is that he is assuming a 200mg of test e per week is a good start to trt (its not, less is more with trt) the goal with this is to have him in normal range

When he wants to blast he will add 500mg of test e. He will be injecting 500-700mg per week of testosterone to put him far above normal levels

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**Youthful55guy** · 04-03-2018, 08:40 PM

Like I said I'm confused with his posts. He originally said "I been feeling pretty crappy lately usually on and off. I'm looking to go on full HRT".

To me this indicates he is not looking to do hormone augmentation. If that's his goal, he should really state that at the beginning. You get the advice that you ask for.