Confirmed low testosterone.

[iEKOS]

Hi guys,

I did a full blood work up through the docs. Results came showing my test is low.

I'm 38, good diet, 23% body fat, gym 5 days a week. 20min HIIT cardio then heavy weights average total 1.5hrs per gym session.

Some of you may have seen my log of loosing lots of weight.

I was advised to have my test checked and it seems to be a bit low. I don't know the measurement names but I'm 8.9 and it should be 10± for my age.

He feeling of hitting a brick wall could be due to this.

Should I run a test only cycle? If so what? If no then what should I do to bring it up? My doc wants to send me to a specialist which is going to take 6 weeks. This means more tests first.

This will be my first real jab if I do it and I want to do it right with guidance.

Thank you.

[kelkel]

Can you post up your blood work? Always good to have more sets of eyes looking at it. There could be several things causing this that your doc missed. No offense, but they do miss things particularly when it comes to hormones as most have almost no training in them. That said, if legitimately low and not fixable then you should first and foremost consider hormone replacement therapy. This by itself can and will make an amazing difference in how you feel as well as with results in the gym. Assuming that your doc can put together a proper protocol.

A cycle would be a short lived fix for a possible permanent problem. Lets investigate your low T and fix it if possible before cycling is considered, as that comes with a whole different set of problems.

Look forward to seeing your BW if possible.

[iEKOS]

Ok, sounds like a plan.

Ill get this from my doc and post back soon.

Thank you.

PS. I have HGH but not taken any yet. Learning more first.

[kelkel]

It would be a good idea to start getting copies of all your BW from this point forward. Great way to track progress/changes especially if TRT is initiated in the future.

[iEKOS]

Here is my blood work:

[OingoBoingo]

Check out the Finding a Physician sticky for a list of tests you might want to get.

Even your last test suggests more tests be done.

[iEKOS]

Check out the Finding a Physician sticky for a list of tests you might want to get.

Even your last test suggests more tests be done.

Yep it does but in 6 dam weeks Am I just going to have to be patient?

[kelkel]

You should be. Be sure to get good, full BW like the list you were referred to. Many things can impact testosterone levels and could be fixable.

[iEKOS]

Ok, I will be patient and wait. I will find the recommended test BW and report back in 6 weeks (estimated), unless I pay for a private medical. I shall check it out.

I have HGH but haven't taken any yet. Only cause I don't know enough. How does HGH play with test if I'm low. I suppose what I'm asking is, if I am low and I have a test only cycle recommended by you vets then would I need to take HGH? I bought the real deal HGH in excitement as my skin, hair and nails are bad and a friend took some 6 month ago with similar problems and WOW, his skin looks great AND lost some belly fat. I'm looking forward to taken some BUT only if you guys give me the thumbs up...

[OingoBoingo]

If you have low Testosterone, getting on TRT should raise your IGF-1.

I wouldn't start experimenting with the HGH until you've dialed in your TRT (if that's the way to go). Doing so now could just complicate things.

At this point, concentrate on getting the needed blood work. Check out the Finding a Physician sticky for a list of tests you'll want to get. You'll know a lot more once you have the results.

Then, if something is fixable, fix it!

If it turns out you are a candidate for TRT, there will be a process of finding the correct dose for you. We call that "dialling in".

Experimenting with HGH or a Testosterone only blast will only complicate things for you and your doctor. There will be plenty of time for experimenting once you have things sorted out.

Good luck!

[iEKOS]

Thanks to both of you for some great advice. I shall get the BW done and be patient.

[iEKOS]

Hi Guys,

Had my second test results, and I'm shocked to find its high. Last test was 8.8nmol and 6 weeks later its 14.2nmol. Does it go up and down that much? WTF????







What are your thoughts?

[kelkel]

Unfortunately it's improved but by no means high. Look at the scale. Mid-range would be 23-24 or so for serum T. Your other numbers are not bad. Would have been nice to see cortisol and a thyroid panel. It they were in order I'd probably have to guess that it's probably just time for replacement.

How do you feel iekos?

[iEKOS]

Honestly and the truth, I fell ok,

I went through a phase were I couldn't sleep, I felt tired allot and joint pains. I've taken more days out of the gym. From 6 days to 4. And since, I feel better.

However, the fat loss seems to have stopped. The gains have slowed too. I'm 38 and I really do push hard. But its slow progress. Remember, I lost nearly 50lb this year (3.5 stone) so i have done well. If I push any harder in cardio, I'm in pain in the knees and I feel feked.

I can get more test done. Doc is ok with it. So, shall I get a cortisol and a thyroid panel done?

Either way, TRT is something I will consider only if you give me the thumbs up.

[Low Testosterone]

Would be nice to know your Free T number. That may be why you don't feel bad, it may be higher than you might think. Your SHBG was fairly low, so Free T could be up, probably not high but maybe enough to where you don't feel terrible.

If you take your numbers and convert them to ng/dl (most common unit) it comes to approximately 250 on your first reading and 410 on your second. Free t is often about 2% of total, but if SHBG is low enough it can be higher.

[kelkel]

Good points by LT. Free T is what matters and as stated, you're not binding that much so maybe it's why you feel ok. That said, are you happy just feeling ok? I remember when I was down to a 59 T level I thought I was fine. It's amazing what you adapt to.

Get the other labs and your FT and go from there.

[iEKOS]

Alrite.

I have a docs appointment on Monday morning. He will do the tests I need. He seems great like that.

So, please confirm exactly what test I need

Free T
Cortisol
Thyroid

Anything else?

PS. Really appreciate your help.

[OingoBoingo]

Check out the Finding a Physician sticky for the list of specific tests you will want to get.

[iEKOS]

Check out the Finding a Physician sticky for the list of specific tests you will want to get.

I can't find the sticky. Can you link please?

EDIT. never mind, I've found it.