21 and starting TRT

I found out back when I was 18 that I was diagnosed with hypogonadism. My levels were low at 286 for my total testosterone and my free was also low. The only thing the doctors would do for me is a 100 mg shot once a month of test cyp so I took my first shot and started reading online how this was a bad idea. When I brought this idea to my doctor to change to weekly shots I was denied and could not find any doctor to prescribe me. It was determined my low t was from concussions in football that caused a pituitary problem. I was checked for tumors and ran so many tests. So long story short I stopped after my first shot because I knew once a month shots would make me feel worse. I'm 21 now and after living the past 3 years with low t I'm taking matters into my own hands. I got blood tests done last week that show my test is still low but doctors refuse to help me. I'm going to start self medicating and I am on the search for a good supplier. Any advice is appreciated. Please don't tell me how I shouldn't go on this early, it's been 3 long years with low t and I have made my choice to stop living in a zero sex drive, nonmotivated life. Thanks guys.

Where are you from and what kind of doctors have you been too?

Tennessee I've been to multiple gp's, multiple endocrinologist, urologists, neurologists, damn near everyone. My levels fall in the "normal range" now even though i'm at the bottom bottom end. So even though I was diagnosed at 18 and they've rose to 300ish total t they now don't even think I need trt.

If anyone knows where I could find a doctor, in the Chattanooga Tennessee area or buying test cyp online and I will monitor my own bloodwork, all comments are appreciated.

You need to find a doctor that treats you correctly, self-medicating should not be necessary.

You need to find a endocrinologist specialized in andrology. I would email prospective doctors explaining your diagnostic and the protocol prescribed that you don't agree with, asking for help in a better protocol that fixes your symptoms. Yes, you need to say which symptoms are you having, they wont treat asymptomatic hypogonadism.

That's my goal right now but it sure isn't easy being 21. They think that was doing a cycle, but I have never touch any type of ped's. What's the best way to find a doctor?

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

That's my goal right now but it sure isn't easy being 21. They think that was doing a cycle, but I have never touch any type of ped's. What's the best way to find a doctor?

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Well, you have to be firm and assertive. Many doctors have a website, or at least a bio page where they work.

Try google and look for "A4M Doctor Finder" and search by zip code. It may be a place to start.

https://lowtcenter.com/locations/chattanooga-4/
Theres a low t center in your area.
Never had experiences on this though. Perhaps others can chime in.

Continue searching for different Urologists. When I needed TRT, I went to an endo and she said most endos specialize only in metabolic diseases like diabetes. Most of them don't know much about TRT. She referred me to a Urologist. Keep searching, don't give up.

Good luck

Thanks for the replies guys, all comments are appreciated

any more input?

any more input?

so here's the latest update: recently got checked after 2 years since my last testosterone was tested. Last time it was at 280, it is now at 450, and my doctor wants to try clomid to get my natural test going again. He agrees with me it's low but doesn't want to do shots because it's going to shut me down. What do you all think about clomid? is it worth a shot? I figured my test would have come up from 2 years ago but I still just don't have much of a sex drive. Input? Thanks guys.

Do you know what your free T level is? I don't see a problem with trying clomid at all to see if if will elevate your endogenous T levels. Issue will be will they remain at a higher level when you stop the clomid. Request some low dose Cialis from your doctor as well at 5 or 10 mgs. per day.

that was also my concern which I brought up, told him it's been two years and it's only come up from 280 to 450. Why the cialis?

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

that was also my concern which I brought up, told him it's been two years and it's only come up from 280 to 450. Why the cialis?

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You mentioned a low sex drive. Cialis (in short) improves blood flow to smooth muscles (think penis here) which when combined with stimuli (hot woman) will help to greatly improve erectile ability.

Got some results back today
Fsh 4.1
Lh 2.7
Estradiol 36
Shbg 30
Free test 98.8
Total test 439

It's not that I can't get an erection, it's that I just don't have the drive. If I'm put in the situation with a girl I can still get it up

Do you guys think a restart could somehow work with my LH being so low

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

Do you guys think a restart could somehow work with my LH being so low

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Probably not. You mentioned a possible head injury from football. head injuries (particularly whiplash) is a fairly common cause of low T. It's not my problem, but my original TRT doc specialized in this type of disorder and I learned a lot from him about it. Unfortunately, you will probably need a lifetime of TRT to maintain a healthy sex life and feel normal. Your problem is probably that the signal from the hypothalamus (a part of the lower brain) is not getting to the pituitary to release LH and FSH. That signal, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), is released into a capillary plexus that connects the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. If that plexus is damaged by a head injury, the releasing hormone may not be getting to the pituitary. In an MRI, your pituitary will appear normal, but it's just not getting the signal to release it's contents (or enough of a signal). With low levels of LH the Ledigcells in the tactical do not get their signal to make Testosterone. Bottom line is that a "restart' will not fix this type of problem.

I just want to reiterate too that you made a VERY GOOD decision to walk away from a doc that prescribes monthly shots of what I'm assuming is T-cyp. And then only 100 mg per month??? The guy should have his medical license revoked. That amount at that frequency will only serve to screw up what little natural T production you currently have.

Kel made a good suggestion to seek out a A4M Doctor. Be aware that many of them do not take insurance, so it may be an expensive endeavor. Unfortunately, if you go through normal medical channels, you often end up with a doc that knows nothing about male hormone replacement and that may be worse than not treating, as you discovered with your first doc. In my case, I saw a A4M Doc for a couple years (paid out of pocket) and he got me on a great program. At the same time I kept my family doc informed of what I was doing and she monitored me with additional tests and witnessed the medical benefits of what I was doing. After a couple of years I approached her to take over the program and she felt comfortable enough to do it, but that was several thousand dollars later.

I know this is a lot to digest. Ask questions and be careful of filtering the responses. Some guys think they know how to do TRT right, but some of the stuff I read hear and elsewhere makes me cringe.

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

so here's the latest update: recently got checked after 2 years since my last testosterone was tested. Last time it was at 280, it is now at 450, and my doctor wants to try clomid to get my natural test going again. He agrees with me it's low but doesn't want to do shots because it's going to shut me down. What do you all think about clomid? is it worth a shot? I figured my test would have come up from 2 years ago but I still just don't have much of a sex drive. Input? Thanks guys.

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Clomid might be helpful, it works by selectively inhibiting Estradiol negative feedback on the hypothalamus/pituitary. E is a very potent component of negative feedback in both men and women. Clomid may help to amplify the GnRH signal and the response of the pituitary to the signal. However, some guys just don't tolerate clomid well and have intolerable side-effects (mostly high E symptoms). My experience is that if you limit the dose to about 12.5 mg per day (1/4 of a standard 50 mg tablet), the side-effects are minimal. I tried it as an experiment to replace HCG in my protocol, but I stopped because I just felt better with HCG.

Thank you for the replies. Youthful55Guy, I tried telling my new doctor this, and I don't have much faith in the clomid because my pituitary is not sending those signals. So I really don't want to waste 3 months on clomid just for my levels to fall back down and i'm feeling shitty again. I do feel slightly better than I did 2 years ago when my total test was 280, but I know i'm still not feeling good. The hardest part is being 21 and finding a doctor. Any low t center or anti aging clinic will not take anyone under 25. It's damn near impossible to find a doctor that will listen to you at 21. If anyone could please point in the direction to buy test cyp online I am going to start giving myself shots until I can find a doctor.

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

Thank you for the replies. Youthful55Guy, I tried telling my new doctor this, and I don't have much faith in the clomid because my pituitary is not sending those signals. So I really don't want to waste 3 months on clomid just for my levels to fall back down and i'm feeling shitty again. I do feel slightly better than I did 2 years ago when my total test was 280, but I know i'm still not feeling good. The hardest part is being 21 and finding a doctor. Any low t center or anti aging clinic will not take anyone under 25. It's damn near impossible to find a doctor that will listen to you at 21. If anyone could please point in the direction to buy test cyp online I am going to start giving myself shots until I can find a doctor.

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I don't think the site sponsor wants us to discuss sources in an open forum. Monitors correct me if I'm wrong. However, I can tell you that the stuff is readily available, inexpensive, and easy to get. I always keep a stash on hand in case I run out. In fact that happened to me this last week. I was so busy with work that I neglected to order a refill of my prescribed T in time and am currently using from my stash.

Just be careful that you are buying from a reputable source and getting the real stuff. Hard to tell and there are a lot of scams out there. Shoot me a PM and I'll let you know my source. I found mine by posting in the steroid forum and asking if any bodybuilders would share their trusted sources via PM. Also, if you are going to do this on your own, make sure you do a ton of research and filter the information you get. Some guys claim they know what they are doing, but..... See my recent thread on my 2 cents worth.

I clicked on the steroid link and I can't seem to find a forum there

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

I don't think the site sponsor wants us to discuss sources in an open forum. Monitors correct me if I'm wrong. However, I can tell you that the stuff is readily available, inexpensive, and easy to get. I always keep a stash on hand in case I run out. In fact that happened to me this last week. I was so busy with work that I neglected to order a refill of my prescribed T in time and am currently using from my stash.

Just be careful that you are buying from a reputable source and getting the real stuff. Hard to tell and there are a lot of scams out there. Shoot me a PM and I'll let you know my source. I found mine by posting in the steroid forum and asking if any bodybuilders would share their trusted sources via PM. Also, if you are going to do this on your own, make sure you do a ton of research and filter the information you get. Some guys claim they know what they are doing, but..... See my recent thread on my 2 cents worth.

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I pm'd you

Why do you say your LH is low? Do you have further labs showing LH values?

You dont know if clomid will work unless you try it, things could have changed slightly, or the first diagnose for head trauma could be incorrect. I would try it, no doubt!

No need to be in a rush, you have your whole life to deal with this.

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

Why do you say your LH is low? Do you have further labs showing LH values?

You dont know if clomid will work unless you try it, things could have changed slightly, or the first diagnose for head trauma could be incorrect. I would try it, no doubt!

No need to be in a rush, you have your whole life to deal with this.

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Yes I posted labs earlier. Thanks for your opinion but I won't be trying the clomid

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Originally Posted by GRexMoore

Yes I posted labs earlier. Thanks for your opinion but I won't be trying the clomid

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BB brings up a good point.

The problem with your earlier labs is that you did not post the laboratory's normal ranges. You need to post these whenever you post hormone data. Often different labs can differ considerably in their normal ranges due to differences in methodologies.

I mentioned that it could be head trauma related, not that it was. Knowing you LH relative to the lab ranges would be helpful in this regard.

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

BB brings up a good point.

The problem with your earlier labs is that you did not post the laboratory's normal ranges. You need to post these whenever you post hormone data. Often different labs can differ considerably in their normal ranges due to differences in methodologies.

I mentioned that it could be head trauma related, not that it was. Knowing you LH relative to the lab ranges would be helpful in this regard.

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Yes I see everyones concern about it all but I've made my choice and I will be self administering shots and keeping up with bloodwork

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Originally Posted by Youthful55guy

BB brings up a good point.

The problem with your earlier labs is that you did not post the laboratory's normal ranges. You need to post these whenever you post hormone data. Often different labs can differ considerably in their normal ranges due to differences in methodologies.

I mentioned that it could be head trauma related, not that it was. Knowing you LH relative to the lab ranges would be helpful in this regard.

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Plus, LH have a pulsatile wave pattern, for better assessment multiple labs are required.

Going with UGL test for TRT is not really smart, too much variability. But you are an adult, you can make your decision, good or bad.

Just dont understand why you post and ask for help, just for a few days later to be asking for sources.... wait, maybe I do understand!

Good luck OP.

I understand your reasoning for not doing the clomid, not saying I agree, I don't know enough about it but it makes sense. You said it is a pituitary problem. Perhaps you could see a neurologist or one of those hospital systems that practices integrated medicine, like Mayo (but not Mayo they are way to conservative). The answer seems to be to get good medical care lined up for the rest of your life.