HGH + test or just test based on bloodwork

[frawnz]

I just got my bloodwork back and I'm trying to decide if it's worth pushing forward with my plans for going on a 6 month, 4 IU HGH cycle. I plan on also cycling test at the same time. My IGF-1 levels seem pretty good though, although my testosterone is pretty low:

IGF-1: 289 ng/ml (on a range listed as 117-329)
Testosterone: 351 ng/dl (on a range listed as 280-800)


I'm a 30 year old male, 178 lbs, 5'10". Never done any AAS, test, or anything. I just feel lethargic and unmotivated. My sex drive over the last 2-3 years has noticeably declined. I would really like to feel re-energized, lose my love handles and get back into working out rigorously again.

Based on my blood work, would taking testosterone by itself be productive? I have the money for HGH, but if it's not going to do anything for me since my IGF-1 levels seem pretty normal, I don't want to just throw money away.

[frawnz]

Anyone? I'm probably going to be making my purchases this weekend, so any feedback would be appreciated.

[ScotchGuard]

Your stats? Especially if this is your first cycle.

[frawnz]

I posted em in my first post but:

30 year old male
178 pounds
5'10"
Not sure what my bodyfat % is. If I had to guess, it's around 20% give or take.

[ScotchGuard]

If you're 178lbs with 20% bodyfat I'm assuming you haven't been to the gym in a while. If your body fat's up past 10% - 15% there a higher chance of AAS sides like gynomastia. Your IGF is good but your test looks low. You can either take HGH 5iu/ed to 6iu/ed (work up slowly from 2iu/ed). HGH is a long term compound and it won't give you the energy that you're looking for right up front. The other solution is to go with AAS. If I were you I'd research up a good diet and cardio based workout routine. Get some supplements like thermogenics and get your body fat down to below 15%. It is not recommended that people new to the gym use AAS. What could happen is that your joints, tendons, and ligaments are not strong enough to support the load that your muscles can exert. The AAS will make your muscles grow and get super strong. If your supporting tissues are not sufficiently strong you could tear your tendon right off the bone. It's rare but it does happen. Take your time and get into a good workout routine for at least a year or two. It takes MUCH longer to strengthen your supporting tissues. When you're ready the AAS can be a great experience. If you're not ready it could really mess you up. Good luck.

[frawnz]

Thanks. I didn't want to do the test cycle at all originally, just the HGH. But when I got my blood work back and saw that my IGF-1 levels were pretty normal but my testosterone was low, it made me re-evaluate things.

I used to work out a lot, did P90X twice, etc. Right now though I pretty much just do pushups and pullups. My diet is pretty clean for the most part, but I do like 0 cardio because I have absolutely no energy/willpower to make myself. My sex drive has dropped significantly as well, which combined with the energy levels and love handles that won't go away, led me to HGH.

So ya, it's kind of a catch 22. Don't take test because my bodyfat is too high... but apparently my lack of energy to make myself do cardio and lose that bodyfat is a result of my low levels of testosterone . lol. What about a low dosage of test simply as a means to bring my natural levels to where they should be (as opposed to the kinds of levels a BBer would use)?

[Trueblue]

Thanks. I didn't want to do the test cycle at all originally, just the HGH. But when I got my blood work back and saw that my IGF-1 levels were pretty normal but my testosterone was low, it made me re-evaluate things.

I used to work out a lot, did P90X twice, etc. Right now though I pretty much just do pushups and pullups. My diet is pretty clean for the most part, but I do like 0 cardio because I have absolutely no energy/willpower to make myself. My sex drive has dropped significantly as well, which combined with the energy levels and love handles that won't go away, led me to HGH.

So ya, it's kind of a catch 22. Don't take test because my bodyfat is too high... but apparently my lack of energy to make myself do cardio and lose that bodyfat is a result of my low levels of testosterone. lol. What about a low dosage of test simply as a means to bring my natural levels to where they should be (as opposed to the kinds of levels a BBer would use)?

So is that your back in your avatar? If it is, you look pretty good from behind, and no, Im not gay (anymore, jk, haha). Anyways, At 30 yo with the test levels being what they are, did your doc reccomend HRT? They will usually offer you a testosterone cream, or bi-weekly injections of test-cyp. He will probably start you out at 200mg EOW, and then after a month, recheck your free and total test levels. As to you just doing pushup and pullups and going on a cycle? I think you should hit the gym for at least several months, and hit it hard. And do this before doing ANY AAS, or even before asking your doc to rx test. And also start doing some cardio. Exercise, weight lifting/cardio will raise your natty test levels, for real bro. I would hold off on doing any AAS until you have put some time in at the gym. As to the love handles, the best way to get rid of those is cardio first thing in the morning before you eat ANYTHING, and I mean doing at least 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, whether it be running, bicycling, treadmill, eliptical machine, etc. Get your heart rate up to whatever is suggested for a guy your size and age for fat loss, probably around 150 to 180 BPM, (research this yourself, I could be wrong about the BPM) and keep it there the whole time your doing cardio in the a.m. and you will lose quite a bit of those love handles.
Good luck bro

[Trueblue]

Thanks. I didn't want to do the test cycle at all originally, just the HGH. But when I got my blood work back and saw that my IGF-1 levels were pretty normal but my testosterone was low, it made me re-evaluate things.

I used to work out a lot, did P90X twice, etc. Right now though I pretty much just do pushups and pullups. My diet is pretty clean for the most part, but I do like 0 cardio because I have absolutely no energy/willpower to make myself. My sex drive has dropped significantly as well, which combined with the energy levels and love handles that won't go away, led me to HGH.

So ya, it's kind of a catch 22. Don't take test because my bodyfat is too high... but apparently my lack of energy to make myself do cardio and lose that bodyfat is a result of my low levels of testosterone. lol. What about a low dosage of test simply as a means to bring my natural levels to where they should be (as opposed to the kinds of levels a BBer would use)?

I just re-read your last post, and you asked if a low dose of test would bring your natty levels back up? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! In fact, it would shut down your bodies ability to produce natty test. As I suggested in my last post, as hard as it may seem, give the cardio and weight lifting a good shot, ansd I mean like for at least a few months.
If you decide to start HRT, you will only hinder your bodies ability to make its own test. But if you have never done any AAS, and your levels are that low, then there might be some other underlying condition your not aware of. SDo you drink alcohol daily? are you on any kind of pain meds daily (opiates such as vicodin, oxycontin, morphine). These things can and will lower your natty test levels, I assure you. If you dont do these things, and you do take care of yourself, eat right and live clean, then maybe you need HRT, but thats for your doc to decide bro. I am not a doctor, I am just a guy giving you my opinion based on my personal experience and research that I have done over the years.
I dont haunt this site too often, but if you have any questions you think I can help you with, let me know and I will do my best to answer them. But again, I am no doctor.
Take care

[ScotchGuard]

If you're going to do cardio in the am it's a good idea to have a little protein in your system 30 to 45 minutes before you start. An egg white (i drink mine it gets into the system faster), glass of milk, yogurt, protein drink, etc will jump start your metabolism so you're "warm" before you start your cardio. I use some of that energy supplements from the health food store to get me going when I'm dragging. Once you get up and going the physical exercise will increase your level of test and improve the efficiency of glycogen burn. But sometimes I just have a hard time getting motivated. Sometimes it's an issue of mind over matter. It gets easier once you start. It's the starting that's the bear.

[frawnz]

I wish I could do cardio in the AM, but I work at 430 in the morning and by the time I get home I just can't force myself to do much of anything. I'm going forward with the HGH and will see how that helps. For now, I'm going to leave the test cycle out until I can get into better basic shape. Thanks for the feedback.

[ScotchGuard]

You won't regret doing the HGH. Start slow and get ready for a good long cycle. Hope you feel better soon.