Please I beg you help me...Low Testosterone Levels

[BuffGuy]

Hello, everybody.

I'm an idiot. Please help me. I am so unbelievably worried right now. I am searching this forum for answers, but I would really just hope that people (experienced people) can just answer my questions directly.

OK, so I've done like 4 cycles in the past, all pretty much half-assed. I did do research but I'm pretty sure I messed something up...My last cycle was over a year ago, but ever since I finished that last cycle I noticed that I don't get that hard erections any more...having a really hard time keeping it up...caused a lot of problems with my girlfriend. It gets semi-hard and can't stay up for that long.

It's been over a year since the last cycle and I just finally decided to get my Testosterone levels checked (i.e. blood work). The normal range was 280-800, and my result was only 272!

Now I'm panicking...I don't know what to do. Yes, I *did* run PCT after my last cycle (the 4th one a year ago)...but I did *not* run HCG, only Nolva and Clomid.

So now I have a few questions:

1) Will I ever be able to get my test levels back to normal?

2) How do I do that? What should I do now? (Most important question.)

3) Anyone have similar experiences?

4) Am I screwed?

5) Let's say my test levels never come back to normal. What would the result of that be? I can live with never having kids, but I cannot live with not being able to have proper erections. What do people with low test do? Do they just end up taking exogenous Testosterone their whole lives? If so, how problematic is that? My balls would shrink up then , huh?

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Anyways, I am really scared. Someone please tell me the best case scenario, the worst case scenario, and the most likely scenario.

And should I see a doctor right away? Unfortunately, I don't live in a country which has good doctors, and most of them have absolutely no idea about steroid use amongst body-builders.

Help me!!!!! I already know I'm an idiot for doing everything half-assed, but please don't flame me for that as I already know this. Just please help me and guide me as to what I should do now that I've screwed myself up.

[BuffGuy]

Should I just do Anthony Robert's PCT regime? Which is:

Week Nolvadex HCG Aromasin Vitamin E
1 20mgs/day 500iu/day 20-25mgs/day 1000iu/day
2 20mgs/day 500iu/day 20-25mgs/day 1000iu/day
3 20mgs/day 500iu/day 20-25mgs/day 1000iu/day
4 20mgs/day 20-25mgs/day
5 20mgs/day 20-25mgs/day
6 20mgs/day

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But please take into consideration that it's been over a year since I finished my last cycle. Would it still pay to do this PCT so late in the game? (Also consider the fact that I've done PCT after each of my cycles, but with just Nolva and Clomid, not HCG.)

[66cobra]

If you are that worried and have insurance I would go see an Endo. They will run full blood work on you and find the problem. I just posted in the HRT section for the first time. I am currently trying to have a baby with my wife and have very low test levels 152 to be exact. My Endo said that test levels don't always mean you have low sperm levels. My sperm level was very high. Go see the doctor before you start any HRT program yourself you may do more harm then good.

[plzr8]

buffguy....yes i would recommend running an aggressive pct for 4 weeks and having your bloodwork retested

anthony robert's pct protocol is a fine one to use, but for your case i would bump the nolvadex to 40mg for the first 2-3 weeks

[BuffGuy]

Thanks for your replies! I will then run Anthony Robert's PCT as you said, and Nolvadex (40 mg for 2-3 weeks).

About seeing the Endocronologist...yes, I can see him, but I live in a country in which I don't know if he will be familiar with steroid use amongst body-builders. I'm scared he'll just say something stupid like "just wait it out" instead of doing PCT.

Do you still think I should go see the Endo anyways? Or should I first do PCT aggressively and then do blood tests again?

I have a question: I am fully insured in the sense that they will also pay for my medications that are prescribed by the endocronologist. But would an Endocronologist actually prescribe a PCT regime involving HCG/Clomid/Nolvadex? I have a hard time believing this since these three drugs are only used amongst women patients in the medical world.

Also, let's say my test never returns to normal. Then I would go for HRT? What are the draw-backs of HRT? I guess I would be infertile then, right? But I wouldn't have a problem having erections then right?

[skank]

I would say try the A. Roberts Pct first. The hcg with everything else may do the trick. If there is no improvement after pct then I would see the Endo. You don't have to tell the endo that you used steriods. Just tell him you have low labido and are feeling ***ressed, low energy. That you feel your test levels are low. He will run blood test and go from there. At the very worst you may have to go on TRT. Everything will be ok.

[BuffGuy]

I would say try the A. Roberts Pct first. The hcg with everything else may do the trick. If there is no improvement after pct then I would see the Endo. You don't have to tell the endo that you used steriods. Just tell him you have low labido and are feeling ***ressed, low energy. That you feel your test levels are low. He will run blood test and go from there. At the very worst you may have to go on TRT. Everything will be ok.

You have no idea how reassuring your words are to me. Thank you so very much.

I know only the bare basics about TRT...but I guess I will look into it...

And yes, I have low libidi, low mood, low energy, the whole shabang...

But I will do A Robert's PCT first.

Thanks for your advice!!!! So very much!

[66cobra]

My endo doctor just prescribed me Arimidex and said that it would be prescribed "off label" meaning that it is being prescribed and used for not what it was intended to use for. It can't hurt if you go see an Endo first. See my post in the Hrt section of this forum. I am kinda in the same boat as you.

[BuffGuy]

My endo doctor just prescribed me Arimidex and said that it would be prescribed "off label" meaning that it is being prescribed and used for not what it was intended to use for. It can't hurt if you go see an Endo first. See my post in the Hrt section of this forum. I am kinda in the same boat as you.

The problem is that the doctor would end up reporting this to my employer who pays for my insurance. And my employer might take punitive action for steroid use. I could beg my doctor not to tell anyone, and he might even listen, but it's a risk. (I don't live in America or Europe so that's just the way it works in the country I live in.)

I'm debating right now whether to see the endocronologist straight away or do the PCT again using HCG.

[BuffGuy]

I have a question: Would an Endocronologist give me HCG if I presented with this problem? The Endocronologist did his residency in America and practised there for many years. Would he know that HCG is good to use to bring my balls back to life, or would he simply laugh at the idea and say that HCG is for women? The reason I ask this question is that I had a real bad experience once with a GP doctor who laughed at the idea that Nolvadex and Clomid could be used by men.

[BigJames]

My advise. in this order:

1) See a doctor because the problem may not be related to using gear. There is a remarkably high occurence of men with pituatary issues that go untreated. I have low test (similar to yours) but I had this without gear. Turned out to bea pituatary problem.

2) Assuming everything checks out ok with your pituatary and other hormone levels and the doc does not recommend anything like TRT / HRT, then I would try the PCT.

3) Lastly, why not throw some tribulus in the mix for a few weeks; 2-3g ED for 4 weeks might help jumpstart things.

The most important consideration is that your predicament MIGHT not be due to gear. My problem is a small gorwth on my pituatary that releases slightly too much prolactin (which affects Test levels) and inhibits my feedback loop (i.e. LH and FSH levels are not increased to make up for the lack of Test). This would be something you would want to determine before self medicating in my opinion.

[66cobra]

Ok you stated in your first post that you have not used in about a year. Every thing should be out of your system. If you used deca than it my still show in a test. But I dought your endo will do a drug test on you for AS. But if he does you might still test positive for deca. Second mention you used steroids would be a big no no. Just play dumb say I lift weights to stay in shape if he asks. It is none of his business. Just tell him that you are here because you feel like crap, ***ressed etc. He will draw blood and run tests for everything. Don't get so paranoid it going to be ok.

[takedownII]

hey bro, big james put it the best, he's right on. go see the doc first, find out if this is even gear related, there is a good chance it isn't. if everything checks out, see if the doc has any reccomendations, and if he doesn't, then thats when i would do things my own way, i.e. aggressive pct and maybe tribulus.

good luck bro, and know there are alot worse things that could be happening to you right now, believe me!

tkdwnII

[BuffGuy]

good luck bro, and know there are alot worse things that could be happening to you right now, believe me!

Thanks for the words of reassurance, bro. You have no idea: I have become SO ***ressed after getting this lab result back. Ended up taking a day off of work just because I couldn't face anyone.

Anyways, thanks everybody for your advice. Maybe I'll end up seeing that endo

EDIT: Why does "d-e-p" turn into stars? Since when is that a bad word?

[BuffGuy]

You know what, I've decided to go to the Endo guy first. No need to f**k up my body any more than I already have.

[BuffGuy]

After reading this site for a very long time, I realize that TRT isn't as bad as it sounds. Although I'm going to see the Endo guy in a couple days, I've already formulated somewhat of a plan that I can live with. Let me know what you guys think:

The first thing I'll do is go to a Sperm Bank and save my sperm in case I need them in the future. Then I'll jump on TRT. I'll take Injections of Test as prescribed by my Endo guy, and I'll get him to also give me HCG to keep my balls "full" and "plump".

I think this covers all my bases right? If I ever want to have a child, then I got the sperm bank to rely on. For maintaining erections and libido, I have the test injections. And to keep my ball size, I have HCG. Seems like my bases are covered.

What do you guys think?

[BuffGuy]

Dude, my endo guy was very nice but he kept saying it is in the mind (i.e. performance anxiety), trying to indicate that 273 might be normal. He ordered me to get my free test levels checked as well as Thyroid levels.

I think it will be a mini-war to convince him that there is actually a problem. I think if I ever need to get TRT, it will be a b1tch to convince him of that.

[skank]

Dude, my endo guy was very nice but he kept saying it is in the mind (i.e. performance anxiety), trying to indicate that 273 might be normal. He ordered me to get my free test levels checked as well as Thyroid levels.

I think it will be a mini-war to convince him that there is actually a problem. I think if I ever need to get TRT, it will be a b1tch to convince him of that.

If your thyroid levels are ok and he won't do anything about the low test levels than see another Doctor. Are you going to try the aggressive pct if he says your ok?

[BuffGuy]

If your thyroid levels are ok and he won't do anything about the low test levels than see another Doctor. Are you going to try the aggressive pct if he says your ok?

I don't know. Still debating.

I asked him about HCG; he said it is a possibility but did not elaborate. I think I still have to wait and see how cooperative he will be.

[phatkid77]

mmm, how can we tell if our levels are low from cycles??

i figured i am secondary hypogonadism, so restart isnt option??

my doc is doing cyp "off label" for me..he says....

how much does prolactin affect testosterone...

mine is 10ug.....??

phats