Low testosterone / hypogonadism - OTC/Peptide Restart
Hello everyone,
I am starting this thread to present a problem I am facing in the hopes that someone can provide some useful insight.
I am 28 year old male, used to be very active with rockclimbing, mountainclimbing and weightlifting. Up until three years ago I had all the signs of healthy levels of testosterone. Strength, libido, mood. Libido was in fact through the roof and I suffered from little to none refractory period. I would get multiple erections a day and could "perform" several times in a row without somuch as a hint of fatigue. I was a happy young man.
Then something changed. I started experiencing mood swings and the signs of fluctuating test levels such as intermittent ED, acne outbreaks (never had them before). At this time I was referred to several psychiatrists as I thought the problem could be stress. I was placed on SSRI which aside from enhancing the problem served no poblem. The problems persisted. I never used AAS but please continue reading as the following details and protocol could be helpful regardless of this fact.
I then did several tests in the next years the results of which are here listed (I do not have access to the entire documentation as I am abroad right now except for one blood panel)
April 2014 - testosterone: 9,56 ng/ml [956 ng/dl if you covert the measurement units] (1,75-7,81) LH: 14,56 mIU/ml (1,24-8,62);
Estradiol 43 pg/ml (20-75)
August 2014 - testosterone: 6,70 ng/ml (1,75-7,81) LH: 13,56 mIU/ml (1,24-8,62);
Estradiol N/A
February 2015 - testosterone 2,58 ng/ml (1,75-7,81) LH: 3 mIU/ml (1,24-8,62);
Estradiol N/A
April 2015 (after a week of abstinence from sexual activity and exercise)
Testosterone: 16,30 nmol/L (8-42) = 461 ng/dl
FSH 4,19 (1.37-13.58)
LH 2,20 (1,8-8.16)
Estradiol 19 pg/ml (10-50)
SHBG 25 nmol/L (10-50)
PRL 251 (50-400)
Albumin 4,5g/dl (3.5-5)
At this point testicular volume was 15ml each.
Then I moved abroad at the situation worsened.
1 April 2016
Testosterone: 273ng/dl
LH 4.3
Prolactin 255
No ranges given (UK NHS)
All the symptoms worsened with testicular volume diminishing. Rough calculations put me at 10ml bilateral.
* * *
I tried to contact endos and doctors and all have declined to help me on the counts that the stupid test done without sex or exercise put me above the lower threshold.
My diagnosis is some form of primary hypogonadism which I tried to compensate for with increased LH but eventually the levels settled at an all time low (desensitizing of leydig cells/pituitary?)
I have not tried to perform a PCT for two reasons. The first is that the use of HCG which could counteract the testicular atrophy would disrupt an already injured HPTA. I fear it would hinder any form of restoration. I will suggest a low course of nolvadex or clomid to the next endocrinologist I see but I fear that the idea will be rejected.
My attempts so far:
***
- I have been running two months of the following combination of peptides in the hopes of offsetting the decline in physical condition and restore LH signalling:
4x day CJC-1295 no DAC + GHRP 2 100mcg/100mcg
1x day DSIP 300mcg as it has been showed that it can activate an increase in LH signalling by interacting with the neurocircuitry of the HPTA.
OTC supplements:
2x/day triazole (total 2 caps)
1x/day vitamin D 10,000iu
2x/day DAA 3g total
1x/day multivitamin
1x/day ZMA (total 2 caps at night. Brand ON)
1xday B6 long lasting 500mg
3x day huperzine-A
12mg daily Boron
1 capsule ECGC
For ED
L-citrulline 6g/day
L-Arginine 2g/day
The peptides have done their magic and I experienced a fantastic weight drop and a general body recomposition which has been going on until now. My mood has increased and my muscle tone has improved. I look like a healthy muscular guy while I have the testosterone of a 90 year old....
I have also 100mcg of tripoterelin to try.
***
The goal:
I would like to avoid TRT although I might have no options.
My peptide run was designed to help me avoid the aesthetics of having low testosterone but there is one added goal in my mind.
Peptides work by stimulating endogenous stimulation of GH and IGF-1. The ECGC and Huperzine A I take are designed to reduce somatostatin in order to greatly enhance the effects of the peptides pulsation. I have seen the effects of this cycle and can vouch for its efficacy. Abs started showing by the end of month 1 and the process is still ongoing.
The DSIP is also a proven somatostatin inhibitor and ever since introducing it to the stack I have seen an improvement in body composition.
However, as far as I know the endogenous GH does not only affect muscle tissue but all tissues in the body. Logic would suggest that all tissues in the HPTA should be affected including the leydig cells in the testicles. If this is the case my thinking is that if I manage to keep my LH elevated for as long as possible I could stimulate the body to make use of the elevated GH/IGF-1 to restore my axis. I know it sounds desperate and stupid but I am desperate. Using ED medication at 28 is something I don't hope for anyone.
Anyways, I am currently at day 10 of my 2nd month of peptides and started the OTC regime in full (as described) since the beginning of the second month. DSIP was added 10 days ago. My next blood test will be on the 15th of April and the next in May.
Any suggestions, ideas and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I know it is not steroid related but please consider these reasons behind me posting:
- you guys have a combined understanding of HPTA workings than most endos and knowledge of many non-standard techniques to raise testosterone levels;
- my primary hypogonadism could be something steroid users would be looking at after long cycles without HCG and consequent testicular atrophy. If it helps please consider me as an ex bodybuilder who after years of AAS use has primary hypogonadism and hopes to restart without going on TRT.
I would greatly appreciate any response.
Thanks
P.S. It would also be helpful to see what kind of LH levels are normal in my age group in the morning on an empty stomach. I could provide me with a baseline. The ranges are too wide to help in understanding my values.