Aging too quickly...

[ConArmas]

*Accountability pics added in post 77*


*RANGES ADDED*
I am a brand, spanking newb to posting, although I have lurked and learned alot in the last several weeks.

I am 44 years old, 6' 1", 210#. I have been tired and moody for so long, I can't remember when it started. I am concerned that I do have a Low T issue, along with other things, but am quite concerned about the possibility of having more mood swings and/or agression than I already have. I sometimes feel like a moody bitch--like I am having periods too...
I also have stubborn belly weight gain in the last several years.
Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated.

My recent test numbers from Quest are as follows:
Test Total: 364 ng/dL (250-1100)
Test free: 60.4 pg/mL (46-224)
Test bioavail: 124.2 ng/dL (110-575)
SHBG: 24 nmol/L (9-45)
Albumin, serum: 4.5 g/dL (3.6-5.1)
Estradiol - E2: 33 pg/mL (<52)

TSH (hi sens, 3rd gen) 2.86 mIU/L (0.40-4.50)
Vitamin D 25: 26 ng/mL (30-100) [noted as low]
IGF-I: 213 ng/mL (50-303)

[JD250]

Can you edit your post and add the ranges?

[steroid.com 1]

JD is rightl edit your post and put in the ranges. But from the 10,000 foot level you are probably low normal presenting with symptoms.

What's your libido like? Wake up with morning wood?

You Thyroid is working hard; did you get Free T3 and T4 tested?

We'll know more when you post ranges.

[lifter65]

you need to get a full thyroid lab done including free t3 and rt3

[flatscat]

You have come to the right place.

And, if you can work out your period week with your wife (if you are married) that would be epic -

You look low for your age (but normal according to most quacks) you will get plenty of good advise here.

Good luck bro

[steroid.com 1]

[QUOTE=flatscat;5674689]

And, if you can work out your period week with your wife (if you are married) that would be epic -

Brilliant!

Was just thinking about you Flats. Haven't see you here in a few...

[flatscat]

been missing this place and the good bros here - three kids in little league, now two in allstars practice or game every night - and work picking up has left little time to spend with you guys - its gonna ease up here in a week or so.

[steroid.com 1]

been missing this place and the good bros here - three kids in little league, now two in allstars practice or game every night - and work picking up has left little time to spend with you guys - its gonna ease up here in a week or so.

That's all good stuff man; happy for you!

[zaggahamma]

trt will improve your symptoms not make them worse bro...

ftr, because its becomin a recent theme lately, for myself...i have never pointed any behavior/anger issue on pre trt hormones or after trt if i've been a dcik then its cuz i wanted to be...be responsible for your acts...the devil made me do it doesnt cut it

my.02

[lifter65]

before i got on trt, i would flip out over nothing, when i started feeling good i was a very fun person to be around, unfortunately the trt doesnt work anymore.. lol damn it

[JD250]

JPK.....I understand what your saying, if you are in a bad mood and you act out in a hostile way then it IS your responsibility.........I think what I hear some people saying and I know it was true of me is the MOODINESS that we experienced before TRT, when hormones are severely out of whack it can make you moody enough to be short with people, it can cause you to have such a lack of confidence that you lose respect for yourself and others because you just dont give a fvck anymore, and sometimes the physical pain coupled with the emotional and phsycological misperceptions of ones self can create some awfully dark demons........these demons are real and cant be controlled just by willing them away or controlling yourself.......acting out in a hostile way is not what I'm talking about.......I'm talking about things that are deeper than simply learning to control your temper.......hormone balance restores your mind as much as it does your body.

Lifter 65........not sure what to make of your post....are you serious or just messin around? I hope your TRT does work for you.

[rebelstate]

also ment to add you might have trouble finding a doc to prescribe with your levels being low normal..

[lifter65]

JPK.....I understand what your saying, if you are in a bad mood and you act out in a hostile way then it IS your responsibility.........I think what I hear some people saying and I know it was true of me is the MOODINESS that we experienced before TRT, when hormones are severely out of whack it can make you moody enough to be short with people, it can cause you to have such a lack of confidence that you lose respect for yourself and others because you just dont give a fvck anymore, and sometimes the physical pain coupled with the emotional and phsycological misperceptions of ones self can create some awfully dark demons........these demons are real and cant be controlled just by willing them away or controlling yourself.......acting out in a hostile way is not what I'm talking about.......I'm talking about things that are deeper than simply learning to control your temper.......hormone balance restores your mind as much as it does your body.

Lifter 65........not sure what to make of your post....are you serious or just messin around? I hope your TRT does work for you.

how true you are in that first paragraph, but yeah im serious hope to get it straightened out soon though

[zaggahamma]

Jd
Well said
i just dont like the stigma of roid rage wether it b from steroid abuse or trt

[rebelstate]

I am a brand, spanking newb to posting, although I have lurked and learned alot in the last several weeks.

I am 44 years old, 6' 1", 210#. I have been tired and moody for so long, I can't remember when it started. I am concerned that I do have a Low T issue, along with other things, but am quite concerned about the possibility of having more mood swings and/or agression than I already have. I sometimes feel like a moody bitch--like I am having periods too...
I also have stubborn belly weight gain in the last several years.
Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated.

My recent test numbers from Quest are as follows:
Test Total: 364 ng/dL
Test free: 60.4 pg/mL
Test bioavail: 124.2 ng/dL
SHBG: 24 nmol/L
Albumin, serum: 4.5 g/dL
Estradiol - E2: 33 pg/mL

TSH (hi sens, 3rd gen) 2.86 mIU/L
Vitamin D 25: 26 ng/mL
IGF-I: 213 ng/mL

with a test level of 364..i bet you are out of luck for ins paying for it..might try one of those anti aging clinics or search docs, my ins level for coverage is below 300 and i tested at 256 at age 44 and now im age 46, doing 200 test cyp a week for co pay of 10-bucks a month..i have a freind at work on the throid pill and it works great for him ..might have that looked at.....

[JD250]

I hear ya Bro, that stigma will cause some people to be scared of the thing that could give them their life back, and make the battle to take TRT mainstream all that much harder. I'm with ya JPK......it's righteous indignation. gdevine made a good point in another thread.......most of the bad reputation isnt from TRT.....it's from ABUSE.

Keep up the good work.

[ConArmas]

Thanks for the comments so far. I should have emphasized the *moody* differently. It is really a mood swing thing; highs and lows.
I am not an agressive person naturally. I just can't figure out why I am in such a funk.
I do have a low libido for the most part. I never get random wood anymore : (
The MD that I went to for this year's physical ordered these after our first visit chat. He is an anti-aging style practitioner.
My insurance only covers a once-a-year physical. Everything else is out-of-pocket. (major medical policy)
Any treatment that I seek out will have to be on my own dime, and I am far from well off.

[zaggahamma]

Thanks for the comments so far. I should have emphasized the *moody* differently. It is really a mood swing thing; highs and lows.
I am not an agressive person naturally. I just can't figure out why I am in such a funk.
I do have a low libido for the most part. I never get random wood anymore : (
The MD that I went to for this year's physical ordered these after our first visit chat. He is an anti-aging style practitioner.
My insurance only covers a once-a-year physical. Everything else is out-of-pocket. (major medical policy)
Any treatment that I seek out will have to be on my own dime, and I am far from well off.

this makes me moody for one truth be told so i try not to kick the dog for biz being slow much

[JD250]

If you can get your doc to prescribe it your insurance might pay for it, try it, if nothing else you could have your script filled at a compounding pharmacy which is much cheaper than what I pay at my clinic.........I understand money being tight........but to be truthful, at this point in my treatment, I will ALWAYS find a way to come up with that extra cash, it's my health and I love having good health from my TRT protocol.....it's important.

BTW.....I would say there is a good possibility that what you're feeling is the symptoms of low T..........my levels were-total test- 383 / range 249-836.........free test 8.7 / range 6.8-21.5 My e2 was well within range on the upper end and I'll tell you straight up that I felt like a shit nugget, my normal doc put me on anti depressants ........I threw that crap in the trash and called a clinic.......best damn decision of my life.

Work at it a little and you'll find the answers and the right doc. to help you out.

[GotNoBlueMilk]

BTW.....I would say there is a good possibility that what you're feeling is the symptoms of low T..........my levels were-total test- 383 / range 249-836.........free test 8.7 / range 6.8-21.5 My e2 was well within range on the upper end and I'll tell you straight up that I felt like a shit nugget, my normal doc put me on anti depressants ........I threw that crap in the trash and called a clinic.......best damn decision of my life.

I swear docs get their medical training from the newspaper. Whatever the latest medical news craze is, that is what they diagnose and prescribe.

[brad herschel]

There is a world of information on these threads. Local docs generally cannot keep up. Remember, that when dealing with a doc you are the customer. Question, suggest, etc,. but again the blood panel gives you a sense of direction, if doc won't go along either find another one or, if you have done sufficient study, order your meds online.

[brad herschel]

There is a world of information on these threads. Local docs generally cannot keep up. Remember, that when dealing with a doc you are the customer. Question, suggest, etc,. but again the blood panel gives you a sense of direction, if doc won't go along either find another one or, if you have done sufficient study, order your meds online.

[steroid.com 1]

OP - I calculated your Free T percent and Bio Available percent:

Free T 8.48 ng/dL = 2.33%
Bio Available 208 ng/dL = 57.1%

Both of these are solid numbers for a 44 year old man. Ideal Free T is between 2% - 3% and you're right there!

Also, you're BW doesn't suggest any serious issues other then, with your presenting symptoms, you are low normal in total T but the Free and Bio suggest no problems.

There are likely other things causing your symptoms rather then low test.

You could have a hypothyroid but we would need to see at the least Free T3 and T4 which I don't see. TSH over 1 suggests a possible problem, anything over 2 needs to be investigated further as in Free T 3 and 4. Hypothyroidism has many of the same symptoms as Low Test.

BTW, start taking 5000 iu of D3 along with a complete multi if not taking now.

gd

[zaggahamma]

OP - I calculated your Free T percent and Bio Available percent:

Free T 8.48 ng/dL = 2.33%
Bio Available 208 ng/dL = 57.1%

Both of these are solid numbers for a 44 year old man. Ideal Free T is between 2% - 3% and you're right there!

Also, you're BW doesn't suggest any serious issues other then, with your presenting symptoms, you are low normal in total T but the Free and Bio suggest no problems.

There are likely other things causing your symptoms rather then low test.

You could have a hypothyroid but we would need to see at the least Free T3 and T4 which I don't see. TSH over 1 suggests a possible problem, anything over 2 needs to be investigated further as in Free T 3 and 4. Hypothyroidism has many of the same symptoms as Low Test.

BTW, start taking 5000 iu of D3 along with a complete multi if not taking now.

gd

better than 99% docs and without the bill

[JD250]

gdevine, thats interesting stuff........I'd like to talk a little about this stuff but to keep from hijacking I'll start another thread after a while, would greatly appreciate your input as well as others.

[ConArmas]

I was finally able to get my Free T-3 and Free T-4 levels checked:

T-3, free = 3.2 (2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL)
T-4, free = 1.2 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL) [thyroxine, free, direct]

To make matters worse, I have two different doctors pushing Anti-depressants due to my symptoms...

I dug into my file cabinet and found a blood test from 1996 ( I was 29 at the time and in great shape. BF ~ 6%)
Total T = 472 ( 262-1593)
Free T = 15.3 (13-40)
% Free= .32 (0.2-0.7)

I am not sure what to do now...
Any advice?

[steroid.com 1]

I was finally able to get my Free T-3 and Free T-4 levels checked:

T-3, free = 3.2 (2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL)
T-4, free = 1.2 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL) [thyroxine, free, direct]To make matters worse, I have two different doctors pushing Anti-depressants due to my symptoms...

I dug into my file cabinet and found a blood test from 1996 ( I was 29 at the time and in great shape. BF ~ 6%)
Total T = 472 ( 262-1593)
Free T = 15.3 (13-40)
% Free= .32 (0.2-0.7)

I am not sure what to do now...
Any advice?

Your Thyroid is fine; both of these panels are in the normal range or optimum.

Your total test levels are low despite the fact that your percent free and bio available are in the optimum range.

Your symptoms may be a result of lower over all test levels.

Discuss with your Physician about getting your total test in the 900 range. I am willing to bet you will feel and see a big difference.

If you do this, please pay attention to E2 and the need for hCG to keep everything in harmony.

[bass]

I was finally able to get my Free T-3 and Free T-4 levels checked:

T-3, free = 3.2 (2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL)
T-4, free = 1.2 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL) [thyroxine, free, direct]

To make matters worse, I have two different doctors pushing Anti-depressants due to my symptoms...

I dug into my file cabinet and found a blood test from 1996 ( I was 29 at the time and in great shape. BF ~ 6%)
Total T = 472 ( 262-1593)
Free T = 15.3 (13-40)
% Free= .32 (0.2-0.7)

I am not sure what to do now...
Any advice?

what lab has these ranges?

[ConArmas]

The lab for the 1996 results is: Associated Pathology Labs (Las Vegas)

The Thyroid labs is from Quest Diagnostics.

[Fred40]

I'm 44 as well and my numbers were almost identical to yours.

My family Dr. put me on 100mg of test cyp. a week. That was almost 3 months ago. Insurance would not cover since I was in the low-normal range......but, test cyp only costs me about $14 a month. (If you can go to Costco is would only be about $10 a month).

It's been all up hill since. I feel a lot better than I did three months ago. My numbers are now top of the range for a 25 year old.

[zaggahamma]

I'm 44 as well and my numbers were almost identical to yours.

My family Dr. put me on 100mg of test cyp. a week. That was almost 3 months ago. Insurance would not cover since I was in the low-normal range......but, test cyp only costs me about $14 a month. (If you can go to Costco is would only be about $10 a month).

It's been all up hill since. I feel a lot better than I did three months ago. My numbers are now top of the range for a 25 year old.

has this saying changed

[Fred40]

LOL.....I was just thinking that ALL DOWNHILL was bad......therefore.....

[zaggahamma]

LOL.....I was just thinking that ALL DOWNHILL was bad......therefore.....

i guess ever since sonny bono's accident

[ConArmas]

Fred, I appreciate your perspective. I have crap for insurance so I expect this to be out of pocket too.
Are you also taking HCG or an AI? If so, can you comment on cost? Cost is my second biggest concern.
I am hopeful that my labs will be covered by my insurance.

The more I read, the more this looks like a complicated lifestyle committment.

[dfwo]

What is the cost like for the HCG if you're paying out of pocket?

[bass]

unfortunately prices can't be discussed here, but once you get 50 posts we can PM you! I know a pharmacy that sells AI very cheap, but you will need a prescription. see if your doctor can write a prescription for you!

[zaggahamma]

bicep look good basster

[dfwo]

Oh, I thought it was ok to discuss legal prescription prices?

[zaggahamma]

Oh, I thought it was ok to discuss legal prescription prices?

last i heard we were but you never know...

moot point anyway just call your pharmacy(s)

[bass]

Oh, I thought it was ok to discuss legal prescription prices?

hmmm! i could be wrong! i don't remember if it was GDevine who posted the rules, i could swear he said it was not allowed!

JPK, thanks bro, its my day off lifting otherwise they would have looked even bigger!