Test Level Below Range

[bugsysiegals]

I've 35 and have done 5 cycles now over the past 2 1/2 years. Before that I tried various pro hormones for 4 years, M1P, M1D, X-Tren, all without ever doing PCT since I never knew about that back then. I did do proper PCT when I did the 5 cycles I did over the last few years (Clomid/Nolva and HCG while on cycle). I never had my testosterone levels checked prior to any of this stuff. I wish I would have but never did; however, I just had them checked the other week since I've had a low sex drive ever since my last cycle of Test/Deca which ended in October 2011. In fact, I always have low sex drive after a cycle for many months and don't think I've ever really had a huge sex drive since I started with the pro hormones but this has been by far the worst. My prolactin levels are 8 on a scale of like 1-13 I believe. A little high probably from the Deca but not sure if that's still dragging my sex drive down or not. I'm not sure if I damaged my body's natural production back when I did pro hormones without PCT or perhaps it's been low even before then but regardless of how it happened my test levels are low now.

On a scale of 175-701 my test levels came back at 164. They want me to come back in and get the free test measured I believe. I'm not sure what they'll recommend if that's low too. Someone said a cream, gel, or injection. Then they said I'd get measured again and when my levels are higher they'd probably assume I'm good but since it's synthetic it's just like going on cycle and once the synthetic is gone I'm back in the same boat again.

My question is whether or not it's possible to make my body produce higher levels on it's own again or am I stuck around the low end of the range without steroids? I've read that the average healthy male is around 600-700 and wonder if that's true or not? Will I have to go on steroids forever? My endurance and strength are suffering right now so I'd love to cycle again but I don't know if I want to be on steroids forever ... but if that's how it needs to be I guess it is what it is ... curious if I'm destined to live the rest of my life pinning or not.

Just curious from anybody who's been through this and can give me a heads up of what to expect, etc.

[Vettester]

Sorry to hear this information. It sounds like things stayed suppressed, possibly a PCT that wasn't done thoroughly. If they ran your LH and FSH, that would at least confirm that your low serum level is attributed to your HPTA. More than likely is, but would be good to know for sure.

Your prolactin isn't severely high, but it wouldn't hurt if it came down to at least 4 or 5. I had mine at that range at one point and did experience some sexual sides. Talk with your doctor about maybe adding a little dopamine agonist for this. However, IMO, I think most of sexual inefficiencies are mostly related to your testosterone level. You're going to hear a lot of members here want to know your estrogen level (E2), so post up that and your other labs (+ Ref Ranges), or look into that aspect with your medical team.

[Vettester]

PS: Those PH's can do some [I]nasty[I] things to a person as you experienced! Hope things get on track for you soon!

[bass]

based on your history i don't think you can get your natural production anywhere near the 600-700 mark, but leave the past behind you and look forward. whats important now is how you make your life better even if its TRT. its not that bad once you weigh the goods and bads, bad being low and feeling like shit and good being within range and feeling good!

[jamotech]

Like vette said get a more comprehensive BW panel done, wish I had gotten a more detailed snapshot of where EVERYTHING was before I started.

[HRTstudent]

Deca is a very suppressive drug and can effect you for up to a year. It is perhaps the most suppressive drug and could certainly be contributing to your erectile and libido issues.

[bugsysiegals]

Well I don't have any numbers to post since the faxed version of the report sure didn't turn out very clear. Needless to say I have an appointment with a female endocrinologist which is a month away. I ran into a guy a train with who has been on TRT for a while ... bodybuilder who used to use and ended up needing to go on TRT. I was telling him I'll start training with him again after I get this situation figured out. He said the doctors in my area aren't that great with protocols to try and get my body to produce naturally again and that even if they do work with me it will likely be a year long process. He said you'll end up on the cream, the gel, eventually maybe injections, then they'll see your levels up, then say you're fixed, and want to reduce what they give you or stop and re-check. I'm confused ... I'd like to recover if possible but not sure I stand a chance. Secondly, I don't want the doctor to play roller-coaster experiments with my hormones. Sadly, I'm contemplating whether I'm wasting my time/money even going through with the appointment or whether I should just start pinning again on my own.

Is there really any benefit of going to the doctor or do I just put myself on TRT forever without the doctors help?

[bass]

we never encourage self medicating, my recommendation is find a trt doctor or clinic.

[bugsysiegals]

I have my appointment with the female doctor in another 2 weeks. I figure I'll at least see what she has to say and go from there. My biggest thing right now is whether or not I should admit to using steroids or stick to the story I gave my GP that I took Tribulus to boost my natural test levels and am not sure if it had anything to do with this or not???

If I dont tell her she may want an MRI done to check the pituitary for a tumor which is unlikely and I dont want to waste my time or money but also dont want it officially on my record that I've used steroids on my own which could complicate things with insurance claims down the road I've read. On the other hand, if I have to go on TRT maybe she wont bullshit with me and let me do my own injections rather than cream or gel.

Suggestions?

[bullshark99]

Yep, ask if if you could speak straight with her "off the record" if she doesnt cooperate, then be careful, say things like "hypothetically" speaking. I know it sounds stupid, but Im in the insurance business, last thing you want to do is screw up your insurability because it will stick with you for a long time. Even when you apply for insurance, if you are declined or even modified, your name goes into the "MIB" (medical information buruea) for 7 yrs. Insurance companies share information, totally legal. I am assumming you are in the states?

[bugsysiegals]

So you think if I tell her there's some important things I'd like to discuss with you but I feel as if I cannot share the information with you because it may not be kept between the two of us and will get documented. Then ask her if she'll agree to keep what I'd like to discuss completely confidential and off the record or not ... that she'd actually say no? I just can't see anybody saying no. I'd think every doctor would say sure ok to hear what you have to say and then perhaps document anyways.

Or perhaps I ask her right off the bat if she's obligated to document everything we discuss or not. Then if she says no, ask her if I ask her for something specific not to be documented will she respect my wishes? Then if she says yes, tell her ok what I'm about to discuss with you is completely confidential and I do not want it written in my records where it can potentially cause many various problems for me. Then tell her? Perhaps I'm just over worried but I just don't need her to say oh yeah no problem and then write it down. Not sure if a doctor would pull something like that or not which is why I'm wondering if I tell her straight up or some other way so that it cannot be used against me.

Yes, I'm in the U.S.

[bullshark99]

I think you get it. No right or wrong approach here Bro, everyone is diferent with different policies. No one can predict how your specific Dr will react weather she will respect your wishes or not?? Weather she will tell you sure go ahead, then turn around and betry you. You need the best care possible but the flip side is I understand the insurance piece of it and it blows because some stuff has a way of following you for a long time. Proceed with caution....My last bit of advice (which I have practiced myself) you tell the staff that under NO circumstances are your records to be released without your permission, ask what there policy is on this?? Legally there are still certain circumstances where they do not need your permission but at least this is another layer of protection. Standard procedure is to send them to your GP, I succesfully blocked this on one instance when I saw a specialist. Put some thought into it, put your toe in the water, if it doesnt feel right, dont jump in, pull it out.

[kelkel]

Put some thought into it, put your toe in the water, if it doesnt feel right, dont jump in, pull it out.

Good advice Bull. Applies to some women I know too!

[bugsysiegals]

Hehe .. Thanks for the advice. My GP sent me to the specialist so no secret there but i never was 100% honest with him about everything i took so i'd really rather not have him see i wasnt 100% honest. Well see what happens.

[Brohim]

stick to the prohormones if you have to tell her. They were legal back in teh day so you didn't break any law's.