DIY TRT vs Medically Supervised TRT

[THAsokrtryxtr]

Decided to test my testosterone using letsgetchecked. To my surprise, it was incredibly low for my age (~76 ng/dl at 26 yrs).

Other relevant info:
I've never used steroids.
I've been lifting regularly for over a decade.
I'm 99% sure that I will start using testosterone at some point (likely in the near future).
5'8, 170-175 lbs, 10-15% BF

What are the pros and cons to learning how to do TRT by myself versus being medically prescribed testosterone (i.e. price, quality, etc.)

Additionally, would a doctor also prescribe a PCT or are dosages not high enough to need one?

[Couchlockd]

Decided to test my testosterone using letsgetchecked. To my surprise, it was incredibly low for my age (~76 ng/dl at 26 yrs).

Other relevant info:
I've never used steroids.
I've been lifting regularly for over a decade.
I'm 99% sure that I will start using testosterone at some point (likely in the near future).
5'8, 170-175 lbs, 10-15% BF

What are the pros and cons to learning how to do TRT by myself versus being medically prescribed testosterone (i.e. price, quality, etc.)

Additionally, would a doctor also prescribe a PCT or are dosages not high enough to need one?

You'll pay more for trt test from pharmacy, but bloods should be covered by insurance.

If all self pay.

Find a ugl that quality such as ******* pharma. Or the like and use others protocols to get yours dialed in. Take bloods after a few months and adjust.

We got the BEST advisors of any board in the entire net right here.

[FishnTom]

You'll pay more for trt test from pharmacy, but bloods should be covered by insurance.

If all self pay.

Find a ugl that quality such as ******* pharma. Or the like and use others protocols to get yours dialed in. Take bloods after a few months and adjust.

We got the BEST advisors of any board in the entire net right here.

I pay 200 a month for my LEGAL T.R.T but going to start saving and just getting 250 mg test cyp and adex to take every 3 days and go on my own and pay less then half price

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[fiddlesticks]

I pay 200 a month for my LEGAL T.R.T but going to start saving and just getting 250 mg test cyp and adex to take every 3 days and go on my own and pay less then half price

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Thats fucking madness lmfao. I pay 30 dollars for 15 vials of test basically.

OP , if you want alot of headaches and out of shape idiots to say you're wrong for feeling good, go the doctor route.

[THAsokrtryxtr]

You'll pay more for trt test from pharmacy, but bloods should be covered by insurance.

If all self pay.

Find a ugl that quality such as ******* pharma. Or the like and use others protocols to get yours dialed in. Take bloods after a few months and adjust.

We got the BEST advisors of any board in the entire net right here.

Thanks!

[kelkel]

Decided to test my testosterone using letsgetchecked. To my surprise, it was incredibly low for my age (~76 ng/dl at 26 yrs).

Other relevant info:
I've never used steroids.
I've been lifting regularly for over a decade.
I'm 99% sure that I will start using testosterone at some point (likely in the near future).
5'8, 170-175 lbs, 10-15% BF

What are the pros and cons to learning how to do TRT by myself versus being medically prescribed testosterone (i.e. price, quality, etc.)

Additionally, would a doctor also prescribe a PCT or are dosages not high enough to need one?

You need to see a doctor asap. A T level of 76 Ng/dl at your age is indicative of more serious issues. One such problem that can cause a dramatic loss in T levels would be a microadenoma, which is a small tumor on your pituitary gland that can shut down T levels through several different pathways. They are not that uncommon (I have one) and are treatable.

Other reasons could be hypothyroidism, head trauma, various medications, etc.

See a doc and figure this out properly. Do not self medicate in this instance.

[THAsokrtryxtr]

You need to see a doctor asap. A T level of 76 Ng/dl at your age is indicative of more serious issues. One such problem that can cause a dramatic loss in T levels would be a microadenoma, which is a small tumor on your pituitary gland that can shut down T levels through several different pathways. They are not that uncommon (I have one) and are treatable.

Other reasons could be hypothyroidism, head trauma, various medications, etc.

See a doc and figure this out properly. Do not self medicate in this instance.

Already intend to see a doc within the next week or so! Thank you.

[EDCG19]

Good to hear you're seeing seeing a doc, those levels are some of the lowest I've seen and it doesn't make sense unless its a lab error
You workout, probably eat good enough and sleep enough so your total t should be higher than that unless like Kel pointed out you have some other health issues going on here..

See a doc and fight for it if they don't agree with you

[kelkel]

Already intend to see a doc within the next week or so! Thank you.

Good. You need to find the cause of this. Do not simply band aid it with TRT and over-look the original underlying problem. TRT is great when needed but to do it for a couple of decades where you may not have needed it would really suck.

[Youthful55guy]

Decided to test my testosterone using letsgetchecked. To my surprise, it was incredibly low for my age (~76 ng/dl at 26 yrs).

Other relevant info:
I've never used steroids.
I've been lifting regularly for over a decade.
I'm 99% sure that I will start using testosterone at some point (likely in the near future).
5'8, 170-175 lbs, 10-15% BF

What are the pros and cons to learning how to do TRT by myself versus being medically prescribed testosterone (i.e. price, quality, etc.)

Additionally, would a doctor also prescribe a PCT or are dosages not high enough to need one?

A couple of thoughts:

1) Whenever you post lab results here ALWAYS include the labs's normal ranges, and always specify the exact test. They vary a lot from lab to lab.

2) You seem to indicate that this is Total Testosterone since it appears to be a screening lab. I'm wondering if you are actually looking at Bioavailable Testosterone. If this 76 ng/dL and it is Total Testosterone, I'm wonding how you can even be upright. The normal rage on Total T (all ages) at LabCorp is 348-916 ng/dL. I doubt the test can even accurately test T that low. HOWEVER, the range for Bioavailable T for a 26 year old is 48-317 ng/dL. If that is the test your doctor used, then you would be in the low-normal range. FYI, Bioavailable T is a MUCH MUCH more reliable lab than Total T, which is worthless if you SHBG is out of range (high or low). in my experience, Bioavailable T is as accurate as the gold standard of Free-T.

3) If this was a Total T lab and you really are that low, then (as Kel mentioned) need to get you head immediately into an MRI to determine if there is a pituitary tumor affecting you LH production. Actually, an LH & FSH lab (FIRT THING IN THE AM!!!!!) is probably the next step plus repeating the T lab to be sure it's not a lab error. Also, it would be good to run the an entire T panel (Total T, Free T, DHT, Bioavailable T, and SHBG). I'd also throw in Estradiol (SENSITIVE TEST ONLY!!!!!!), PSA, Prolactin, CBC (your hemoglobin & hematocrit should be rock bottom with that T value).

4) In answer to your question of self-administration or doctor prescribed. It is always best to get scripted T if you can find a knowledgeable doc that lives in this decade. One who knows and understands the intricacies of MODERN TRT. I'd start with reading the sticky string called "Best Practices in TRT" on the first page of this forum. There I've laid out what I consider to be a good program. If your doc balks at any of that, it's time to move on. in particular, do not let them force you into office visits for your T. It's a recipe for disaster.

[kelkel]

YG55 years back when my issue was finally caught I was at a 59 Total T level and really didn't know it. Other than not being able to gain weight I thought I was fine at the time. Once corrected you see how wrong you really were! I imagine just a slow adaptation process to the lower T level. Now, if it were like turning off a switch it would be completely different.

[Youthful55guy]

YG55 years back when my issue was finally caught I was at a 59 Total T level and really didn't know it. Other than not being able to gain weight I thought I was fine at the time. Once corrected you see how wrong you really were! I imagine just a slow adaptation process to the lower T level. Now, if it were like turning off a switch it would be completely different.

Good point, like the frog in a pot of water. I guess I've never been in that situation. As you know, my problem is with SHBG production. Nevertheless, I still strongly suggest that he double check the lab test (TT or bioavailable) and also repeat the labs along with the others. If his TT really is that low, a lot of other endocrine markers should be way off too, in particular, estradiol & DHT should be very low. I think too an LH/FSH scree will be very helpful, as he could have a testicular injury. If that were the case, LH/FSH would be very high and TT would be very low. While it would not rule out a pituitary tumor, it would lessen the urgency of an MRI. Bottom line is that with T levels that far out of range, he needs the consult of a good endocrinologist and not go it alone, as that might just mask a much more serious underlying condition until it's too late.

[Windex]

Decided to test my testosterone using letsgetchecked. To my surprise, it was incredibly low for my age (~76 ng/dl at 26 yrs).

Other relevant info:
I've never used steroids.
I've been lifting regularly for over a decade.
I'm 99% sure that I will start using testosterone at some point (likely in the near future).
5'8, 170-175 lbs, 10-15% BF

What are the pros and cons to learning how to do TRT by myself versus being medically prescribed testosterone (i.e. price, quality, etc.)

Additionally, would a doctor also prescribe a PCT or are dosages not high enough to need one?

In addition to what has already been posted, PCT does not apply to TRT because you are on TRT for life.

[kelkel]

Good point, like the frog in a pot of water. I guess I've never been in that situation. As you know, my problem is with SHBG production. Nevertheless, I still strongly suggest that he double check the lab test (TT or bioavailable) and also repeat the labs along with the others. If his TT really is that low, a lot of other endocrine markers should be way off too, in particular, estradiol & DHT should be very low. I think too an LH/FSH scree will be very helpful, as he could have a testicular injury. If that were the case, LH/FSH would be very high and TT would be very low. While it would not rule out a pituitary tumor, it would lessen the urgency of an MRI. Bottom line is that with T levels that far out of range, he needs the consult of a good endocrinologist and not go it alone, as that might just mask a much more serious underlying condition until it's too late.

Absolutely agree.

[JdFlex]

You have zero reason not to see a Dr.
Dr. prescribed TRT > self-administered trt (always).
I pay $0 annually for TRT (I have good insurance).

[Phatz]

Well if you have had difficulty finding a physician willing to prescribe Test then it is always best.

But if you are like me and have been to 3 different primary physicians and 2 urologist in the last 2 years and are un able to get help, then i say go ahead and DIY.

Just be as safe as possible and get your bloodwork checked.