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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Testosterone Basics & Questions
Advice on whether or not to start TRT or look for other causes
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<blockquote data-quote="VA-Hiker" data-source="post: 271653" data-attributes="member: 46287"><p>I am trying to decide whether or not to start TRT or keep looking for another root cause as to why my bloodwork and symptoms are the way they are. I am 46 years old, decided to get labs checked and found a normal total T with low free T and high SHBG. Borderline hemoglobin A1c. I decided to get healthier, lost 40 lbs (since March), exercise a lot, starting to lift now. No alcohol, other drugs. I had typical non-specific symptoms of being tired, skinny fat appearance, no libido, ED (I had never had this until the months leading up to my first lab work. Fast forward from March until now, 40 lbs lights, in shape, have more energy (seems better, not always great), still a small amount of belly fat that just won't go away, still not much of a libido. I'm on 2.5 of tadalafil so that issue is better at least. Blood pressure is solid (110/70), resting HR in the 50's. With my latest lab work, total T was great, high actually, Free T was even lower (6), and SHBG >100. A1c up another 0.1 so it really didn't improve. </p><p></p><p>I talked with the doctor at the clinic and he suggested proceeding with TRT (he had offered me this in March but I want to try weight loss first). Hope is my Free T will improve, SHBG will decrease, and adding muscle mass will help with the A1c. I understand what he is saying is accurate. I am concerned about whether or not I should keep searching for other causes for the high SHBG before I commit to something that could be lifelong. </p><p></p><p>Sorry for the long post, I'm just quite conflicted about this and I'm hoping to obtain some insight from others. I thought about giving it a try for 4-6 months and seeing what my numbers do and how I feel. I am also concerned about coming back off of it and whether my endogenous production will return to baseline. </p><p></p><p>March 2023</p><p>Weight 193</p><p>Total Test 566</p><p>Free Test. 8.8</p><p>SHBG 59</p><p>LH 2.9</p><p>Estradiol 15.6</p><p>IGF-1 164</p><p>DHEA-S 144</p><p></p><p>November 2023</p><p>Weight 153</p><p>Total test 923</p><p>Free Test 6</p><p>SHBG 103</p><p>LH 3.8</p><p>Estradiol 14</p><p>DHEA-S 117</p><p>IGF-1 186</p><p></p><p>My starting regimen would be, 100 mg test cyp Monday and Thursday (200 a week), HCG 500 iu Monday and Thursday (1000/week). AI 0.125 only for symptoms. I have everything, just haven't started taking it yet.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="VA-Hiker, post: 271653, member: 46287"] I am trying to decide whether or not to start TRT or keep looking for another root cause as to why my bloodwork and symptoms are the way they are. I am 46 years old, decided to get labs checked and found a normal total T with low free T and high SHBG. Borderline hemoglobin A1c. I decided to get healthier, lost 40 lbs (since March), exercise a lot, starting to lift now. No alcohol, other drugs. I had typical non-specific symptoms of being tired, skinny fat appearance, no libido, ED (I had never had this until the months leading up to my first lab work. Fast forward from March until now, 40 lbs lights, in shape, have more energy (seems better, not always great), still a small amount of belly fat that just won't go away, still not much of a libido. I'm on 2.5 of tadalafil so that issue is better at least. Blood pressure is solid (110/70), resting HR in the 50's. With my latest lab work, total T was great, high actually, Free T was even lower (6), and SHBG >100. A1c up another 0.1 so it really didn't improve. I talked with the doctor at the clinic and he suggested proceeding with TRT (he had offered me this in March but I want to try weight loss first). Hope is my Free T will improve, SHBG will decrease, and adding muscle mass will help with the A1c. I understand what he is saying is accurate. I am concerned about whether or not I should keep searching for other causes for the high SHBG before I commit to something that could be lifelong. Sorry for the long post, I'm just quite conflicted about this and I'm hoping to obtain some insight from others. I thought about giving it a try for 4-6 months and seeing what my numbers do and how I feel. I am also concerned about coming back off of it and whether my endogenous production will return to baseline. March 2023 Weight 193 Total Test 566 Free Test. 8.8 SHBG 59 LH 2.9 Estradiol 15.6 IGF-1 164 DHEA-S 144 November 2023 Weight 153 Total test 923 Free Test 6 SHBG 103 LH 3.8 Estradiol 14 DHEA-S 117 IGF-1 186 My starting regimen would be, 100 mg test cyp Monday and Thursday (200 a week), HCG 500 iu Monday and Thursday (1000/week). AI 0.125 only for symptoms. I have everything, just haven't started taking it yet. [/QUOTE]
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Testosterone Replacement, Low T, HCG, & Beyond
Testosterone Basics & Questions
Advice on whether or not to start TRT or look for other causes
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