Bloodwork - Considering TRT, Advice Truly Appreciated

[rob81816]

Hello all, I would really appreciate some advice from you experienced folks here on if my hormone levels could be contributing to my poor quality of life as they are low T-matching symptoms right now (depression, lack of drive, fatigue, ED and still hold good amount of fat on a good diet and workout routine). I have been going back and forth on if I am going to go with a telemedicine TRT clinic to start hcg and trt.

For some background I am a 27 year old male who unwisely used some prohormones/sarms in my past and then finally a higher dose testosterone/anavar cycle a couple years ago which stopped short due to a horrible health outcome/reaction taking tamoxifen and exemstane to reverse gynocomastia. I then started low dose trt for a few more months where I eventually evened out and was actually feeling pretty good and happy. I stopped trt as I was dealing with high rbc/low ferritin and some morning anxiety (maybe cortisol related?), along with the long-term concern of fertility and being done with PEDs, I wanted to see if I could restore my natural testosterone so I got off TRT. I have had labwork a few times since then, and it appears I have normal total T and SHBG, though low-normal LH and FSH and free and bioavailable T levels are near the bottom of the range.

PCP and endocrinologist say since my total T is normal, testosterone can't be the cause of my symptoms, but I am skeptical because Peter Attia and others say Free/Bio T are by far the most important markers for symptoms. I no longer live at high elevation and have found a protocol (vorck) to combat the high rbc issue along with using HCG for fertility I am more confident this go around if I decide to do so. I am hoping for another opinion looking at my labs here documenting my natural hormone levels now, do you think my low range free/bio T could these be causing the low t symptoms and TRT may be wise to revisit? Any input helps, thank you!


Test 1: A Couple Weeks Ago (Afternoon, bad sleep) -

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Test 2: A Few Months Ago (Morning with good sleep)-

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Test 3: 1 Year Ago (Morning, Good Sleep):

 

[Systemlord]

PCP and endocrinologist say since my total T is normal, testosterone can't be the cause of my symptoms

Sadly, not all doctors are created equal, and the majority are clueless regarding sex hormones. It’s not taught in mainstream medical schools.

To add insult to injury, insurance base care, the insurance companies are in the businesses of making money, not paying out on claims.

This means there are roadblocks to getting treatment approved, and your doctors know about it and are powerless to do anything about it.

27-year-old with free testosterone at the bottom of the range, that’s not normal and that’s not even average for a guy your age.

Your calculated free testosterone is 8.43 ng/dL or 1.65% = low. Normal free testosterone is 2-3%. Your other test had your free testosterone at 12 ng/dL = 1.68 %, the free testosterone percentage barely moved at all.

I am hoping for another opinion looking at my labs here documenting my natural hormone levels now, do you think my low range free/bio T could these be causing the low t symptoms

I then started low dose trt for a few more months where I eventually evened out and was actually feeling pretty good and happy.

You answered your own question. Clearly you are hung up on something else and it’s blinding you to what’s obvious.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Hey Rob

Welcome to ExcelMale.com

What is your weight, height, neck, and waist size?
How well (or not) do you sleep?
How long ago did you stop ANY hormone treatment?
Is your doctor willing to prescribe clomiphene and hCG?

 

[rob81816]

Hey Rob

Welcome to ExcelMale.com

What is your weight, height, neck, and waist size?
How well (or not) do you sleep?
How long ago did you stop ANY hormone treatment?
Is your doctor willing to prescribe clomiphene and hCG?

Sadly, not all doctors are created equal, and the majority are clueless regarding sex hormones. It’s not taught in mainstream medical schools.

To add insult to injury, insurance base care, the insurance companies are in the businesses of making money, not paying out on claims.

This means there are roadblocks to getting treatment approved, and your doctors know about it and are powerless to do anything about it.

27-year-old with free testosterone at the bottom of the range, that’s not normal and that’s not even average for a guy your age.

Your calculated free testosterone is 8.43 ng/dL or 1.65% = low. Normal free testosterone is 2-3%. Your other test had your free testosterone at 12 ng/dL = 1.68 %, the free testosterone percentage barely moved at all.




You answered your own question. Clearly you are hung up on something else and it’s blinding you to what’s obvious.

Thanks for the advice, I knew trt was probably going to be helpful to some degree but I just wanted some outside confirmation as two doctors saying otherwise and realizing it's a life-long commitment with possible side effects to manage surely has some second-guessing involved. I am more confident after doing my own research though seeing how varied opinions are surrounding testosterone levels.

 

[rob81816]

Hey Rob

Welcome to ExcelMale.com

What is your weight, height, neck, and waist size?
How well (or not) do you sleep?
How long ago did you stop ANY hormone treatment?
Is your doctor willing to prescribe clomiphene and hCG?

Hello,

I am 6 ft, 235 neck around 17.5 inches, waist is 34-35 ish, I have been very consistent with working out since a teen and am in pretty good shape though certainly not shredded or anything though. I sleep pretty well though I do wake up maybe 6,7 times in the night rolling around and I recently tested for sleep apnea and was told I do not have it. I stopped Test E hormone treatment 1 year and 8 months ago. PCP is willing to prescribe clomiphene or HCG I believe, though I am not sure like the idea of being on a SERM long-term with the side effects personally, would rather look at hcg or testosterone. I am almost certain I got floaters from prior clomiphene pct use and deteriorated vision after using tamoxifen having to get glasses.