NeedRelief
Member
Hey all,
New member here looking for some relief to my exhaustive struggle to correct my low T. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on my situation. I apologize in advance for my very thorough post! I'm not really sure where to start for the sake of boring you all to death so I'll just try to give the facts of what I think may be linked to my problem.
-Long time Lexapro user for anxiety
-Long time smoker
-Quit both of the above about two years ago and since have felt like crap, very stressed out all the time, anxious, pissed off etc.
-When I was about 18 I rolled a car and was hospitalized, totaled a couple more cars which made me very soar but was for the most part Ok
-During a physical on 2/2014 I decided to have my testosterone checked, and the results:
total test: 252
Free Test: 62.5 - I was told i'm normal
-4/2014 Saw Endocrinologist, he did the following blood work:
Total Test: 264
Free Test: 69.7
TSH: 2.00
T4: 1.2
SHBG: 15
FSH: 4.2
LH: 4.2
Prolactin: 7.0
Again, I was told everything is normal.
-Not happy with those answers I travelled to see a Dr who is known in this field, he did new blood test:
Total Test: 275
Estradiol: 27
DHEA Sulfate: 3.7
SHBG: 17
Cortisol: total 20.4
FSH: 3.7
LH: 2.3
Prolactin: 4.2
Vitamin D, 25 OH total: 42
Vitamin D, 25 OH D3: 42
Vitamin D, 25 OH D2: <4
-He then put me on Pregnyl, 500IU every other day (3 X week)
-3 weeks on Pregnyl my new labs showed a raise in Test:
Total Test: 452
Estradiol: 32
-We raised my dose up to 600IU per shot 3 times a week.
HOWEVER, I then switched to compounded HCG (cheaper than Pregnyl) and 3 weeks at higher dose my new labs:
Total Test: 337
Estradiol: 30
I feel that the reason it dropped was from one of these reasons:
My body responded better to the Pregnyl Vs compounded HCG
OR
I was injecting directly into thigh before, latest labs I was injecting into my belly fat. Maybe I was doing IM shots Vs SubQ beings I am lean and have very little fat on my thigh
OR
I do my shots Mon, Wed, Fri - during my higher labs my blood was drawn on a Thursday so I had more HCG in my system Vs latest lower labs, my blood was drawn on Tuesday so I had only Monday's shot in my system and went all weekend without it.
Now we're at present day and I am debating my next move. I'm unable to see my doc for a while but his nurse said he suggested going up to 800IU per shot 3 X a week for 3 weeks and retest my blood. I'm worried about desensitizing my testis with that large dose and becoming primary. Should I try daily shots instead? I mentioned that to my nurse and she said I could try that for better coverage and do 400IU every day except Sunday. I would really like to make HCG work for me, I'm not ready to step it up to TRT.
Lastly, I attached below the questionaire that Nelson recomended us to use. Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Health and quality of life information:
Age: 37
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185
Waist size: 32
Neck size: 16
Have you lost weight in the past 6 month? If yes, how many pounds? 5
Have you gained weight in past 6 months? If yes, how many pounds?
Has your body tone changed in the past 6 months (harder, softer)? a little harder
When was your last complete physical examination? 9 months
What were the results of that exam? Normal
Are you taking testosterone now? No
If answer to above question is NO, have you taken testosterone in the past? How long and when did you last stop? Never
Do you urinate alright? Yes
How many times do you get up at night to urinate ? 0
Does it hurt when you urinate? No
Is there any blood in your urine? No
Have you had prostatitis (prostate/urinary infections) in the past? Possibly once
Describe any acne history: Random bouts of cystic zits, like waves here and there
Do you have cold intolerance? Sometimes I did last winter
Do you bruise easily? No
Do you have:
Depression: Possibly very slightly, most likely cause from trying to get this stuff all straightened out which has been very challenging
Anxiety: YES, also comes in waves but definitely have anxiety and sometimes panic attacks for a long time.
Decreased sexual potency (erection quality). If so, is this causing stress in your relationship? No
Decreased sex drive: slightly
Sleep disturbances: No
Generalized muscle aches and pains: No
Joint pain: Yes, mainly upon waking up
Fatigue: Yes, feel my muscles fatique somewhat quickly
Lethargy: No
Sensitive or swollen nipples? No
Did you have swollen or painful nipples BEFORE you ever used steroids (for men who have used anabolics AAS)? N/a
Can you feel any lumps around your nipples? No
Are you losing your hair? No
Have you ever taken Propecia or Proscar (finasteride) for hair loss or prostate inflammation? No
Were you losing it before you started using steroids (AAS only)? If so, is it falling out more quickly now? N/A
Have you had:
Loss of appetite: No
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain ? which ? Last winter I gained a lot of fat around my stomach
Do you consider yourself to be in good health? Yes
Do you sleep well? Yes
Average hours of sleep per night: 8
Do you regularly self examine your testicles? No
Tell us about your diet (The more details, the better) Healthy for the most part, drink water, eat fruit every day, no red meat but a lot of chicken and veggies.
Do you exercise? If yes, what type and how frequently? 3 -4 days a week, cardio and lift weights
Do you feel that you procrastinate a lot and do not have enough mental focus to finish projects? No
Are you experiencing a lot of stress lately? For how long and why? Yes, stress has been highly bothersome, especially since I quit smoking and taking Lexapro a couple years back.
MEDICATIONS
Do you take any prescription medications or medications bought on the internet or black market?
If so, please list, and give dosages:
xanax as needed (.25 once or twice a month)
HCG 600IU X 3 days a week
What supplements do you take (vitamins, minerals, neutraceuticals, etc.)? List all (with amounts or dosages) each day.
1,000 Vitamin D
Protein shakes
Do you plan on having children?
Yes
SLEEP
Have you ever been diagnosed with sleep apnea via a sleep study? If yes, do you use a CPAP machine? No
Do you take frequent naps? No
New member here looking for some relief to my exhaustive struggle to correct my low T. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on my situation. I apologize in advance for my very thorough post! I'm not really sure where to start for the sake of boring you all to death so I'll just try to give the facts of what I think may be linked to my problem.
-Long time Lexapro user for anxiety
-Long time smoker
-Quit both of the above about two years ago and since have felt like crap, very stressed out all the time, anxious, pissed off etc.
-When I was about 18 I rolled a car and was hospitalized, totaled a couple more cars which made me very soar but was for the most part Ok
-During a physical on 2/2014 I decided to have my testosterone checked, and the results:
total test: 252
Free Test: 62.5 - I was told i'm normal
-4/2014 Saw Endocrinologist, he did the following blood work:
Total Test: 264
Free Test: 69.7
TSH: 2.00
T4: 1.2
SHBG: 15
FSH: 4.2
LH: 4.2
Prolactin: 7.0
Again, I was told everything is normal.
-Not happy with those answers I travelled to see a Dr who is known in this field, he did new blood test:
Total Test: 275
Estradiol: 27
DHEA Sulfate: 3.7
SHBG: 17
Cortisol: total 20.4
FSH: 3.7
LH: 2.3
Prolactin: 4.2
Vitamin D, 25 OH total: 42
Vitamin D, 25 OH D3: 42
Vitamin D, 25 OH D2: <4
-He then put me on Pregnyl, 500IU every other day (3 X week)
-3 weeks on Pregnyl my new labs showed a raise in Test:
Total Test: 452
Estradiol: 32
-We raised my dose up to 600IU per shot 3 times a week.
HOWEVER, I then switched to compounded HCG (cheaper than Pregnyl) and 3 weeks at higher dose my new labs:
Total Test: 337
Estradiol: 30
I feel that the reason it dropped was from one of these reasons:
My body responded better to the Pregnyl Vs compounded HCG
OR
I was injecting directly into thigh before, latest labs I was injecting into my belly fat. Maybe I was doing IM shots Vs SubQ beings I am lean and have very little fat on my thigh
OR
I do my shots Mon, Wed, Fri - during my higher labs my blood was drawn on a Thursday so I had more HCG in my system Vs latest lower labs, my blood was drawn on Tuesday so I had only Monday's shot in my system and went all weekend without it.
Now we're at present day and I am debating my next move. I'm unable to see my doc for a while but his nurse said he suggested going up to 800IU per shot 3 X a week for 3 weeks and retest my blood. I'm worried about desensitizing my testis with that large dose and becoming primary. Should I try daily shots instead? I mentioned that to my nurse and she said I could try that for better coverage and do 400IU every day except Sunday. I would really like to make HCG work for me, I'm not ready to step it up to TRT.
Lastly, I attached below the questionaire that Nelson recomended us to use. Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Health and quality of life information:
Age: 37
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185
Waist size: 32
Neck size: 16
Have you lost weight in the past 6 month? If yes, how many pounds? 5
Have you gained weight in past 6 months? If yes, how many pounds?
Has your body tone changed in the past 6 months (harder, softer)? a little harder
When was your last complete physical examination? 9 months
What were the results of that exam? Normal
Are you taking testosterone now? No
If answer to above question is NO, have you taken testosterone in the past? How long and when did you last stop? Never
Do you urinate alright? Yes
How many times do you get up at night to urinate ? 0
Does it hurt when you urinate? No
Is there any blood in your urine? No
Have you had prostatitis (prostate/urinary infections) in the past? Possibly once
Describe any acne history: Random bouts of cystic zits, like waves here and there
Do you have cold intolerance? Sometimes I did last winter
Do you bruise easily? No
Do you have:
Depression: Possibly very slightly, most likely cause from trying to get this stuff all straightened out which has been very challenging
Anxiety: YES, also comes in waves but definitely have anxiety and sometimes panic attacks for a long time.
Decreased sexual potency (erection quality). If so, is this causing stress in your relationship? No
Decreased sex drive: slightly
Sleep disturbances: No
Generalized muscle aches and pains: No
Joint pain: Yes, mainly upon waking up
Fatigue: Yes, feel my muscles fatique somewhat quickly
Lethargy: No
Sensitive or swollen nipples? No
Did you have swollen or painful nipples BEFORE you ever used steroids (for men who have used anabolics AAS)? N/a
Can you feel any lumps around your nipples? No
Are you losing your hair? No
Have you ever taken Propecia or Proscar (finasteride) for hair loss or prostate inflammation? No
Were you losing it before you started using steroids (AAS only)? If so, is it falling out more quickly now? N/A
Have you had:
Loss of appetite: No
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain ? which ? Last winter I gained a lot of fat around my stomach
Do you consider yourself to be in good health? Yes
Do you sleep well? Yes
Average hours of sleep per night: 8
Do you regularly self examine your testicles? No
Tell us about your diet (The more details, the better) Healthy for the most part, drink water, eat fruit every day, no red meat but a lot of chicken and veggies.
Do you exercise? If yes, what type and how frequently? 3 -4 days a week, cardio and lift weights
Do you feel that you procrastinate a lot and do not have enough mental focus to finish projects? No
Are you experiencing a lot of stress lately? For how long and why? Yes, stress has been highly bothersome, especially since I quit smoking and taking Lexapro a couple years back.
MEDICATIONS
Do you take any prescription medications or medications bought on the internet or black market?
If so, please list, and give dosages:
xanax as needed (.25 once or twice a month)
HCG 600IU X 3 days a week
What supplements do you take (vitamins, minerals, neutraceuticals, etc.)? List all (with amounts or dosages) each day.
1,000 Vitamin D
Protein shakes
Do you plan on having children?
Yes
SLEEP
Have you ever been diagnosed with sleep apnea via a sleep study? If yes, do you use a CPAP machine? No
Do you take frequent naps? No
