Trying to figure it all out.

[jdvert]

Hello All,

To put a longer story short I had over used anabolics for about 10 years from 2007 till 2016. Then in 2016 I had a host of physical and mental problems. I quite all anabolics and test completely.

Went thru hell and back with anxiety and depression. Physical symptoms were in my stomach attributed to a hiatal hernia. At one point I considered taking my life but I pushed thru all of this by 2018 and started helping other people with anxiety and depression. It feels so good to help other people overcome things in life.

Anyway early this year I decided to get back to the gym. I started out slow and sore. I feel good mentally but physically I was not seeing no improvement. Granted I was use to the old me everything easy on anabolics but I knew that natural route was a lot harder but was willing to put in the work.

After about 6 months I just wasn't seeing the results and figured Ill go take a blood test and do this right. I am 45 years old so just trying to get my health right.

I guess you can say I thought I knew alot about anabolics and test but really knew very little. I have been reading alot on this forum. I must say I was ignorant and stupid and looking to get it right this time.

I am posting my blood work and might be missing some that I plan to get this week. I appreciate you reading my story and any advice that you can give.

thanks JD

 

[swoops36]

I don’t have any advice I’m just amazed that 263 TT is NORMAL lol when I started the range was 300ng now it’s 250. Insane

 

[fifty]

Increase Testosterone

 

[Systemlord]

While your Total T is low, SHBG is also low and will dictate your TRT protocol which is daily dosing, anything else simply will likely not show good results. You will not need high Total T levels to feel optimal, in fact you probably won't need anything high than 450-500 ng/dL do to low SHBG.

The low platelet count may hint at some type of disorder or medication side effect. Men at our age can lose glucose control when testosterone is low, TRT can improve insulin levels within days and can improve full glucose control in 6-9 months.

I see a lot of low SHBG men struggle, I also see them do well on very frequent dosing, I rarely see them do well on infrequent dosing. I have low SHBG and only feel optimal on daily dosing, an EOD dosing will see benefits striped away from TRT and I will not feel as well.

 

[Systemlord]

I don’t have any advice I’m just amazed that 263 TT is NORMAL lol when I started the range was 300ng now it’s 250. Insane

There need to be standards, you go to one demographic and the bottom of the ranges are lower, you go to a different area and the population there is a bit higher on the bottom end and the lab ranges reflect it.

If you just moved into an area with the lower bottom end, your doctors will be judging your labs on these lower ranges even though you are not from the area.

I've seen labs ranges as low as 190, so if the poor lad goes to his doctor and is 210, his doctor will think his levels are normal. Then you have the study below.

Testosterone Threshold for Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Middle-Aged and Elderly Men:

The locally weighted regression showed that total testosterone levels of 440 and 480 ng/dL were associated with increased Framingham CVD risk and an increased probability of increased hsCRP, respectively. Men with sexual dysfunction (poor sexual performance, decreased morning erection, and loss of libido) had significantly greater CVD risk.

So it begs the question, why did the endocrine society chose 300 as the cut off point for low testosterone... The 300 number wasn't chosen based off any studies, it was based off what would save the insurance companies the most money and to restrict TRT, a treatment that prevents and treats multiple disease.

 

[jdvert]

While your Total T is low, SHBG is also low and will dictate your TRT protocol which is daily dosing, anything else simply will likely not show good results. You will not need high Total T levels to feel optimal, in fact you probably won't need anything high than 450-500 ng/dL do to low SHBG.

The low platelet count may hint at some type of disorder or medication side effect. Men at our age can lose glucose control when testosterone is low, TRT can improve insulin levels within days and can improve full glucose control in 6-9 months.

I see a lot of low SHBG men struggle, I also see them do well on very frequent dosing, I rarely see them do well on infrequent dosing. I have low SHBG and only feel optimal on daily dosing, an EOD dosing will see benefits striped away from TRT and I will not feel as well.

Thanks for the reply. My platelets have been low for years what is crazy always been around 110 now close to 130.

Since you posted about SHBG I read alot about it. Sounds like you have to do what works best for your body a real work around kind of sucks but what can you do.

One question I have on that is it better to keep estrogen in check from the start or take trt daily for say a month then check bloods again.

 

[Systemlord]

One question I have on that is it better to keep estrogen in check from the start or take trt daily for say a month then check bloods again.

T-cypionate has a half life of 7-8 days, so it will take 6 weeks to stabilize, 8 weeks is when you should really start feeling it. If at any time you change your dosage, it will take another 6 weeks to stabilize, so expect levels to be in flux during this time and lots of ups and downs.

I might add a daily protocol is the only protocol where I never felt ups and downs, it was like there was no fluctuations, probably because daily dosing pushed up my Free T levels and kept them there with minimal decline between injections.

 

[Vvs1]

Like others said, SHBG is low. I have higher shbg, but it skyrocketed with a vegan diet.

From what I have read, it's best to go on TRT, stay on it without an AI for a couple months.

I'd also test thyroid now. DHT and e2 at all hormone tests. Don't try any supplements without asking. Like Saw palmetto or finasteride-stay away.

 

[CaptianCurious]

Low shbg is a marker of high insulin, and, your blood glucose is on towards the high end. You might want to test a1c and fasting insulin next time you do a round of tests, just to double check glucose metabolism.

 

[jdvert]

Low shbg is a marker of high insulin, and, your blood glucose is on towards the high end. You might want to test a1c and fasting insulin next time you do a round of tests, just to double check glucose metabolism.

Your right I read some about that. My uncle and dad had diabetes young. I have been lucky so far. Was thinking of taking berberine. Damn I've done a lot of blood test. One more.. thanks for your input..

 

[CaptianCurious]

Sure thing! Hope everything works out for you.

You might also want to look into lipoic acid and/or chromium too. Both otc and might help. Probably harmless anyways.