Hello everyone.
Before I delve into my situation, I’ll answer the questions highlighted in the stickies.
-age
19
-height
181
-waist
31"
-weight
82kg (17% bf)
-describe body and facial hair
always known to be completely hairless. Many girl have more hair on their arms then me, and I struggle to even grow sparse hair on my face. I started puberty at age 13-14 and stopped growing at around 16-17. No hair on chest.
-describe where you carry fat and how it’s changed
I carry fat mostly on my ass and hips. Always have.
-health conditions, symptoms [history]
Diagnosed with depression for the last 5 years. (Since 14). From 14-18 depression was very severe, but I have not had any real symptoms of depression in the last 6 months. (I contribute this to self taught CBT?) I have been to 2 psychologists, 2 GP’s and 1 psychiatrist during this period. None of them have helped.
-Rx and OTC drugs, any hair loss drugs or prostate drugs ever
Have taken Prozac and Citalopram for 3 months when I was around 16. Didn’t help so I stopped taking it. I have never taken any drugs of that kind since. I am currently taking Modafinil daily to curb my symptoms.
-lab results with ranges
I was notified of my Low testosterone in February when I decided to have blood test after doing research on the connection between testosterone and my symptoms. Since then I have had 2 more blood tests.
Test 1
26th February 2013, Test done at 12 in the day.
Iron 20 umol/L (10-30)
Transferrin 2.33 g/L (2.1 - 3.8)
Saturation 34% (20 - 50)
Ferritin 133 ug/L (30 - 400)
Total Chol. 3.8 mmol/L
HDL Chol. 1.1 mmol/L (> 1.0)
LDL Chol. 2.5 mmol/L (< 2.5)
Triglyceride 0.5 mmol/L (< 1.5)
FSH 5 IU/L (1-8)
LH 3 IU/L (2-8)
Prolactin 3 ug/L (< 20.0)
TSH 2.42 mIU/L (0.5 - 5)
Free T4 14.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 25.0)
Total Testosterone 7.7 nmol/L (8.0 - 30.0)
SHBG 25 nmol/L (17 - 66)
FAI 30.8%
VIT B12 468 pmol/L (> 180)
Test 2
Same GP as with first test, conducted 2 weeks after the first. I asked the doctor to print first and second test. He was reluctant to print any of them, but he eventually just printed first test. (Don’t even ask).
I remember for certain my Total Testosterone was at 4 nmol/L, but this test was done at around 3pm.
Test 3
I have just received back today. A different GP this time. Blood test done at 10 am.
Total Testosterone 13.1 nmol/L (10.0 - 28.0)
TSH 2.60 IU/L (0.30 - 4.20)
25 Hydroxy-Vit D 85 nmol/L (60 - 160)
-describe diet [some create substantial damage with starvation diets]
I do not follow macro’s. 130 - 160 gm protein a day. Average calorie intake of 2800 I’d say. I am pretty sure I eat adequate amounts of fat (> 150gms of fat a day).
-describe training [some ruin there hormones by over training]
Basic 4 day split. Day 1 Chest/Shoulders. Day 2 Back. Day 3 Legs. Day 4 rest. Repeat.
-testes ache, ever, with a fever?
Never. My testicles are slightly smaller then average.
-how have morning wood and nocturnal erections changed
Always have been invariable. Sometimes strong, sometimes pathetic.
I have not taken temperature ranges. I am starting this now. Will record for the next few days and will post results.
I have been utterly disappointed at the lack of care and knowledge of doctor’s. My psychiatrist, who I was with for 3 years, diagnosed me with depression and told me to take pills. I did for the first 3 months, but stopped. Every time I went I never came out with any positive input. He’d always subtle point out that I am perfect, and that there really isn’t anything wrong with me. Came to my senses and left. Used me as money making machine.
First GP wouldn’t let me test E2, free testosterone, T3, fT3 etc etc. He said I didn’t need to. I tried to persuade him for 5 minutes, but I didn’t have studies as backup. When my T came back low he immediately prescribed me sustanon, which I knew immediately something that was not suitable for treatment and that particular time. Also gave me free trans dermal gel. I have the prescription and gel in my room for the last 2 months. I have not used them.
2nd GP is an absolutely dud. He said that as soon as I walked in he knew I had adequate levels of testosterone. This made me mad. I gave him a list of 20 things that I wanted to be tested, with some papers to backup. He said he only test for TT and Vit D because those are the only ones he can interpret.
Booking an appointment for a 3rd GP soon. Apparently she is very good and well rounded. I am lucky that GP visits are free.
A few extra points need to also be addressed:
- I can build muscle mass and strength very quickly. In 2011 I started training, and trained for 7 months. Took a 12 month break. Started again. Going for 5 months strong. (Maybe I have high IGF-1?)
-I had un-descended testicles as a baby.
-I have had an MRI on my pituitary. No abnormalities. My prolactin was low anyway so I don’t think that was a concern.
Current symptoms
-Intense brain fog. Takes alot of disciplne to concentrate. (studying Bach Mech Eng and Bach Sci Physics, still maintaining GPA 6.5)
-Low energy. About to full asleep when I enter the gym in most occasions. Yawn between sets. I still get Pb’s consistency.
-No relief from sleep, even though I average 9-10 hours a night.
-Bouts of social withdrawal. I go through bouts of personality change. They occur regularly. For a dew days all I want to do is talk and go out. Few days after I don’t even want to get out of bed. I have always had this inconsistency. On these bad bouts, I am not really depressed, I just don’t want to talk.
-Very bad short term memory. It has been gradually becoming worse since the start of puberty (I remember being quick mentally). On really bad days I can’t read sentences or understand what people are saying to me. I usually slur my speech. Long term memory, especially for conceptual understanding is good.
Overall, looking for a doctor that can let me get a full blood test done so I can see where I am at everywhere. I want a controlled and logical treatment plan (Test. Cyp or enth + hCG + AI), however I becoming more hopeless at achieving this in my state as medicine in this country is highly restricted.
Questions:
-How the hell am I gaining strength and mass so quickly with Low Testosterone levels? Barbell row at 220 lb x 5 rep, leg press at 900 lb x 4, bench press 260 lb x 2. I am clearly gaining more then all my mates.
